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Law enforcement remained on alert in Waco, Texas, early Monday after a deadly shootout between rival biker gangs shook up the community, and attempts at intimidation ensured officers will stay on the streets, police said. View the full article

Coast Guard crews found a missing 45-year-old man alive and well Sunday night after spending more than five hours in the water near Daytona Beach – without a life jacket. View the full article

In the end "Mad Men" contrasted hard-won personal happiness with the glossy version found in commercials. View the full article

MOUNT DORA — Randy Wiseman was strolling downtown for his morning exercise recently when it dawned on him that something was missing. The oak trees were gone. View the full article

A Central Florida developer has plans for a $150 million community of shops, hotels and condos on 60 acres of lakeside property facing West Colonial Drive in Ocoee. View the full article

Deseret Ranches and Osceola County's vision for accommodating a half-million residents on an enormous piece of ranch east of Orlando has triggered an environmental dispute that could be tough for even the state to solve. View the full article

Welcome to the Rebel Hangar: A Star Wars Lounge Experience! Rebel Hangar: A Star Wars Lounge Experience In conjunction with Star Wars Weekends, an entire half of Backlot Express at Disney’s Hollywood Studios has been completely transformed. Entrance to Rebel Hangar Backlot Express transformed into Rebel Hangar From now through June 14th, instead of entering the standard theming of the movie production warehouse, guests will walk into a long-abandoned building that once served as a busy spaceport in the Sullust system. The story of the Rebel Hangar printed in the menu From 4:00 – 9:00 pm daily throughout the run of the Hangar, weary galactic travelers now have the opportunity to take a moment to relax and enjoy Star Wars-themed food among the “discarded remnants” from over 100 planets. Rebel Hangar atmosphere Rebel Hangar atmosphere Rebel Hangar atmosphere Our Advance Dining Reservation to hangout in the Hangar wasn’t until 8:50 pm — 10 minutes prior to the final seating. So I took some time during the day to check out the spot, arriving somewhere around 1:00 pm. That’s right — day guests coming in for the typical Counter Service menu at Backlot Express were able to enjoy much of the atmosphere, too! Part of Backlot Express transformed Backlot Express transformed I, for one, was taken aback by the transformation. I hadn’t realized anything more could be tucked into Backlot Express, already so well-themed for its purposes. But lo and behold… Rebel Hangar atmosphere Rebel Hangar atmosphere Rebel Hangar atmosphere It was a blast spotting ways in which the typical Backlot “props” were incorporated into the Hangar theme. Backlot props redecorated Backlot props redecorated Backlot props redecorated You can see where “decay” has settled into this space in the many years since it last served its original purpose as a spaceport. Decaying spaceport “Discarded” helmet It appears a graffiti artist has even taken advantage of the abandoned spot . Graffiti wall Graffiti wall Hidden Mickey Even the tabletops were themed accordingly, adding to the fun. Table seating Tabletop decor Tabletop decor A photo backdrop has also been added to help capture your time in the Hangar. Photo backdrop Inside, the Hangar theme takes over the main entrance of the Backlot Express through to the “Paint Department” seating area of the regular operations. Star Wars themeing ends once you arrive at the Counter Service ordering stations, which remain in service for the rest of the day even when the Hangar portion switches over to the Lounge Experience at 4 pm. (Entry for regular counter service eats is through what is typically the back of the restaurant, and seating is available in the stunt room area, not themed for Star Wars.) Outdoor seating is also available. And while that can potentially give guests a chance to enjoy being seated while watching the super fun “Jedi Training Academy” next door depending on where they are sitting, the bulk of the details and sight gags are indoors. Outdoor tabletops and entrance to Rebel Hangar My husband and I returned in the evening to check in at the outdoor post pictured above for our 8:50 pm reservation. We were informed they were running about 15 minutes behind, but the buzzer that was presented to us at check-in went off just before 9 pm. Rebel Hangar Buzzer Evening entrance past the wing of an X-wing After inquiring about which galaxy my husband and I came from, our host walked us to our table and assured us that all of the servers at the Rebel Hangar are humanoids, so communication