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With production of a successful first season wrapped up, the four young actors from the ABC hit comedy black-ish visited Walt Disney World Resort this past weekend to get an early start on their “Coolest Summer Ever.” Marcus Scribner, Yara Shahidi, Marsai Martin and Miles Brown danced with Mickey and Minnie, met their favorite Disney characters, enjoyed a trip on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and defended themselves against the dark side. Creating memories with their real families and TV family was what this vacation was all about. You can catch these young stars in all new episodes of black-ish Wednesdays at 9:30|8:30c on ABC. The Kids from ABC ‘black-ish’ Prepare for the Coolest Summer Ever at Walt Disney World Resort by Robert Hitchcock: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

The four young actors from the ABC hit comedy “black-ish” visited Walt Disney World Resort this past weekend to get an early start on their Coolest Summer Ever! http://di.sn/6006NiCI Read...From:Disney ParksViews:6203152ratingsTime:01:55More inTravel & Events

Our “Discover with Me” series continues with the Pau Hana Room at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa! Meet Tori and learn what makes the Pau Hana Room a must-see visit during your vacation to...From:Disney ParksViews:135726ratingsTime:01:49More inTravel & Events

Disney History buffs are going to love this news out of Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom! More Fun Dining News Out of Magic Kingdom Today! After a hiatus of, oh, about forever — it seems that Aunt Polly’s on Tom Sawyer Island is serving food and beverages once more! This is one for the books! After all, it’s been eons since we’ve seen anything substantial for sale here. Even the vending machines that have been in place here in recent years hadn’t been in service. But thanks to Disney Food for Families columnist Erin Foster for giving us the heads up that Theme Park Insider is reporting the spot is open for business! Now, before you get too awfully excited, you should know that the menu is limited. Very limited. Make the trip over to Tom Sawyer Island looking for sustenance, and you’ll find Sandwiches (Turkey and PB&J), Veggies and Hummus, Chips, Fresh Fruit, and an Assortment of Cold Beverages, including Lemonade. Note that, at least for now, they are not offering fountain drinks. While it doesn’t sound like much, there are two reasons to love this move by Disney: it’s truly amazing that a spot that hasn’t served for so long is back open; and Magic Kingdom desperately needs more dining spots. So even though it’s fairly remote — you know, being an island and all — this fits the bill nicely. We are hearing chatter that right now, Aunt Polly’s is only slated to be open through the end of the Spring Break rush, and Cast Members have said that it will be shuttered once more April 11. Still, if there is enough business at the rustic spot, it could be opened during other busy times of the year. And think about how fun a menu could be here! Personally, I vote for the return of the Cold Fried Chicken you used to be able to enjoy in the shade of Polly’s Gazebo… We’re Dreaming of Fried Chicken on Tom Sawyer Island! After all, this is a great, often under-appreciated corner of Magic Kingdom, shunned in favor of flashier attractions. But can you really beat exploring old forts and taking perilous trips across old-fashioned bridges? I think not. And after all of that playing, a hearty meal or snack, or even a cold glass of lemonade — bingo! Frozen Lemonade! — would be the bee’s knees. So, let’s hear from you now. Will you visit Aunt Polly’s if it’s open during your next Magic Kingdom visit? Let us know your thoughts by commenting 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! Aloha Isle and Sunshine Tree Terrace Switch Places in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom News! Liberty Swirl Slush Available Now at Tortuga Tavern in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom News and Review: Pesto Knots at Magic Kingdom’s Pinocchio Village Haus View the full article

Refresh your sense of spring at the 2015 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival at Walt Disney World! http://di.sn/6007Nju9 Enjoy fresh seasonal dishes, enchanting Disney character topiaries...From:Disney ParksViews:3276123ratingsTime:00:31More inTravel & Events

