Three New Italian Eateries Announced for Disney Springs, Walt Disney World

WDWNT on November 2, 2017

Three new eateries for The Landing at Disney Springs were announced this morning by Orlando dining columnist Scott Joseph on his blog.

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The new venues are Maria & Enzo’s, an Italian trattoria; Enzo’s Hideaway, a speakeasy; and Pizza Ponte, a fast-casual concept. All three are being developed by the Patina Restaurant Group and will be located in the Edison complex across from STK Orlando.

The trattoria occupies an abandoned airline terminal from the 1930’s in its Disney Springs backstory. Decor will feature air travel memorabilia and maps, while the dining room will have 50-foot ceilings and a view of Lake Buena Vista. The menu will have a Sicilian accent, with Arancini di Carne (rice balls stuffed with meat), Melanzane Parmigiana (eggplant Parmesan), and handmade pastas served tableside. Other highlights will include fresh fish, steaks and chops. This menu sounds somewhat similar to the now shuttered Portobello restaurant at Disney Springs…

Enzo’s Hideaway occupies supposed rum-rummer tunnels and is accessible through the interior of Maria & Enzo’s. Enzo’s Hideaway will feature Prohibition-style cocktails but will also serve a menu of more casual Italian dishes. This space was originally going to be the Neverland Tunnels and Walt’s Lounge, but Disney eventually handed the space over to the third-party Patina.

Pizza Ponte will be a fast-casual dining concept with pastries, pizza, Italian sandwiches, and espresso. It will feature Bomboloni, or Italian doughnuts, Triangolo (stuffed pizza bread) and Porchetta, as well as pizza by the slice.

All three restaurants are slated to open this holiday season.

PHOTOS: Ugly Christmas Sweater Mouse Ear Headband Released at Disney Parks, The Next Social Media Craze?

WDWNT on October 25, 2017

With most of the Disney fandom still stuck on the Rose Gold Mouse Ear Headband craze, it seems as though another item may be reaching that level of popularity this holiday season…

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Released this week and already selling very fast is the Ugly Christmas Sweater Mouse Ear Headband. They retail for $24.99 each and we found a mostly empty rack of the item at Disney’s Days of Christmas store at Disney Springs just last night.

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The ears are rather “unique”, featuring an ugly Christmas sweater pattern with Mickey and Minnie Mouse icons between two big red “pom pom” ears. While I don’t necessarily understand the popularity, they are already selling fast despite little to no publicity.

If those are a little too weird for you, there are two much more normal, fairly cute mouse ear head bands also available this season.

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So, will you be buying this “ugly sweater” mouse ear headband, any of the more normal styles, or none at all?

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Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Has Added Four New Retailers

WDWNT on October 25, 2017

Over the past few weeks three new retailers have opened at Disney Springs, and in just a few weeks a fourth retailer will be joining.

Bowes Signature Soy Candles is now open in the Marketplace Co-Op and sells tons of uniquely scented candles all made from 100% soy wax, and with eco-friendly cotton wicks. There are over 100 candles to choose from, and they’re all hand-poured and labelled locally in Orlando. Guests are also able to create their own scents, so it’s just a matter of time before we start seeing people’s attempts at Dole Whip scented candles popping up on their Twitter and Instagram pages.

Next up we have Swings N’ Things, a new kiosk located near Cookes of Dublin, which specializes in hammocks and porch swings. They have a model for guests to try out, which you can get a look at below. Swings and hammocks range from $40-$400, so I guess that’s one way you could spend your money.

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This next one is kind of like cheating because this retailer has been at Disney Springs for a while, but Savannah Bee has now moved into a larger space near The Ganachery. This is your one stop shop for all things honey. They sell a variety of honeys, as well as health and beauty products made using beeswax.

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Finally, rinse bath & body co. will be opening soon, completing the latest addition of new shopping destinations for guests visiting Disney Springs. The kiosk will be located next to Paddlefish, and feature a collection of natural products that are made in Monroe, GA. Products include deodorants, natural oil roll-ons, bath bombs, as well as their Peppofoot collection.

It looks like Disney Springs is getting a lot of great places to shop for stocking stuffers this holiday, except for maybe the hammock kiosk. Hammocks don’t make good stocking stuffers.

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FIRST LOOK: Concept Art for the NBA Experience at Disney Springs, Opens Summer 2019

WDWNT on October 25, 2017

Disney today provided a first look at the new NBA Experience at Walt Disney World Resort coming to Disney Springs.

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The building design is inspired by NBA arenas around the country. “We are inspired by the design of the new building and the energy that it will bring to the West Side of Disney Springs,” said Senior Vice President of Disney Springs and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Maribeth Bisienere. The state-of-the-art space will include interactive games and competitions, immersive experiences, a retail store and an adjacent restaurant.

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NBA President, Global Partnerships Sal LaRocca, recently commented on the project, sharing, “This one-of-a-kind experience is sure to be enjoyed by basketball and Disney fans of all ages who visit Disney Springs from around the world.”

The NBA Experience will open on the West Side in Summer 2019. This is just one of many ongoing projects in the continuing expansion of Disney Springs.

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PHOTOS: DisneyQuest Demolition Ramps Up for New NBA Experience at Disney Springs

WDWNT on October 25, 2017

With the concept art released yesterday for the new NBA Experience at Disney Springs, it is quite the coincidence that the most violent phase of the Disney Quest demolition so far began yesterday afternoon:

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A view from the Orange Garage shows that most of this side of the building is gone now.