wouldn’t be an issue ;). While I can’t say we encountered any dangerous smugglers or otherwise fearsome creatures in the Hangar (whew!), we did enjoy some very fun and enthusiastic Cast Members through the host and our table server. (For guests interested in Star Wars character interaction, the Jedi Mickey Character Dinner at Hollywood and Vine and Star Wars Galactic Dine-In Breakfast at Sci-Fi Dine-In Restaurant have returned to Hollywood Studios again this year.) The primary things I noticed that had changed since our day visit, aside from the addition of a few more props, were that the tables were set with dishes and cutlery like a Table Service restaurant, and the music had changed over to jazzy, lounge-esque versions of music from Star Wars. Tabletop Upon being seated, we were presented with menus. Rebel Hangar menu After all, intergalactic travel can make you pretty hungry! Let’s see what’s up for grabs at the Hangar, my fellow humanoids… EatsThe menu at the Rebel Hangar focuses on small plates… with a Star Wars twist, of course! Fans will enjoy choosing from items like Pilot’s Pommes Frites, Ilum Fruit and Cheese Sabers, and a Trio of Thermal Detonators. Small plates menu Small plates menu Beverage options include beer and wine. Beer and Wine menu But the unique theme continues more with the Specialty Cocktails. Specialty Cocktails Dessert offerings are a Yoda Key Lime Cake and a Trio of Star Wars Mini Cupcakes. Dessert menu Now, $16.99 may seem a lot for the trio (miniature versions of the character cupcakes you can find at Counter Service spots throughout the park — we’ll be checking out the new Jabba the Hutt Cupcake soon!). However, they come to you in the souvenir Han Solo in Carbonite popcorn bucket, otherwise available at Tusken Fridge Raiders inside Darth’s Mall (with popcorn, instead, of course). Because we already had some idea of the food and beverage choices from when Disney announced this new dining experience, I think I was most excited to see the final item on the menu, which was a happy surprise: Blue Milk!! Non-Alcoholic Specialties menu YES!!!! As you might anticipate, the added flavor to the milk is of the “blue raspberry” icee variety. While I thought that worked quite well with the Blue Milk Ice Cream served at Jedi Mickey’s Character Dinner, what it did in this case was make it taste like “after the cereal” milk — you know, the way milk tastes at the end of your bowl of Fruity Pebbles or Boo Berry. Blue Milk! I can’t say it was the best beverage complement to a meal, but really… WHO CARES!? It felt so cool to be drinking the same milk as Luke Skywalker that I’m glad I got to have it at least once. It’s totally made for great photo opps. The Dagobah Swamp Juice, on the other hand, was a tasty mix of Midori, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, and Sweet-and-Sour topped with Lemon-Lime Fomz. With a definite emphasis on the sweet-and-sour, this one delivered a pucker! Dagobah Swamp Juice The $14.75 price tag has much to do, however, with one obvious addition: the X-wing Starfighter glow clip. X-Wing glow cube While the X-wing is pictured in the menu, our server actually gave us a choice of three items: a Millennium Falcon glow cube, a Death Star glow cube, or the X-Wing glow clip. It’s worth noting that you can get the Millennium Falcon or the Death Star at any of the pop-up bars around Hollywood Studios during Star Wars Weekends (we’ll be taking a closer look at those in an upcoming review), but the X-Wing is reserved for the Rebel Hangar. Like its counterpart cubes, it can change color if you set it to do so. Same X-wing glow cube Because of the emphasis on small plates, all of our food arrived at the same time (with the exception of dessert). And while we were eager to check out everything, one dish stole all of our attention right away: Chips and Sith. Chips and Sith Wow. WOW. Not only does this Darth Maul-themed dish look amazing, the chickpea and lemon hummus was topped with a roasted red pepper coulis which provided not only the base of the “face,” but it also delivered just the right amount of heat, with the black sesame dust creating Darth Maul’s signature tattoos adding a bit of unexpected texture. Closeup on Sith hummus Hummus underneath the coulis That’s one delicious Sith! Before moving on, I just have to share this close-up of the perfectly creepy, radish-ringed “eyes.” They were simultaneously unsettling and oddly intriguing — not unlike Darth Maul himself. Creepy eyes! While not quite so intricately themed, the Lightsaber Bites were a yummy addition nonetheless. Lightsaber Bites with house made chips They are knockwurst sausage corn dogs, served with a honey mustard sauce and house made chips. The corn batter was fried to a crispy golden brown and