AHOY!!!! Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto is now in soft openings at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort!!! Trader Sam’s door sign And we are SO excited to share pictures from some of our awesome DFB Readers who were there to ring in the occasion! Many thanks to Lori Hope Fries, DFB Reader and co-founder of TheMainStreetMoms.com, for sending in some awesome pics for us to share with you, along with her review! We’re also suuuuuper grateful to our friend David Shearer for sharing his incredible photos as well! We’ll be using the collection of both of their pictures along with a few of ours to tell the story of the very first days of Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto. But before we go in… what is a “soft opening,” exactly? Basically, a soft open means that guests may find Trader Sam’s in operation during a visit to the Polynesian from now until it’s official opening (expected for late April), BUT it can be closed at any given time to continue any necessary work. So, fair warning. Okay, enough with the logistics! The anticipation is killing me!! Let’s step behind the door… Trader Sam’s door Umm, actually, let’s head inside the Grotto after we wait in line. Just getting in on the first day was no easy task! Take, for instance, this anecdote from our good friend, Mealtrip: “The system is, you get a pager, then they call you in. So there was a 3 hour wait to get a pager and then another 3 hour wait once you had the pager. There is no “pager waiting line”, and you can’t just wait in the hallway for a pager.” Pager for Trader Sam’s And so, a head’s up: for at least the first months of operation, we can all expect longs lines to be rule, not the exception. Anyone who’s had experience with Trader Sam’s in Disneyland will be fully aware of this gigantic problem. Okay, with that out of the way, NOW let’s step inside and see what treasures await! Take it away, Lori! “We have been on watch for months, waiting for Trader Sam to land at the Polynesian Village Resort. Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Room, at the Disneyland Resort, is a favorite stop when we go, and have been there many times. My middle son, Dennis, is an avid tiki mug collector, so we watched as the lobby walls came down around the fountain and a cast member showed us the door leading to Trader Sam’s new location. We watched and waited. Trader Sam’s door When you go on the Jungle Cruise in each Adventureland, Trader Sam, the head salesman of the jungle, will greet you. From coast to coast, these two men share a name and a job (and some jokes), but each coast has their own Sam. We were excited to see how the tiki bars of the same name differed. Trader Sam from Disney World’s Jungle Cruise We were in the Magic Kingdom when we learned that Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto was holding a soft opening. We hopped on a monorail and headed for the Polynesian Village Resort. The wait time was up to four hours to get in! Luckily, we got a pager from a friend who couldn’t stay, and combined the wait. Pager for Trader Sam’s We headed to the new patio [Editor’s note: Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace], which has the same menu as inside, and ordered dumplings and drinks while we waited. Trader Sam’s menu Specialty Drink menu Beer, wine, and Appetizer menu I asked the food manager if the dumplings were the same as the ones at ‘Ohana, and they are not. These Pan-Fried Dumplings with Soy-Sesame Dipping Sauce have pork and shrimp in them. Pan-fried Dumplings I am allergic to fish and shellfish, but Dennis loved them. They were seared perfectly, with a wonderful combination of ingredients, both sweet and with a little kick. He also ordered the HippopotaMai-Tai, a fruity rum drink served in a tiki glass that resembles the new statue in the lobby. For around $15, he got the delicious drink and was able to keep the glass as a souvenir, too. HippopotaMai-Tai I got one of Sam’s No-Booze Brews, the Polynesian Punch, served in a plastic souvenir sipper. You cannot order a non-alcoholic substitute if you want a specific souvenir mug; they do not want to confuse serving alcoholic drinks to minors. The Tiki Tankard! (Editor’s Note: Another fun no-booze drink has been brought over from Disneyland’s Trader Sam’s — the Schweitzer Falls!) Schweitzer Falls at Trader Sam’s Tiki Bar We continued to enjoy live music by an entertainer from the Big Island of Hawaii, before it was time to go into the Grog Grotto. Live music at the Tiki Terrace Goodbye from the Tiki Terrace! We’re going inside… Once inside, the real fun begins. The entire place is interactive. From the chairs to the walls, you know this bar was built for fun. Inside Trader Sam’s Inside Trader Sam’s Lighting inside Trader Sam’s It is themed similarly to the Enchanted Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Hotel, with tiki statues, shrunken heads, and a volcanic view out the “windows”; but this one has a nautical twist. (Editor’s Note: This Trader Sam’s has themeing elements dedicated to the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea ride once found in Magic Kingdom.) Trader Sam’s Tiki Inside Trader Sam’s Nautilus artwork Life Preserver [Another editor’s note: where have you seen that life preserver before? I’ll give you a hint: “You are not the first to pass this way…” ] An enormous tentacle curves its way through one side, and the middle bar table is even a surfboard. Tentacle With low-key mood lighting and just the right