WDWNT Reporter Zach Larson took a quick trip to Downtown Disney and Disney’s Hollywood Studio yesterday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:
There’s something new at Team Mickey…
WDWNT Reporter Zach Larson visited the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios yesterday and has a plethora of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:
Work continues on the tram unloading area at the Transportation and Ticket Center
WDWNT Reporter Coral Rivera is back with a few quick updates from the Magic Kingdom & Epcot, so let’s take a look:
Halloween decorations up at the Magic Kingdom
Walt Disney World Resort and Chiquita Brands International announced an agreement July 29 that will bring premium, healthy fresh Chiquita and Fresh Express products to a number of retail points at Walt Disney World Resort and Disney Cruise Line. This new strategic alliance represents the commitment of both companies to provide consumers with healthy food options.
“We are pleased to work with Disney to offer healthy, nutritious Chiquita and Fresh Express products to the millions of Guests who visit Walt Disney World Resort as well as the Disney Cruise Line each year,” said Fernando Aguirre, Chiquita chairman and chief executive officer. “This alliance joins two companies with the shared commitment of providing quality experiences to consumers. This is yet another step in Chiquita’s efforts to improve world nutrition by extending distribution of our healthy fresh products, now to include the world’s favorite vacation destinations.”Throughout the Walt Disney World Resort and Disney Cruise Line, Chiquita and Fresh Express products will receive brand exclusivity within their respective categories and enjoy significant exposure to important consumer segments. The new agreement continues Chiquita’s expansion into distribution points beyond traditional channels as well as providing an opportunity for Chiquita to educate consumers about the benefits of proper nutrition.
“This alliance complements our company’s commitment to providing Guests with high-quality, healthy food options,” said George Aguel, senior vice president, Corporate Alliances for The Walt Disney Company.
As part of the agreement, Chiquita will serve as the sponsor of both the “Crush ‘n’ Gusher” at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, themed around a tropical fruit processing center, and the “Living with the Land” attraction at Epcot, where Chiquita will join forces with Disney to help teach Guests about nutrition. In another joint effort, Chiquita also will participate in the runDisney marathon series to help promote healthy living and active lifestyles. Beginning with the upcoming Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend in September, Chiquita will share with Guests and participants how its fresh and convenient products can help improve personal nutrition.
Chiquita and Fresh Express products add to Disney’s existing portfolio of nutritious snack items as well as its ongoing effort to promote healthy lifestyles and nutrition for kids and families. Chiquita bananas and Fresh Express salad items will be featured throughout Walt Disney Resort and offer visitors convenient low-calorie snacks.
The Walt Disney Company first pioneered groundbreaking nutritional guidelines in 2006 aimed at giving parents and children healthier eating options. Disney Magic of Healthy Living, a comprehensive initiative launched in 2010, builds on that commitment by inspiring kids and families to explore simple and fun ways to eat right and be active. Today, more than 85 percent of Disney’s licensed food portfolio consists of healthier options, including produce and low-fat dairy.
From Pam Brandon on the Disney Parks Blog:
On a hot afternoon, nothing is better than a shaved ice, or kakigori, from the little cart in front of the Japan pavilion at Epcot. A brain freeze is inevitable as we slurp the icy, sweet treat.
Now the cart, just reopened this week, has as new name – Kabuki Cafe – and new tastes, the kind of satisfying nibbles you can eat and still stroll.
Delicious salty-sweet tastes for munching and strolling World Showcase Lagoon.The shaved ice still is there, but now the menu includes edamame (steamed soybeans in the pod) and meal-in-a-bowl miso soup, plus sweet plum wine and sake. And smoothie and ice cream cups join the sweet line-up.
Believe it or not, the Magic Kingdom isn’t the only park with news to talk about. Adam Roth proves the point with a ton of photos from his latest trip to Epcot on Friday:
The Refreshment Port has a new menu
WDWNT Reporter Zach Larson visited three of the Walt Disney World theme parks for the 4th of July holiday, here are some newsworthy photos from his day:
World Showcase has some new mouse ear hats for each country
The San Angel Inn in the Mexico pavilion at Epcot has a slightly updated look and a revamped menu as it tries to keep up with the popular La Hacienda outside the main building. From Pam Brandon on the Disney Parks Blog:
The Mexico Pavilion in Epcot World Showcase offers four diverse culinary options: La Cava del Tequila, with over 130 varieties of tequila and small bites on the menu; La Hacienda de San Angel, with the spicy flavors of Southern Mexico’s street foods; La Cantina de San Angel for quick service and now a spruced-up San Angel Inn.
White tablecloths add a new casual elegance to the classic restaurant – the round tables are gone, replaced with long tables. New chairs, new flatware and pretty china all are inspired by the original San Angel Inn in Mexico City, according to Richard Debler, president of San Angel Inn, LLC.