was delicious with the sausage, but what stood out to me here was the portion. You receive five nicely sized corn dogs along with the chips, and while the Hangar’s dishes are all considered “small plates,” this is definitely a meal-maker. Lightsaber Bites Lightsaber Bites After the Chips and Sith, the Lightsaber Bites came in as our second favorite. We turn next to The Dark Fried Chicken and Waffles: an entree-sized serving of Chicken Breast Nuggets and barbecue sauce paired with two miniature Darth Vader Waffles and maple syrup. The Dark Fried Darth Vader Waffles with maple syrup This dish was fine — I always enjoy the chicken nuggets at Disney, and the waffles were served warm and well-prepared (though I felt like some butter on the side would have been a nice touch). But there was nothing super unusual here, aside from the decorative waffles. Coming in at $14.99 this was our most expensive dish, and I felt like the other dishes we had provided a better overall value. Our last plate was The Sith and The Jedi Slider Sampler. The Sith is represented by barbecue pulled brisket with coleslaw while The Jedi is barbecue pulled chicken with arugula. The Sith and The Jedi Slider Sampler Of the two, I have to go with the Dark Side, because the pulled brisket provides more of a rich flavor punch than the chicken, along with the cool tang of the slaw. I thought the dark bread might be tough, but even though the flavor was nothing out of the ordinary, the texture was fine. The Sith Slider The Jedi Slider We capped off our time with the Yoda Key Lime Cake. He comes complete with a small white chocolate lightsaber. Yoda Key Lime cake Closeup on Yoda I wondered if the “gelatinous green goo” that provides Yoda’s signature green color would be a distraction to my enjoyment, but it wasn’t. I barely noticed it. This was just a smooth, creamy filling between the thin yellow cake layers with a really nice citrusy burst of flavor — just what it needed to be. I took the picture below to show the layers, but obviously they’re no different than what you can see from the original plating. Layers of the Yoda Key Lime Cake The lesson here is that Yoda-shaped food has this in common with Mickey-shaped food: it’s ears off first for this little guy, too! No, we didn’t go for the Trio of Star Wars Cupcakes; primarily because with the addition of the Jabba the Hutt Cupcake this year alongside the Darth Vader Chocolate and Peanut Butter Cupcake and the Yoda Chocolate and Hazelnut Cupcake, we’d already tried them all! Look for our Jabba review coming soon . And so we wrap up a fun night at the Hangar! OverallI was more than pleasantly surprised with our late evening stop at the Rebel Hangar. Considering the theme is working within an already established space, I felt like the Rebel Hangar really was transformed into its own unique experience as much as possible. And as far as the food, the small plates that we tried struck me much closer to entree-size than I anticipated, providing bang for the buck. Though you may not remember the flavors as much as the themeing of the food (many of the items are essentially dressed-up counter service options), the dishes are tasty as well as fun. Now, with a run-time of just one month, the Advance Dining Reservations filled up quickly — at least for the initial openings, which were limited to Star Wars Weekends (Fridays through Sundays only). It does appear that the addition of weekday openings has helped to meet more of the demand. If you were able to get a reservation, I think you’ll find that the Rebel Hangar is a nice cherry on top of the sundae that is Star Wars Weekends. But let’s say an Advance Dining Reservation for your planned day of visiting Hollywood Studios somehow eluded you. Have hope, my friends… After all, deep down, aren’t we all hoping that the Rebel Hangar is really just a dress rehearsal for our dream Cantina if Star Wars Land is ever announced for Hollywood Studios? If the Rebel Hangar is even a teeny-tiny indication of what that could be, it’s already amazing to consider it. Regardless, I already hope they bring this experience back to Star Wars Weekends next year. It was worth the stroll through a few galaxies to get there. Will you be visiting the Rebel Hangar this year? If so, what are you most looking forward to? Please let us know with a comment below! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com!Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on TwitterBecome a Facebook Fan Related posts: News! “Rebel Hangar — A Star Wars Lounge Experience” Reservations Available NOW Guest Review: Darth Vader Cupcake at Star Wars Weekends in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Review: Star Wars Weekends Darth Vader and Yoda Cupcakes View the full article