amount of neon glow, the Imagineers themed the Grog Grotto in good taste. This is not your average tiki bar kitsch. Inside Trader Sam’s Trader Sam’s Family Tree — East Coast branch! When a special drink is ordered, the lights are cued and elements of the Grotto come to life. Volcano erupts when the Krakatoa is ordered Bar patrons join the cast members in celebration of tiki gods and tiki drinks. Disneyland guests will recognize familiar chants, “Uh-oh-ah! Uh-oh-ah! Uh-oh-ah Oh-ah Oh-ah!” Check out this video from Mousesteps.com to see what happens when you order it! Uh-Oa But with new drinks come new fun: beware the loose Hippopotami! “Two shots of rum!” Uh Oa, the Tiki Goddess of Disaster The cast members don’t just make the Grotto fun; they ensure your service is of the same high standards across Walt Disney World. I have food allergies so our server called the chef out to discuss my options. He also told me his favorites. We ordered the Chicken Lettuce Cups with Hoisin Ginger Sauce and the Roasted Chicken and Pork Paté Bán Mì Sliders. We liked them both. You assemble the wraps yourself with pickled slaw and diced chicken in a thick sauce. Chicken Lettuce Wraps, pre-assembly The sliders were good, but I am not sure I would order them again. I don’t love pork paté, and there was too much of the pickled relish for my taste. Roasted Chicken and Pork Paté Bán Mì Sliders The people who shared our table had the Headhunter Sushi Roll and Kahlua Pork Tacos with Cabbage and Pickled Vegetables. Headhunter Sushi Roll Kalua Pork Tacos They said both were delicious, but they didn’t think the taco was filling. Nonetheless, these are appetizers, not main course dishes, and are intended to complement the drinks. New drinks and souvenirs include: the Polynesian Pearl, a milky and fruity cinnamon rum concoction (a local favorite) served in a pearl ‘Trader Sam’s” cup that’s yours to keep. Polynesian Pearl (Editor’s Note: When the Pearl is ordered, the shell behind the bar lights up and opens as the Bartenders grab the “vessel.” FYI — One out of every 100 comes out black! Check out this video from laughingplace.com to see what happens when you order it! You’ll also find a Rum Flight in three mini tiki mugs; and even a giant ceramic Nautilus submarine filled with tropical juices and rum, big enough to share. Rum Flight souvenir glasses The Nautilus They don’t accept Tables in Wonderland or other discounts because it crosses food and merchandising; but prices are reasonable for Walt Disney World. The bar inside only holds 51 guests, so expect long waits to get in while it is still new. I am looking forward to going back many times and collecting all of the different souvenirs. Souvenir display including Trader Sam’s shirt Various souvenir glasses on display Look out for additional Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto swag in Boutiki. There’s already a t-shirt, Hawaiian shirt, and pin; with new merchandise rolling out soon.” Thanks, Lori!! Sounds like a terrific time at the Grotto! We’d also love to share a few more of the fantastic pictures from David Shearer. He and his wife, Stephanie, enjoyed the Tahitian Torch (ByeJoe Dragon Fruit Spirit, Tropical Juices, Passion Fruit and fresh lime juice) and they also tried the Kalua Pork Tacos. Tahitian Torch They, too, grabbed a HippopotoMai-Tai! Because who can resist that tiki face? HippopotaMai-Tai Our Facebook friend Casey N. kindly shared few prices with us (notice they’re not on the menu ;). The Spikey Pineapple (a Dole Whip with rum) is $10.25. The non-alcoholic Polynesian Punch in a souvenir cup is $9.49. The Polynesian Pearl (pictured in white from Lori above) runs around $16. The Shrunken Zombie Head, which comes in its own very special souvenir glass, rings up at just over $20. Shrunken Zombie Head glass ©Disney And, hey, let’s take one more look at that Nautilus while we’re at it! At the time of this writing, it is currently NOT available to take home, but it will be once the official opening takes place in late April. The Nautilus in the souvenir display Once it is available, this completely awesome tribute to 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea can be yours for the low, low price of… 52 smackers! (Yep, you read that right!). It’s filled with Barbancourt Pango Rhum, Appleton Estate Reserve Rum, Combier Creme de Peche de Vigne Liqueur, tropical juices, and Falernum, and made to serve two. For the time being, you are able to order the drink and enjoy it in a Nautilus, only without taking it home. Check out this video from Mousesteps.com to see what happens when you order it! (Oh, and is that Captain Nemo’s voice I hear…?) And there you have it, folks! The first days at the Grotto are in the books, and just like Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar on the west coast, it appears we have another huge hit on our hands! We can’t wait to bring you more fun from Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto in days to come! Want more great Disney food news and details, including exclusive deals on DFB stuff? Join us over on the Disney Food Blog Newsletter to be first in the know on all the updates… . 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! Trader’s Sam’s Grog Grotto is Coming to Walt Disney World’s Polynesian Resort! Coming Soon! Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at Disney’s Polynesian Resort News and Sneak Peek: Check Out the Drinks Coming to Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto! View the full article

