event – WDWNT Archive

Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic Returns in 2014

WDWNT on September 30, 2014

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic returns for the fifth year to the Epcot Resort Area hotel October 31 – November 1, featuring more than 40 food and wine stations; 10 food and wine seminars and the opportunity to meet the masters behind the culinary magic.

Amidst a backdrop of live entertainment, celebratory surprises and even some spooky fun on Halloween night, guests will enjoy numerous opportunities to sip and savor all weekend as they stroll along the hotel’s causeway.

The two-night event offers an enticing array of culinary options from the hotel’s award-winning signature restaurants: Il Mulino New York Trattoria, Shula’s Steak House and Todd English’s bluezoo, as well as wine and spirits sampling from around the globe.

The food selections are as innovative as they are enticing, ranging from Italian arancini, marrying Carnaroli rice, Osso Buco and spicy tomato sauce, and the Asian-inspired grilled scallops with puffed rice, edamame and ponzu jelly; to barbeque handcrafted bacon, accented with sweet potato puree and caramelized onions. And, the hotel’s World Champion Pastry Chef, Laurent Branlard, provides intrigue on the sweeter side with finishing touches like a chocolate crunch Napoleon with hazelnut daquoise and chocolate whipped cream, and a lemon peel mousse dome with blueberry cream and lemon angel food cake at its center.

“We’re excited about the fifth annual Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic,” said the hotel’s Director of Food & Beverage, Tony Porcellini. “This year, we’ll present even more intriguing wine selections from around the globe; showcase our culinary creativity with exciting new dishes; expand on our seminar offerings, and introduce a beer garden! Our goal is to make this event bigger and better each year and have fun doing it!”

New to the event this year are:

A beer garden, featuring a variety of local and seasonal brews from around the world, alongside homemade bar snacks made by the hotel’s culinary experts. An upgraded ticket option provides guests access to the beer garden.
The Cheese Course seminar, which pays homage to fromage with a unique look at the art of wine and cheese pairing.
The Fine Art of Sushi and Sake seminar, which will teach guests how to identify quality sushi and sake flavor profiles and pair the two.
A hands-on Caipirinha seminar, where guests will learn both the traditional recipe and try some unique twists to this ever-popular Brazilian cocktail.
Tequila University, offering an in-depth look at tequila, its different styles, the artisans who make it and the secrets to making the perfect margarita.

Returning seminars include: pasta-making, Italian wines, modern mixology, beer, wine-blending and champagne. All seminars require separate tickets in addition to the causeway tickets, and space is limited.

To add to the event’s appeal, guests can enjoy a meet and greet with celebrity chef Todd English, the namesake of the hotel’s Todd English’s bluezoo restaurant. Guests can also meet and enjoy world-class desserts from the hotel’s very own executive pastry chef, Laurent Branlard, the world’s only two-time World Champion Pastry Chef. Barbeque fans shouldn’t miss the Cib’s Smoke House station for signature barbeque dishes from the hotel’s executive chef Robert Ciborowski.

With 17 restaurants and lounges, a distinguished culinary and beverage team and unmatched customer service, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel continually receives national recognition for its food and beverage program. The hotel boasts more than 70 certified wine sommeliers and 1,400 wine selections, including organic and rare vintages. The hotel’s restaurants are annual winners of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence including Shula’s Steak House, a three-time recipient of the exclusive Best of Award of Excellence.

Tickets to the Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic are available as part of a hotel package or individually. For more information or to book, please visit www.SwanDolphinFoodandWineClassic.com or call 1-800-227-1500.

What:

Fifth Annual Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic

Info:

The Fifth Annual Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel returns October 31 – November 1, showcasing a vast array of food and beverage options along with informative seminars conducted by members of the hotel’s award-winning food and beverage team. Highlighting the event is the appearance of celebrity chef Todd English.

The Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic consists of 10 food and beverage seminars, live entertainment, a new beer garden and more than 40 food and beverage stations, featuring appetizing selections from the hotel’s signature restaurants: Shula’s Steak House, Il Mulino New York Trattoria and Todd English’s bluezoo, as well as wines, beers and cocktails from around the world.