The confetti cannons fired for the fifth time as the final whistle sounded on Sunday night, one last glittering blast of celebration for a win that was a long time coming. View the full article

If you have young kids, a 24-hour event might not seem like a natural fit for you, but there are actually a lot of activities during the 24-hour kickoff to the Coolest Summer Ever at Magic Kingdom Park that are perfect for little ones. If your kids are anything like mine, they are often awake at dawn and ready to go. Next Friday, May 22, when they’re up before the sun, you can bring them to our party – which starts at 6 a.m. at the Magic Kingdom Train Station with Elsa, Anna, Kristoff and Olaf. Throughout the day, there are all kinds of special events that kids will love: Disney Channel stars will appear as Grand Marshals for the “Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade” at 3 p.m.Disney Channel Club Chill will open in Tomorrowland at 4 p.m. with DJ Frost leading a dance party with music videos from Disney Channel stars.In between all of the one-day-only fun, be sure to use the My Disney Experience app to select FastPasses for favorite attractions and character meet & greets. You can also use the app in the park to find things like attraction height requirements and even the nearest restrooms – a must for potty training parents! If you’re going to stay for the amazing Wishes fireworks show in the evening, be sure to pack snacks and pjs to keep little ones comfortable. But don’t worry if you forget something, our Baby Care Centers are fully stocked with everything from diapers and training pants to toddler food and sunscreen. #DisneyKids: 24-hours of Fun for Little Ones at Walt Disney World by Jamie Langdon: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

Star Wars Weekends 2015 began this week at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and we’re celebrating here on the Disney Parks Blog with new artwork, images and stories. Through June 14, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will feature some of your favorite Star Wars characters as well as the “Legends of the Force” celebrity motorcade, the all-new “Star Wars: Rebels” show at Theater of the Stars, “Symphony in the Stars” fireworks and much more. Shawn shared a few more experiences not to be missed this year, including a visit to the Rebel Hangar: A Star Wars Lounge Experience. Check his original story for more details and list of character appearances. Star Wars Weekends continues Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through June 14, 2015. We also announced the names of several new high-profile tenants coming Disney Springs at the Walt Disney World Resort, including fashion retailers Uniqlo, Zara, Tommy Bahama and Lilly Pulitzer. When work is completed in 2016, Disney Springs will have expanded to more than 150 shopping, dining and entertainment venues, including four distinct, outdoor neighborhoods with a high-quality, diverse mix of retailers . We have the complete list of the tenants in our original blog story. Here are some of the other stories we worked on this week. First Look: Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration Souvenir Vintage Stein – This stunning souvenir vintage stein features whimsical representations of favorite lands and attractions, and is topped with Sleeping Beauty Castle. Stars Shine Bright at the Disneyland Resort for World Premiere of ‘Tomorrowland’ – Hear from the stars on the red carpet, including the film’s star, George Clooney, about the excitement of being at the Disneyland Resort for the premiere! Behind the Scenes: Hatbox Ghost Reappears in Haunted Mansion at Disneyland Park – Last weekend, one of the 999 happy haunts in the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland park reappeared after decades in hiding. Take a look! Complete List of Special Eats for Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration 24-Hour Event, May 22-23 – Get a look at the ultimate foodie guide to specialty food offerings during the 24-Hour event at the Disneyland Resort. 24-Hour Event Merchandise Sparkles at the Disneyland Resort – Get a sneak peek at the artwork for the 24-hour event tees, a limited release pin and a very specially created cupcake! Kicking Off the ‘Coolest Summer Ever’ with 24-Hours of Entertainment at Magic Kingdom Park – Next week, Magic Kingdom Park is going to stay open from 6 a.m. Friday, May 22, to 6 a.m. Saturday, May 23, to celebrate the beginning of the “Coolest Summer Ever!” Get a look at all the entertainment and plan your visit! Building the Dream: The Making of Disneyland Park – Sleeping Beauty Castle – Part One – Disney Parks Blog author George Savvas shares some of the inspiration behind Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland park. Chef Mickey’s Opens for Brunch Starting May 31 at Disney’s Contemporary Resort – Reservations open May 22 for what promises to be a popular new addition to Walt Disney World Resort dining – mid-day brunch daily at Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Disney Parks Blog Weekly Recap by Thomas Smith: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