We recently joined Richard and Epcot Executive Chef Jens Dahlmann for lunch in the spruced up space – a beautiful setting overlooking the water and passing boats in the pavilion’s ride-through attraction.
“It’s still a work in progress,” Richard said. They plan to add vintage photos that showcase the history of the San Angel Inn in Mexico City, which was owned for decades by his family and is still a busy restaurant. (The original dates back to 1692 and has hosted legions of famous diners.)
“Romantic, relaxing, sophisticated but not stuffy,” said Chef Jens. “The cuisine is more traditional and celebrates the original San Angel Inn.”
Sip a flight of tequilas or a signature margarita (blood orange or wild passion fruit are delicious) as you peruse the new menu – gueridon tequila service is new, too, with a fancy wheeled trolley that brings the tequila tableside. New appetizers include tlacoyos de chilorio, savory corn cakes topped with refried beans, pork, queso fresco, sour cream and green tomatillo sauce; and tacos de filete, grilled tenderloin on a soft flour tortilla with chipotle pepper sauce, scallions and avocados. Among new entrées are classic ensalada César (did you know the Caesar salad originated in Mexico?); pan-seared tilapia with huitlacoche (sometimes called the “Mexican corn truffle”); carne asada a la Tampiqueña, grilled tenderloin with cheese enchilada, black refried beans, red bell pepper, onion, Mexican rice and guacamole; and mahi mahi a la veracruzana, grilled fillet of mahi mahi with capers, olives, bell peppers, Spanish onions and tomatoes over poblano rice.
“Our guests are looking for authentic tastes,“ says Jens. “We haven’t toned down the true Mexican flavors.”
If you usually sacrifice desserts in a Mexican restaurant – don’t skip here. The elegant sweets are all new, and the one you don’t want to miss is crepas de cajeta, warm crepes with caramel sauce and topped with toasted almonds.
“We’ve created a restaurant that’s a little quieter, relaxing…a place to chill out from the heat and decompress,” says Richard.
San Angel Inn is open daily for lunch and dinner, for reservations call 407-WDW-DINE.
From Steven Miller on the Disney Parks Blog:
I started my Disney career as a merchandise host on the Walt Disney World College Program in the summer of 1997. I worked in several locations at Downtown Disney Pleasure Island including D-Zerts, a former merchandise store that once contained a “show kitchen.” That is a term we use to describe merchandise locations that offer both pre-packaged consumable items (think boxed candy) and freshly made sweet treats like cookies, coffee or other desserts (basically my ideal meal each day). You may have visited other show kitchen locations likeMarceline’s Confectionary at Downtown Disney District in California or Candy Cauldron at Downtown Disney Westside in Florida. Patrice Guy, product developer for consumables at Disney Theme Park Merchandise, recently shared with me some details about the new yummy treats appearing in the show kitchens this summer. Patrice only had to say three words to grab my attention – “Mickey Cake Pops!”
“Cake pops are hot items in the consumables marketplace,” explained Patrice. “I wanted a Mickey-shaped cake pop but faced the challenge of how to execute the design. I contacted the Candy Cauldron team in Florida and, for the past two months, we worked to create the new pixie-dusted pop. It’s delicious!”
Yes – it is delicious! I had the rough assignment of testing treats for this article. The pops come in a variety of colors and are currently being offered at Candy Cauldron and Goofy’s Candy Company at Downtown Disney in Florida. They will be introduced at additional park locations soon and eventually at the Disneyland Resort.
Patrice also shared with me some new cookies that are coming to locations in July. I love the “chocolate ear hat” decorations on them (and of course, that is what I ate first – just like a chocolate Easter bunny).
I love chocolate, particularly dark chocolate (which is supposedly good for my health but only in moderation), and it appears I’m not alone. Patrice introduced a new line of concession candies this past spring that featured a variety of boxes that had me laughing. My favorite box is “Please Stand Clear of My Chocolate,” but the most popular one has been the “Mood Chocolate.” Patrice mentioned a second wave of concession candy boxes featuring different artwork is currently in the design phase.
Meanwhile, I now have another place to get my candy fix. The World Showcase team recently set a “nostalgia candy” display in the Heritage Manor Gifts location at The American Adventure. Wow! There were all sorts of candy that I recall enjoying as a child at my grandparent’s house.
After writing this article, I think I should contact Pam Brandon to see if she has any new meals to try. I’m sure there is a delicious one waiting for me when Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina, Hawai‘i, opens in August. I probably should eat something besides all these yummy treats (or not).
WDWNT Reporter Zach Larson visited most of the Walt Disney World Resort on Monday and took a TON of newsworthy photos to share with us:
Let’s take the monorail to the Magic Kingdom
