Disney4me

Disneyland park is bustling this morning with guests kicking off the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration during our 24-Hour Event. Donning their limited-edition commemorative ear hats, guests streamed along the Rivers of America to enjoy breakfast, coffee and their favorite attractions. These visitors from Australia jumped for joy to celebrate 60 years of the Happiest Place on Earth. And many guests are glowing already in their

Rob Gronkowski, tight end for Super Bowl champion New England Patriots, stands outside the Revenge of the Mummy ride at Universal Studios theme park on Friday. Gronkowski rode the indoor roller coaster during his Orlando visit. View the full article

Lots of guests visit one of our amazing restaurants at dinnertime when visiting a Disney Park, but there are lots of quick options to enjoy too. I decided to head over to https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/magic-kingdom/gastons-tavern/?CMP=SOC-DPFY15Q3CheersToMeDinnerAtMK0002' target="_blank">Gaston

The hallways of the Orlando VA Medical Center at Lake Nona are slowly making way for veterans instead of workers with hard hats. View the full article

When she was growing up on the outskirts of Stillwater, Minn., Pamela Cahanes' parents taught her to be trusting. View the full article

We received so many votes in our Disneyland Resort lunch poll, we couldn

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WINTER GARDEN

New, prehistoric residents have moved into Jurassic Park at Universal's Islands of Adventure. View the full article

Two MAJOR events are kicking off today at Disney Parks on both coasts

Remember the Margarita Bar that was at Downtown Disney Marketplace? Great news! It’s been given a new look and a new name…and voila, Dockside Margaritas is born! Learn About: Dockside MargaritasDowntown Disney Disney World RestaurantsWe first told you about the new-but-not-quite new spot a while back. And ever since then, I’ve been eager to drop by and check out the new scene. So on a sweltering day last week, that’s just what I did. Let’s have a look. Dockside MargaritasI gotta say it — it looks awesome. In keeping with the new Florida-forward Disney Springs theme, Dockside Margaritas looks like a little stand you’d find in the middle of a citrus grove. But they’re selling stuff that’s waaaaaay better than orange juice. Dockside Margaritas at Disney Springs Marketplace The distressed, faded sign gives the spot built-in age. But the bright citrus green and yellow palette keeps it feeling fresh. Dockside Margaritas — Other side The open-air feeling of the bar lends to that “grove stand” feel. You can walk up and order from three of the four sides. And regardless of where you are, you always have a great view of Village Lake. Overhead Bar Menu and the View. You Can Access the Bar From Three Sides As you approach Dockside from the front — meaning the side that faces the shops, not the water — the largest area of seating is just to the right of the building. And I think that it’s really beautifully done as well. A pergola overhead gives a little protection, but still allows for plenty of sunshine. Strands of overhead lights and a stand set up for a musician hint at a scene that promises to be relaxed but festive as the sun goes down. Seating Area I can’t wait to meet friends here at night for a drink (or two). Another View of the Patio Looking back onto Dockside from the larger seating area, you also note that there is bar seating. Upon closer inspection, you see two bars actually — you can face the bar and chat with the friendly staff, or stare out over the water. Waterfront Bar Seating View of the Pedestrian Bridge But at this point, after much deliberation, it was time to settle on a drink. So let’s take a look at the options. And this is where it gets good. While the old spot was fine, just fine, for ordering a handful of tequila-based drinks and a couple of other options, things are way more interesting here. In addition to several interesting margaritas, check out the Florida Draft Beer options! There are also some exciting beer choices available in cans — note the http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/brewers-collection-2014-epcot-food-and-wine-festival/' target="_blank">Sch

As we mark a time of remembrance this Memorial Day weekend, we also look forward to fun celebrations with family and friends as Summer gets underway! And if you’re like me, that means one thing — vacation is JUST around the corner! Whether you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World during the busy Summer season, or you have your eyes set on a Fall Food and Wine Festival Trip or a Holiday Extravaganza, we know one thing for sure: you need to make some plans. Believe it or not, it’s already time to start making

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There is so much going on right now in the realm of Disney Food News. Downtown Disney is morphing into Disney Springs right before our eyes. Menus are changing as Disney gears up for the busy Summer season. And the 20th Epcot Food and Wine Festival is JUST around the corner! So there’s never been a better — or more important — time for dedicated Disney Food Fans to be plugged in to the very best source for all of your Disney Food News. And that’s why you should join the DFB Newsletter today! But AJ, Do I Really Need to Join the DFB Newsletter?Yes! We both know it: there’s SO much happening at Disney. And sometimes, especially when it comes to breaking news like Free Dining Offers or Epcot Food and Wine Special Event scheduling, it’s important to get the news as soon as possible. And that’s where the DFB Newsletter comes in. Covering all that’s happening at all of the Disney Parks is a tall order.