The good news for "Saturday Night Live" was Louis C.K. hosted the season finale. The bad news was that nothing came close to his daring, imaginative monologue. View the full article

With the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival wrapping up today, it’s onward to a fun-filled Summer — starting with Star Wars Weekends, kicking off right now! But 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival news is also gearing up. And we’re excited to share the very first news about this year’s Low Cost Seminar lineup! Read on to learn all about this week’s Disney Food News. Disney Food NewsThere are a TON of newly announced Disney Springs eateries — and we have the details right here!We’re sharing our first big news on the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival front: Allergy Friendly Culinary Demos at the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival!Collectible Dinoco Sippers are coming to Cars Land in Disney California Adventure.Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, an homage to the Indiana Jones franchise, will open in Disney Springs this Fall.Looking for the perfect souvenir for your pets? Check out these Mickey Waffles and Ice Cream Bars made just for them! The winners for the Raglan Road Master Chef Contest have been announced! Check out all the latest Disney Food News — even the stuff we don’t mention in posts on the blog! — on our Disney Food News Pin Board, including menu updates, restaurant closures, special events, and more! We’ve got all the latest for you, so check it out before you go. DFB Reader FindsIf you find a fun new food — or other edible awesomeness — in or about Disney, share a photo with us on facebook or twitter so we can add it to our DFB Reader Finds each Sunday! Today we’re featuring Delicious Drinks! @EponineAlways thinks the best way to start her morning is with a Tatooine specialty — Blue Milk! Perfect for the kickoff of Star Wars Weekends! Blue Milk — Breakfast of Champions We told you about the Pomegranate Margarita Reboot at La Cava del Tequila a while back and @MauiMickey702 snapped this beautiful pic. He says it’s much improved! Yum — La Cava del Tequila’s NEW Pomegranate Margarita! Do you have a favorite Disney Food find? Share your photos with us! Deal of the Week: 2015-2016 Disney World Vacation Must-Have E-Book Sale!Do you have a Walt Disney World Trip on the books for this year? Woohoo!! There’s nothing more exciting than counting down the days to your next Walt Disney World Trip! But, even the most spontaneous Disney fan knows that planning ahead is the key to a stress-less vacay. And that mantra is absolutely true when it comes to dining. If you really want to dine in the hottest restaurants, you pretty much have to plan ahead. Be spontaneous, of course. But get a couple Advance Dining Reservations in place. But which ones? That’s where Disney Food Blog comes in, because we are all about the planning!! You already enjoy our reviews, news, and tips daily on our Blog. But did you know — that’s JUST the tip of the iceberg. Because we have lots more to share with you in our complete line of DFB Guides. If you’re ready for a fun, easy way to personalize eating and drinking your way through Disney, then check out the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2015 e-Book. Fully updated for your 2015-2016 adventures, the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2015 e-Book is an instantly downloadable PDF guide, featuring over 490 full-color pages of photographs, information, and advice about our favorite subject — Eating Your Way Through Disney! So you save time and money as you enjoy planning one of the most important parts of your trip. And to thank all of you for your support of DFB, we are offering extra savings on our most popular DFB Guide right now. Just enter promo code 2015 at checkout and you’ll save $4 off of our cover price of the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2015 e-Book! But if you’d like to enjoy even more detail, check out another great offer. DFB Everything Bundle SALE!If you’d like even more great information, pictures, and tips, then the DFB Everything Bundle is the right fit for you. And to get you ready for that next big trip, we are offering the DFB Everything Bundle for $15 off the already low price! It’s like getting an entire book for free. Just enter promo code Everything15 at checkout to take advantage of this offer. The Everything Bundle includes, well, Everything! When you purchase this special bundle of DFB Guides, you’ll get it all: The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, 2015 EditionThe Updated DFB Guide to Magic Kingdom SnacksThe Updated DFB Guide to Epcot SnacksThe Updated DFB Guide to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios SnacksA Pre-Order of the 2015 DFB Guide to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, and the 2014 Edition for FREE as an immediate downloadA Pre-Order of the 2015 DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World Holidays, and the 2014 Edition for FREE as an immediate downloadDFB Dining AdventuresThat’s every book in our collection of critically-acclaimed DFB Guides. And with the convenient e-book format, you can load your books onto as many electronic devices as you want. Have them at your fingertips, ready to plan and take with you into the Parks. Just download and off you go! The DFB Everything Bundle is already a terrific bargain at well below 40% off the individual prices of the books, but we’re excited to offer you these additional savings for a limited time. Enter promo code Everything15 at checkout to take advantage of this offer. Shop in confidence, knowing that all of our DFB Guides are 100% guaranteed. Light Saber BBQ Tongs Thanks for your support of DFB!On to the Round-Up!Mickey Fix does it again! Just in time for Father’s Day AND Star Wars Weekends, check out these perfect Light Saber BBQ Tongs! WDW For Grown Ups shows us around a few DVC Villa Kitchen and offers tips for relaxing a bit with this terrific amenity. DisneyCaribbeanBeach.com takes a closer look at the resort’s dining options. All Ears Blogger Kristin Ford talks about the special family traditions that have become a part of 24-hour Disney days — when they cap off the fun with sweets, treats…and breakfast! Disney Parks Blog stops by California Grill atop Disney’s Contemporary Resort, which celebrated its 20th anniversary this week. WESH.com highlights changes that are coming to the Disney Dream Cruise Ship — including a brand new sweet shop, Vanellope’s Sweets & Treats! Mouse on the Mind shares a review of dinner at Monsieur Paul in Epcot’s France Pavilion. Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com!Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on TwitterBecome a Facebook Fan Related posts: Disney Food Post Round-Up: April 26, 2015 Disney Food Post Round-Up: March 29, 2015 Disney Food Post Round-Up: May 10, 2015 View the full article