When:

Friday, October 31, and Saturday, November 1

5:30–9 p.m. (for seminar schedule, check www.SwanDolphinFoodandWineClassic.com)

Where:

Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel Causeway

1500 Epcot Resorts Blvd.

Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830

Ticket Information:

-One and two-night packages, including tickets to the outdoor festival for two and overnight accommodations, are available starting at $315 per night

– Advance purchase event-only tickets are available for $95 per person, including taxes and include unlimited food and beverage samples on the causeway

-Upgraded tickets that include the beer garden are $115 per person, including taxes

– Beverage seminars are $45 per person, per class including taxes

– Pasta making and pairing seminars are $60 per person including taxes

– For more information or to book, please visit www.SwanDolphinFoodandWineClassic.com or call 1-800-227-1500

Tim Alcoser’s Monstrous Summer All-Nighter Photo Report (20130524 – 20130525)

WDWNT on June 4, 2013

Disneyland News Today reporter Tim Alcoser attended the entire 24-hour Monstrous Summer event at the Disneyland Resort. For those who want to recap or who could not attend the event, there are plenty of pictures here for your enjoyment.

For the event, early guests were parked in the Bambi section of the Toy Story Parking lot, which is traditionally reserved for Cast Member parking only.

Crowds await the 6:00 AM entrance into Disney California Adventure. Time is 5:30 AM.

Camera crews await the 6:00 AM start of Disney’s Monstrous Summer.

Guests eagerly await the 6:00 AM opening of Disneyland.

Watch the Countdown to the Start of the Monstrous Summer All-Nighter at Disneyland.

A Monstrous Summer All-Nighter sign at the entrance to Main Street USA in Town Square.

Radio stations recorded live and were set up near It’s a Small World.

The first ride Tim went on was…

Refurbishment work was finally wrapped up at the New Orleans Square Train Station just in time for the event.

A look at the crowds streaming into Disneyland at approximately 7:00 AM. Very light.

However, most of the security checkpoints were bogged down for several hours after opening.

Nickelodeon cutting into Disney’s turf at Build-a-Bear Workshop?

New Monsters University posters at AMC Theaters in Downtown Disney

One of these monsters seems all too familiar…

The Oozma Kappa (OK) Frat.

DLNT Reporter Tim was very fortunate to secure a special screening pass to Monsters University at AMC Theaters in Downtown Disney. 199 other lucky Annual Passholders were granted access to see Monsters University nearly a full month before Release. More details on how this was done on the podcast later.

The quickest way to obtain a Monsters University Identification Card.

Before being granted access to the theater, all cell phones, cameras, camcorders and other equipment had to be checked in. Additionally, “Secret Service” style security guards used Metal detector wands on each guest to ensure all equipment was turned over. As an added caution, two guards were placed at each exit of the theater to constantly watch all guests in attendance.

Fantasyland Theater is now showing Mickey and the Magical Map several times daily at the Disneyland Resort.

Annual Passholders await entrance into Fantasyland Theater to see the first public showing of Mickey and the Magical Map.

The stage to Mickey and the Magical Map. Look for the complete show video on the website very soon.

The Sorcerer’s Hat.

A closer look at the stage.

A closer look at the new Fantasyland Theater.

Over to DCA now, a similar Monstrous Summer All-Nighter sign has been placed near Carthay Circle.

Red Car News Boys still going strong nearly one year later.

Mike and Sully act as Grand Marshall’s for the Pixar Play Parade along with a whole host of friends from Oozma Kappa (OK).

Everyone seems to be in school spirit. Even Roz.

The new Monsters University Meet and Greet is located between Mad T Party and the Hyperion Theater and is very well done.

On Radiator Springs Racers.
“Careful on the turns, Kid” ~Doc Hudson

As part of the Monstrous Summer All-Nighter, Monsters Inc. was shown several times throughout the day and night at Muppet Vision 3D Theater, including 1:00 AM and 3:00 AM. Many guests, evidently, found it a convenient place to take a nap.

Main Street USA at approximately 2:45 AM.

Sleeping Beauty Castle was basked in a brilliant white light to show off for a live taping of Good Morning America.

See the Good Morning America Live taping here: http://gma.yahoo.com/video/disneyland-stays-open-24-hours-130827269.html

Bright floodlights stream into the castle gates.

A closer look at the castle before the taping of Good Morning America.

Over in Toontown, guests had a Pajama Party with their favorite Disney Cartoon Characters and also enjoyed classic run Disney Cartoons on an oversized TV.