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Well, look who’s joined the Star Wars Weekends party

Are YOU kicking off the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration by spending a FULL 24 HOURS with Mickey and the gang in Disneyland and Disney California Adventure?! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/disneyland-24-hours.jpg'>

A 10-year-old girl drowned in a swimming pool aboard a Norwegian Cruise Line ship off the Carolinas and the ship immediately sailed to a nearby port in Florida, the U.S. Coast Guard said Monday. View the full article

The Osceola County Commission unanimously voted to send the development plan for Deseret Ranch to the state for final consideration — but without most of the additional land protections recommended by an independent review. View the full article

Florida education officials are blaming a cyberattack for another round of problems with online testing. View the full article

The Methodist church that dismissed two gay day-care workers said Monday that it has reached an agreement with the women. View the full article

Grown-ups are playing dress-up in a fashion trend called "Disneybounding," which allows fans to display devotion without donning a Cinderella gown or a Buzz Lightyear spacesuit. View the full article

We’re gearing up to have the Coolest Summer Ever at Walt Disney World Resort, and what better way to kick it off than with a 24-Hour party at Magic Kingdom Park? GalleryFuel Your 24-Hour Party Fun at Magic Kingdom Park on May 22 view allI have a few tips for finding great bites during the 24-Hour Party at Magic Kingdom Park: For breakfast, you can’t go wrong with a cup of coffee and a pastry (or a cupcake; I don’t judge) from Main Street Bakery. A favorite for me are the waffles from Sleepy Hollow in Liberty Square, delicious served topped with strawberries and whipped cream or as a ham and cheese omelet sandwich—either way, you can’t go wrong. Cupcakes celebrating the 24-Hour Party will be available at Main Street Bakery and Gaston’s Tavern. Since we’re kicking off the Coolest Summer Ever, everything from cotton candy to our lemonade is turning blue! For lunch, I love the Pot Roast Macaroni and Cheese or Bacon Cheeseburger Macaroni and Cheese from The Friar’s Nook. Or, still in Fantasyland, I enjoy watching the ‘it’s a small world’ boats drift by in Pinocchio Village Haus while enjoying one of their delicious flatbreads (the Caprese is my favorite—I love the juicy tomatoes and balsamic drizzle). Hang loose during the Tomorrowland beach party, starting at 4 p.m., and grab a snack at The Lunching Pad, featuring a tropical watermelon lemonade, a special gourmet hot dog topped with pulled pork and cole slaw and a crisped rice treat shaped like a flip-flop available only during the beach party. For dinner, ample seating and air conditioning can’t be beat—it’s the best way to recharge. Try the new Deluxe Chicken Sandwich with pepper jack cheese, bacon and chipotle mayo at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café, or try one of the new Rice Bowls (choose from beef or veggie) at Tortuga Tavern. In Liberty Square, the Seafood Mac and Cheese—cheesy goodness made with lobster and shrimp—and Chicken Pot Pie from Columbia Harbor House hit the mark for comfort food (both entrees are only available after 4 p.m.). Looking for dessert? There’s nothing like watching Wishes from Main Street with a sundae from Plaza Ice Cream Parlor in hand—be sure to try Olaf’s take on this sweet treat! If dessert isn’t your thing, and you’re looking for a late-night snack instead, give the gourmet waffle fries from Golden Oak Outpost a try. For the night owls who make it to the wee hours of the morning, Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café will offer a breakfast plate loaded up with crispy bacon, fluffy scrambled eggs and herb-crusted roasted red skin potatoes. My fellow Disney Parks Blog author, Pam Brandon, will be giving you east-coast food updates on May 22, and I’ll be live-blogging the Disneyland Diamond Celebration Kickoff in California! What are you planning to eat and drink during the 24-hour Party? Let us know in the comments below. Fuel Your 24-Hour Party Fun at Magic Kingdom Park on May 22 by Rachel Brent: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

OCALA — Acting on a tip about a cache of missiles and a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, Marion County authorities said Monday that they might have thwarted a series of attacks against the Eustis Police Department, a church and a youth camp. View the full article

With temperatures starting to warm up, it’s time to start thinking about your summer vacation to Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa! Not too long ago, I wrote an article on the Disney Parks Blog about the benefits of staying in a 1-Bedroom Villa in the first “A Home Away From Home” installment. Today, I’m excited to continue the series with an inside look at the 2-Bedroom Villas at Aulani! First and foremost, the 2-Bedroom Villa is the perfect option for larger families to relax, hang out and of course, sleep! I recommend picking up a few grocery items when you arrive from K?lepa’s Store and preparing a meal or two in the kitchen. Also, the cozy living room is the perfect spot to curl up with your ‘ohana and watch a Disney classic film like “The Lion King” rented from the Pau Hana Room. The spacious Villa offers over 1,100 square feet and comfortably sleeps up to nine guests. At the end of the evening, your family can head to Never Land with these sleeping arrangements: two resting in the master bedroom’s king bed, four sleeping in the second bedroom’s two queen beds and in the living room, three more guests stretching out in the queen sleeper sofa and the sleeper chair! Like the 1-Bedroom Villa, don’t worry about packing extra clothes because a washer and dryer is available inside the room! Other amenities available in a 2-Bedroom Villa include: a whirlpool tub, 3 flat-panel televisions and DVD players and every kitchen appliance needed to prepare a home-cooked meal! Are you ready for your Hawaiian getaway? A Home Away From Home at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa: 2-Bedroom Villa by Tyler Slater: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article