Four juveniles escaped from the Orange County detention center on Saturday night, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said. View the full article

After a five-day manhunt, baby Penelope Hogarth and her mother Jessica McCreery were found out of state Saturday and returned to Central Florida, attorney Mark O'Mara said. View the full article

The graduates who walked across a stage at SeaWorld Orlando Saturday don't have to worry about making connections or sending out resumes. View the full article

A man was arrested Saturday on charges that he punched a 76-year-old woman in the face and walked away, Daytona Beach police said. View the full article

A body believed to be the 65-year-old man who went missing while fishing earlier this week was recovered Saturday on Lake Monroe, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. View the full article

Palm Bay renamed a baseball field in honor of three young children who police say were killed by their mother earlier this year. View the full article

On the season finale of ABC’s “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” tomorrow, May 17, the show says farewell to beloved host Tom Bergeron in its broadcast from the Disneyland Resort. Also on the show, the season’s two $100,000 winners battle it out for a grand prize vacation for 60 people to the Disneyland Resort, including a visit to both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks in honor of Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration! Don’t miss the season finale of “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” tomorrow at 7|6c on ABC. ABC’s ‘AFV’ Season Finale Says Farewell to Tom Bergeron and Crowns Grand Prize Winner from the Disneyland Resort by Erin Glover: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

A man is receiving medical treatment in Charleston after being brought by a Coast Guard helicopter from a cruise ship 45 miles off the South Carolina coast. View the full article