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The question now is if any of the steel frame will remain to be used or is this a total building demolition.

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If you look close enough, you can see the Ventureport area, with many of the rings that circled around it still in place.

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PHOTO REPORT: Disney Springs 10/22/17 (Hatbox Ghost, Action Figures, New Apparel, Olaf’s Frozen Adventure, ETC.)

WDWNT on October 25, 2017

Our latest photo report brings us to Disney Springs for a shopping trip. Let’s see what’s new and exciting…

Welcome to Disney Springs

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I guess guests were getting lost in the Coca-Cola store, because they added some signage on the long walk upstairs.

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The October Drink of the Month at the rooftop bar is the Nightmare on Lake Buena Vista.

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We ended up ordering it and it was pretty decent.

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D Living in the Town Center is closed until next month for a mysterious remodeling.

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There are some awesome new desserts for the season at Amorette’s Patisserie. We’ll have a review for you later this week.

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Olaf socks anyone?

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Some new Alex and Ani Mickey and Minnie Mouse bracelets for sale at World of Disney.

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New character sweatshirts and hoodies for sale.

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They all feature characters in a patchwork style.

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New couples’ shirts that will be awkward if you break up.

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The new “Comeback Kid” line celebrates Mickey Mouse in what I equate to an early 90’s style.

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The lining of the jacket is pretty awesome.

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A Space Mountain shirt has joined the line of attraction shirts we told you about a few days ago.

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As part of the large lines of classic Mickey and Minnie merchandise just released at the parks, there happens to be Mickey and Minnie articulated action figures.

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Some fantastic new Haunted Mansion and “it’s a small world” art at the Wonderground Gallery in the Marketplace Co-Op.

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Bowes Signature Soy Candles is now open in the Marketplace Co-Op and sells tons of uniquely scented candles all made from 100% soy wax, and with eco-friendly cotton wicks. There are over 100 candles to choose from, and they’re all hand-poured and labelled locally in Orlando.

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Some Glow in the Dark phone cases can be made at D-Tech on Demand in the Marketplace Co-Op.

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Joining the other attraction-related Christmas stockings is the Hatbox Ghost with The Haunted Mansion (or a generic haunted house).

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Pins related to Olaf’s Frozen Adventure have been released. All of the other items at the parks can be found at your local Disney Store.

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PHOTOS: Haunted Mansion “Stretching Room Parasol Tightrope Girl” Dress Coming Soon to Disney Parks

WDWNT on October 25, 2017

The Dress Shop in the Marketplace Co-Op at Disney Springs is currently previewing a new dress from Her Universe inspired by The Haunted Mansion…

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The dress is inspired by the “Parasol Tightrope Girl” who appears in one of the stretching room portraits in the classic Disney Parks attraction. She famously walks a tightrope above a vicious crocodile in one of the four portraits in the ride. This dress, as well as another Mansion design and the Mad Tea Party tea cup dress, were announced previously at Star Wars Celebration 2017 in April of this year.

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The dress itself will retail for somewhere in the $190-200 range, while the cape will be sold separately at a yet to be disclosed price.

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The dress is set to be released sometime in November 2017.

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PHOTOS: Select “American Adventure” 50 State Phone Cases Now Available at D-Tech on Demand

WDWNT on October 25, 2017

As part of the American Adventure 50 State character collection we showed off earlier this week, there are now select state phone cases available through D-Tech on Demand at the Marketplace Co-Op in Disney Springs.

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The states available include:

  • Florida
  • California
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • New Jersey
  • Illinois
  • North Carolina
  • New York
  • Ohio
  • Texas
  • Pennsylvania
  • Virginia
  • Georgia

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More states should be available eventually. Strange enough, none of these pieces denote The American Adventure, despite clearly using the art from the collection.

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I’m not sure that “Always Exciting” is how I would describe New Jersey… 😉

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The phone cases cost $29.99 each minus any personalization options.

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REVIEW: Pumpkin Creme Brûlée & Seasonal Mickey Mousse at Amorette’s Patisserie, Disney Springs

WDWNT on October 25, 2017

For the Fall season, Amorette’s Patisserie at Disney Springs if offering up a number of special treats…

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Pumpkin Creme Brûlée ($6.00)

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Pumpkin custard with brûléed sugar chantilly cream and chocolate garnish.

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My enjoyment of pumpkin desserts usually begins and ends with pumpkin pie, but I think I loved this more than any pumpkin pie I have ever had in my life. First of all, it is made when you order it and not “brûléed” until you do. I feel like this makes a big difference and it’s a nice touch to make the dessert feel special to a guest. Whether you like pumpkin or not, I feel like this is worth a shot, so hurry and get it while it is here.

Mickey Mousse ($8.00)

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Chocolate Chiffon Cake, Dark Chocolate Mousse and White Chocolate Mousse

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While it is only decorated specially for the season and not any different in flavor from the usual, the Mickey Mousse is quite enjoyable still. Again, my number one choice would be the creme brûlée, but this isn’t a bad option either, especially if you are looking for chocolate. The mousse is light and airy and the cake isn’t super dense, but is rich in flavor.

For our thoughts on other Amorette’s desserts past and present, please check out our original review.

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