Leaving the Orlando TV market: Spouses Anthony DiLorenzo of WFTV-Channel 9 and Kala Rama of WKMG-Channel 6. View the full article

With the dynamic Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson as host, "Saturday Night Live" this weekend offered one of its strongest episodes in a long time. View the full article

We’ve been looking back at key moments in Disneyland history as we prepare to celebrate 60 years of memories and magic during the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration. And this week, Erin searched the archives and put together a fascinating time-lapse video of Disneyland construction. Check out Erin’s original story and let us know about your favorite part of the video. This week, we also revealed our 2016 Disney Cruise Line summer sailings, announcing our first-ever British Isles cruise, plus ports of call in more than 15 European countries. Along with the British Isles, our tour of Europe includes cruises in the Baltic, Norwegian Fjords, Iceland, Greek Isles and the Mediterranean. Jonathan has more details and a special video in his original story. Here are some of the other stories we worked on this week. Irene Jewell Celebrates 90th Birthday with First Visit to Disneyland Park – Last month, on her 90th birthday, Irene Jewell, legendary dancer and wife of Disney cinematographer Stuart Jewell, visited Disneyland park for the first time. Enjoy ‘Frozen Fun’ Before it Melts Away and Stay Close to the Magic with Disneyland Resort Hotel Offer – If you haven’t experienced all of the frozen fractals during “Frozen Fun” at Disney California Adventure park, there’s still time! First Look at Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration Merchandise – Go behind the scenes, into our Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration showroom, where you can see for yourselves some of the amazing items headed your way this May at the Disneyland Resort. Wildlife Wednesday: Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Set ‘Gold Standard’ for Animal Care – Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge were granted official accreditation once again by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums! New Pedestrian Bridge Will Soon Open at the Downtown Disney Area at Walt Disney World Resort – Towering above Buena Vista Drive, a new pedestrian bridge was installed in the early morning hours of March 19. Behind the Scenes: Food Network Hosts Cruising on the Disney Dream – Check out the highlights from the Disney Dream Cruise with Food Network! Disney Parks Blog Weekly Recap by Thomas Smith: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