I can’t wait to kick-off the “Coolest Summer Ever” in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort! This 24-hour party starts 6 a.m. Friday, May 22, and runs until 6 a.m. Saturday, May 23. I already have a “hip” costume to “Snow My Disney Side” during the event. For guests who want to stay cool during the party, we are releasing a commemorative T-shirt featuring the host of the party, Olaf from Disney’s “Frozen.” This year’s shirt will contain ink that changes color when exposed to sunlight. The shirt will be found in Emporium on Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom Park. We will also offer it online from May 22-31 at DisneyStore.com/ParkEvents. In addition to the shirt, guests will find a festive cupcake found in the following locations: Main Street Bakery and Main Street Confectionary on Main Street, U.S.A.Gaston’s Tavern and Big Top Souvenirs in New FantasylandPlease share your photos and join the conversation on Instagram and Twitter by using #Disney24 and #CoolestSummer. I hope to see you at the party! ‘Coolest Summer Ever’ Commemorative Shirt Coming to Magic Kingdom Park for 24-Hour Party by Steven Miller: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

The Winter Springs man accused of shooting at George Zimmerman in Lake Mary earlier this week must turn in his weapons and avoid contact with him, a judge ruled this morning. View the full article

I’m excited to announce Star Wars: Force For Change is coming to Star Wars Weekends this year at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Starting May 15, we will offer T-shirts for adults, women and kids featuring a stormtrooper from Star Wars: The Force Awakens. During the final weekend, June 12-14, we will offer a limited edition stormtrooper pin at Darth’s Mall, located near Streets of America across from Studio Catering Company. Twenty-five percent of the retail sale price of this product will be donated to U.S. Fund for UNICEF in support of UNICEF Kid Power, an innovative new program that uses the world’s first Wearable-For-Good to get youth physically active to provide lifesaving, nutrition-rich food packets to kids in need around the world. The shirts will premiere during Star Wars Weekends and can be found in the following locations at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Darth’s Mall, Tatooine Traders, Prop Shop, Beverly Sunset and Mickey’s of Hollywood. These items are the first products for Star Wars: The Force Awakens released by Disney Parks. They are also the first character products released for the upcoming film which arrives in theatres on December 18, 2015. To learn more about Star Wars: Force For Change, please visit www.StarWars.com/ForceForChange. May the Force Be With You! The U.S. Fund for UNICEF does not endorse any brand or product. No portion of the purchase price is tax-deductible. Star Wars: Force For Change Coming to Star Wars Weekends This Year at Disney’s Hollywood Studios by Steven Miller: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

One of my favorite things at Epcot during the International Flower & Garden Festival is the Butterflies on the Go garden in Future World, where you can see up to 10 colorful species of butterflies. Some mornings, when the butterflies emerge and their wings are drying out, I like to show kids how to hold them on their fingers so parents can get pictures – it’s a really special moment. Want to try creating a butterfly habitat that you can enjoy at home? It’s easier than you might think. GalleryBuild Your Own Butterfly Garden with Tips from Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival view allAt your local garden center, find native plants with nectar-producing flowers like butterfly bush and canna lily. Make sure that you have several different species to insure something is always blooming. These plants vary depending on where you live.Plant blooms of different colors, as different butterfly species are attracted to different colors.Though many butterflies love the sun, some species do like shade, so it’s a plus if you can create a mix of sun and shade in your garden.For best results, you’ll also want to provide plants where butterflies can lay their eggs. Most butterflies are species specific when it comes to laying their eggs. Monarch butterflies must have milkweed, Zebra Longwings (the Florida state butterfly) need passion flower, the Cloudless Sulphur lays eggs on Cassia plants, and Pipevine Swallowtails choose, what else? Pipevine!Of course, once the eggs hatch, you’ll have caterpillars, which feed on plants. So if you want to have a fully functioning butterfly garden, you’ll need to tolerate some insect damage on your plants. It’s worth it!Don’t forget that butterflies also need water. There are several different ways to provide water — even a birdbath can work. They often prefer a puddle on the ground, so consider creating a bare, low spot in the garden to keep wet.Most important – never use insecticide, which will harm butterflies!It’s not too late to visit our Butterflies on the Go garden as we celebrate our final week of the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival through May 17. Pick up more ideas, then start creating your own butterfly wonderland. Bambi would approve! Build Your Own Butterfly Garden with Tips from Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival by Eric Darden: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

More fantastic news coming out of Disney Springs today, all!! We’ve got confirmation on several other restaurants joining the line-up at the new and improved Downtown Disney location in Orlando! While we’ll be covering each and every one of these as they open, here’s a sneak peek at what’s right around the corner for Disney Springs. Disney Springs’ Town Center Coming Soon! The EdisonInspired by The Edison venue in Los Angeles, this lavish “Industrial Gothic” -style restaurant, bar and nighttime destination is themed to a 1920s-period power plant, recalling an exuberant era of invention and imagination. It will feature classic American food, craft cocktails, and live entertainment including cabaret and music. Layout of the original The Edison location in LA. Copyright The Edison SprinklesThe world’s first cupcake bakery, as named by Food Network and others, serves up handcrafted cupcakes, slow churned ice cream and homemade cookies. I have a Sprinkles locally where I live, and I will never admit to ordering a dozen cupcakes for delivery even when I was home alone…so don’t even try. These aren’t as good as my beloved Magnolia cupcakes in NYC, but they are a fantastic fill-in here in Dallas. I know they’ll be a hit in Disney Springs. This is a photo from Sprinkles’ facebook page because cupcakes don’t last long enough in my house to be photographed. Blaze Fast-Fire’d PizzaBlaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza is a modern day “pizza joint” known for its custom-built artisanal pizzas, freshly made salads, blood orange lemonade and s’more pies. The fast-casual restaurant features an interactive assembly-line format that allows guests to customize their pizza (so…Subway, but for pizza), choosing from over 40 toppings – all for one price. The 11-inch pizzas are “fast-fired” in an open-flame oven and ready in just 180 seconds. FYI — one of these is opening very soon just across town where I live, so I’ll be sure to head over there and do a review before the one in Disney Springs opens. Blaze pizza’s assembly line — photo copyright Blaze pizza Vivoli GelateriaVivoli Gelateria serves gelato made with fresh, seasonal ingredients; panini sandwiches; and espresso drinks. Tea Traders Café by Joffrey’sTea Traders Café by Joffrey’s specializes in premium loose-leaf teas (hot, iced, blended) featuring customs blends, accessories, and packaged teas from all over the globe; created to go or for a tea experience in the café. STK OrlandoSTK Orlando will offer a modern twist on the traditional American steakhouse featuring a sleek lounge with a DJ and rooftop dining. At approximately 14,000 square feet, the Orlando outpost will be one of the largest STK locations. Copyright STK Morimoto AsiaWorld-renowned chef Masaharu Morimoto and the Patina Restaurant Group (who also run several restaurants in Disney World and Disneyland, including Via Napoli and Tutto Italia in Epcot) will open Morimoto Asia, Morimoto’s first Pan-Asian restaurant. Morimoto Asia’s culinary elements will provide flavors from across Asia, while exhibition kitchens will showcase the continent’s traditions. Included among them are street-food stalls, Peking duck carving, and dim sum. Jock Lindsey’s Hangar BarAs we mentioned in a previous DFB post, this Indiana Jones themed location will surely be a hit with Disney guests. This aviation- themed lounge will feature unique drinks and small plates. Themed décor like propeller-based ceiling fans, vintage travel posters and correspondence between Jock and Indy will be among the imagineering details. Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar under construction So there’s what we can expect coming down the pike to Disney Springs, folks! There will surely be more details, news, and information coming soon, but so far we’re pretty excited! Which restaurant are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comments below! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com!Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on TwitterBecome a Facebook Fan Related posts: News! More Popular Restaurants Possibly Coming to Disney Springs in Walt Disney World News! Boathouse and Morimoto Confirmed for Walt Disney World’s Disney Springs at Downtown Disney News! Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar Opening in Disney Springs this Fall View the full article