Spring is underway and with it has come a rush of notable news throughout Disney. And at Disney World especially this week, we’ve seen tons of big stories — including rumors of new restaurants, new meals, new menus, and even a Food and Wine Festival update! Nautilus Drink at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto The biggest news is that the new Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto “soft” opened at Disney Polynesian Village Resort yesterday. Crowds were off the charts (6 HOUR WAIT TO GET IN!), but we’re putting a First Look post together and will have pics for you tomorrow morning (including this awesome Nautilus drink, thanks to DFB reader Lori Hope Fries)! Yay! But back to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, 2015 is a big year in the history of the event as we celebrate 20 years of Eating and Drinking Around the World. We’ll bring you every detail and dish as the news unfolds, but in the meantime, this week, we have word of the very first acts lined up for the Eat to the Beat Concert Series! We’ll get started today by taking a look at some of the week’s biggest stories. Disney Food NewsHollywood Studios Catering Company has received a menu refresh. See what’s new at this Counter Service stop!Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto in Disney World’s Polynesian Village Resort is just days away from opening!We have a FIRST LOOK at some of the musical acts who will perform during the Eat to the Beat Concert Series at the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival!Check out this fun Master Chef Contest sponsored by Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant and enter to win a trip to Ireland!Epcot’s Taste Track has debuted a line of Gourmet Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, and we’re trying them all.Magic Kingdom just MAY be getting that new Adventureland restaurant we told you about a while back — and it’s looking like it may be themed after the Jungle Cruise attraction!We bring you our “Everything on the Menu” review of breakfast at Be Our Guest Restaurant! 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 Restaurant Closure Updates, Special Events at Disney Restaurants, Seasonal Pop-Up Food Stands, and more! We’ve got all the latest for you, so check it out before you go. DFB Reader FindsIf you discover 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! It’s a chilly day across much of the US today, but we’re dreaming of warmer temperatures. So today, we’re featuring Ice Cream Treats from around Magic Kingdom! Let’s take a moment to enjoy some Hand-Dipped Ice Cream from the new landscape in the Magic Kingdom Castle Garden area, courtesy of reader Kristen Figuerado. That view makes it even more delish. Ice Cream in the New Garden at Magic Kingdom Reader Sheri Robb shows us that, not only is the Mickey Pants Kitchen Sink Sundae adorable — it’s plenty big enough to share! Mickey Pants Kitchen Sink Sundae 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!OK — so 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! 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. Thanks for your support of DFB!March Madness — #DisneySide Style! On to the Round-Up!Mickey Fix is celebrating March Madness, Disney Style, with limited collection March Magic Tees! Hurry — quantities are limited! WDW For Grown Ups features a collection of The Best Things to Eat On Sticks at Walt Disney World! Daveland has a look back at when Hills Brothers — not Starbucks — ruled the coffee offerings in Disney. Main Street Gazette is out to satisfy your ice cream cravings with the Sand Pail Sundae at Typhoon Lagoon! Imaginerding highlights a book about table manners from Walt Disney Animation Studios Artist Showcase. No Slurping, No Burping is a stylish and funny way to teach kiddos table manners! Disney Parks Blog highlights the Food Network’s voyage aboard the Disney Dream — including a behind-the-scenes tour of the ship’s galleys. WESH offers a look at beautiful Disney wedding cakes. 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: March 22, 2015 Disney Food Post Round-Up: March 1, 2015 Disney Food Post Round-Up: March 15, 2015 View the full article

A St. Cloud man died Saturday after crashing his ATV, Florida Highway Patrol troopers said. View the full article

During the past 30 years, Michael Rodden has seen the change in high-school color-guard squads. View the full article

PANAMA CITY BEACH — Seven people were injured, some critically, during an early-morning spray of gunfire Saturday at a spring break party on the Florida Panhandle, police said. An Alabama man was quickly apprehended and charged with attempted murder. View the full article

When Jon Brandt bought two condos at The Element in MetroWest five years ago, the last thing he said he expected was to be forced to sell them to investors intent on turning them into apartments. View the full article

MONTREAL — Orlando City had every reason to quit. View the full article

Orlando City Soccer Club is aiming to avoid its first league losing streak in franchise history when it faces off with Montreal Impact today. View the full article

Seven people were injured, some critically, during an early-morning spray of gunfire Saturday at a spring break party on the Florida Panhandle, police said. An Alabama man was quickly apprehended and charged with attempted murder. View the full article

Philip Flynn liked what he saw as he stood by the otter exhibit at the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens. View the full article

President Barack Obama kicked off the spring season on Saturday with a weekend golf getaway in Florida at the resort where he once caused a stir by playing with Tiger Woods. View the full article

SANFORD — In 1998, Donald Heflin Mitchell Jr. pretended to be the business manager of Penny Hardaway, an All-Star guard for the Orlando Magic. View the full article

Deltona retiree Paul Jaynes was heartbroken when his 9-year-old Labrador, Cookie, suddenly stopped walking last year. The once-athletic dog struggled to stand and, if she moved at all, collapsed after a few steps. View the full article

When Jon Brandt bought two condos at The Element in MetroWest five years ago, the last thing he said he expected was to be forced to sell them to investors intent on turning them into apartments. View the full article

Benjamin Parangan lay in a hospital bed for nearly two months after being charged with trying to kill the founder of Osceola County's largest church. View the full article

This week, we shared a few peeks inside the changes happening at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Our author Amanda Adler shared a look inside the amazing new bungalow rooms at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, the newest Disney Vacation Club property at Walt Disney World Resort. GalleryA Look Inside the Bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows view allShe also gave us a look at the view guests can expect at night in this week’s “After Dark” series. Pam Brandon gave us another sneak peek at the highly anticipated Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, which will debut at the resort late-April. The location will serve tropical themed beverages and small plates. Be sure to check out Pam’s original post for all of the tasty details! This Week in Disney Parks Photos: Sneak Peeks at Polynesian Fun at Walt Disney World Resort by Jennifer Fickley-Baker: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

One of my very favorite things about my visit to the Tokyo Disney Resort was browsing the shops there. The packaged souvenir snacks were aplenty; shelves, shelves and more shelves filled with unique treats. I was totally obsessed with the adorable packaging. Another plus? There were plastic displays showing you exactly what was inside of that adorable packaging. Plastic displays of candy “purses” Even with the plastic displays though, I still had no idea what some of the things were! Below is a photo tour of some of the items I found adorable and interesting, and a few that were just plain bizarre. Let’s start over at the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel. There is a great little convenience store there that carries a wide variety of Disney themed food, snacks, drinks, candy, etc. Below are some of the adorable drinks that they had. The Snow White bottle is an apple & mango drink, the Tsum Tsum bottles are tea, and the Frozen ones are bottled water. Disney Bottled Drinks Various ice cream cups; each featuring a scene from a Disney movie. Individual Ice Cream Cups Packaged candy, including chocolate “surprise” eggs filled with a small Disney figurine. Chocolate Surprise Eggs I actually tried Mickey and Minnie “Potato” crackers below. They are sort of a cracker/potato chip hybrid. Each puffy piece is Mickey shaped! Mickey & Minnie Potato Crackers I love this little box of Mickey Milk. The only reason I know this is milk is because I asked a friend! Mickey Milk And how about this gummy selection? Those Sours that you see in the top left, I know they aren’t Disney, but they are DELICIOUS. They are fruit smoothie flavor featuring banana and a few other fruits. SO SO SO yummy! Gummies! The candies below I found at the Disney Store in the mall that I visited. They are little hard candies, each a different character and flavor. The only ones I tried were the Aliens. They were grape. Basically a mini lollipop without the stick. They are made using a cane technique, one long piece that is cut into slices. The design is built in the center so that each piece has the design. Disney Store Hard Candies Let’s go into the parks. All of the below treats are pre-packaged souvenir treats that can be found around the Tokyo Disney Resort. First up are these crazy Toy Story “Salami Sausages.” I didn’t try them, but I did bring some home for friends. I haven’t heard a report back yet! Toy Story Sausages How about a Mickey Meat Stick featuring Mickey in an Indian headdress? Like their Toy Story neighbors, these are also called “Salami Sausages” but I prefer Mickey Meat Sticks. Basically a Slim Jim type of snack. No one in my group was brave enough to give the Mickey mystery meat a whirl. Mickey Meat Sticks I thought that these dried fruit packs were adorable. Also a “healthier” snack option. Lilo and Stitch Dried Mango & Pineapple There are lots of cookies and crackers in the mix here. I’m not sure what they all are, but they were sure fun to look at. Let’s take a peek! Winnie the Pooh Cookies Winnie the Pooh Cookies with Honey Dip And these ones reminded me of Teddy Grahams, but Pooh shaped! Full Body Teddy Graham-ish Pooh Cookies My guess is that these Dalmatian cookies are chocolate chip and for human consumption not doggie treats. Dalmatian Cookies I saw these and thought the packaging was adorable. Then I realized what was inside. Crackers with full bodied mini fish. If you like this type of thing, more power to you, but I passed. Donald Duck Crackers with Fish Love Mickey, Donald and Goofy all dressed up as explorers. Not sure what this is, it looked very similar to corn bread. Maybe some type of sponge cake? Love the box though! Sponge Cake (?) Below are a few different types of rice crackers. I was dying when I saw how cute the Genie bucket filled with individual snack packs was. I really wanted to bring this one home, but I had to practice some self control. At this point I had already purchased a giant duffel bag to bring home. This being due to the amount of souvenirs my family (mostly me) collected on our trip. The extra bag could barely zip up. Someday though, this genie will be mine! Various Rice Crackers How about these awesome Mr. Potato Head goodies!?! The top “Potato Snacks” are potato chip filled cups and the bottom ones are potato flavor rice crackers. Mr. Potato Head Snacks A few Monster’s Inc cookies. I have no idea what these ones are. Some type of cookie or biscuit with a filling. The bag is way cute but they look a little like pet treats to me! Monsters Inc. Cookies These though, I couldn’t pass them up. I had to have the chip clip that comes with these cookies… They are little shortbread cookies with Monster’s Inc. characters on them. They are themed after the Monster’s Inc. Ride and Go Seek attraction at Tokyo Disneyland. It’s a really fun ride where you use a flashlight (sort of like Astroblasters) to earn points as you aim your light at the many monsters lurking inside. Monster’s Inc Shortbread Cookies Upon returning home and revisiting all of my photos there are so many things I regret not purchasing. These caramels are one of them. Mickey Caramels I absolutely love the gorgeous packaging on these rice crackers. The artwork is just so pretty. Mickey & Minnie Rice Crackers How cute are these individually wrapped chocolates??? Another regret! Individually Wrapped Chocolates Assorted nuts could be purchased in large tins or you could get single servings of nuts in smaller tins. Nuts in Cute Tins! More Donald crackers! I’m going to assume that these are fish flavored because of the themed packaging, but they are minus the actual fish this time. Below Donald was a bag with Mickey on it featuring interesting individual snack packs in it. Little flakes of something… Anyone know? Donald Crackers & Mystery Mix featuring Mickey Cute udon kits featuring Donald and Mickey. Udon Kits This artwork featuring Mickey in a kimono is fabulous. The box contains different flavored rice crackers. Flavored Rice Crackers These fun little gingerbread characters were a specialty item for the holidays. Each one had a little snack pack inside and could be used as an ornament. Another regret! Gingerbread Character Snack Boxes The detail on these mint tins is so great. I love the designs and “Happiness is Here” theme. Mint Tins I also spotted lots of Disney snacks outside of the resort. These cookies were a big hit with my family; shortbread with a chocolate coating on one side. Mickey & Minnie Cookies They also came in Chip & Dale and Frozen Packaging. I forgot to take a photo of the Frozen ones before giving them to a friend! The Chip & Dale and Frozen cookies were shortbread with a vanilla coating on one side. Chip and Dale Cookies More cookies, this time in mini packs. They are similar to the Hello Panda or Koala Cookies that I’ve seen here in the states, but printed with Disney characters. We tried chocolate and strawberry. Both are great. Chocolate Filled Cookies Strawberry Filled Cookies And for the grand finale, I give you a sampling of what I brought home… It’s not all Disney, but it is all fantastic! There are those Frozen cookies I was talking about. AND do you see the Dole Pineapple gummies? Holy moly you guys those are amazing! The Amazing World of Tokyo Candy Overall, the snacks and candy in Tokyo are just over the top fun. If you ever have a chance to go, bring an empty suitcase or two. Because trust me, they’ll fill up fast! Which snack did you think was most interesting? Cutest packaging? Most likely to purchase? Let us know in the comments below! Heather Sievers is the Disney Food Blog’s Dining in Disneyland columnist. See more of her columns here! 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: Dining in Tokyo Disneyland: Park Snacks, Plus a Few Meals, Too! Guest Review: Snacks at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea Dining in Tokyo Disneyland: The Many Faces of Popcorn at Tokyo Disney Resort View the full article