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With the Bruce Jenner interview, "20/20" scored its biggest ratings in 15 years, ABC said Saturday. View the full article

Alrighty, Guys — it’s time for another fun Disney Food Blog Challenge. And this one is definitely for the grown ups! Everyone’s aware that craft Beer has become increasingly popular. Sure, through the years, you always had the garden variety options… Lovely Beer! But these days, Craft Beers and International Selections are where it’s at. So we thought that it was high time we take a closer look at some of the interesting beer that you can get throughout Walt Disney World. In the interest of interactive fun, we decided to come up with another DFB Food — er, Beverage — Crawl, dedicated to the world of beer, and all that it encompasses. And we know that there are LOTS of you out there who are serious about your study and research of this important subject. We are in it for the fun. So we definitely want YOUR comments below on what you think the Can’t Miss Beers of Walt Disney World are! Because this is a rather weighty subject, we’ll spread it out over a 3 day visit. But feel free to consolidate as your tolerance level allows. Grab some beer nuts, and let’s go! Day One: Explore EpcotWe’ll start our 3-day Beer Crawl in the best place for sampling a wide variety of food and drink — Epcot! When beer is the main attraction of the day, it’s a good idea to get some sustenance first thing. We love to enter Epcot via the International Gateway Entrance and start our day with a stop in Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie in the France Pavilion for a petit déjeuner of French Pastries and Coffee or Chocolat Chaud. We especially love the Frangipane Triangles! Frangipane — Cross Section If you’d like a full-on breakfast platter-type situation, head to Sunshine Seasons (although the Croissant Berry Bread Pudding gets our vote). Fueled up and ready to go, it’s time to hit World Showcase! Moosehead in the Canada PavilionWe all have our traditions, and one that we love to embrace is the First Beer of the Day in Epcot. And that honor almost always goes to Moosehead as we begin our Drinking Journey around the World! Find it at the Canada Beer Stand located near the entrance to Le Cellier Steakhouse. The beer offerings in Canada Stroll the area, making time to check out the Totem Poles before you head to your next stop. Rose and Crown Pub and Dining Room in the UK PavilionWith a small breakfast and your first brew under your belt, it’s time to stop for lunch and more beer in one of our favorite Epcot dining spots. The Rose and Crown Pub and Dining Room in the UK Pavilion offers a wide array of beer and cider from the British Isles. Make your advance dining reservation ahead of time for a sit down meal, or take a gamble with finding a spot in the pub (it can get pretty crowded in there). Note that you can also get beers at a counter outside the restaurant and pub. Sampling British beers is your goal here, so we recommend the Imperial Sampler, which normally includes pours of Bass, Harp, Strongbow, Boddington’s, and Guinness. Imperial Sampler Alternatively, you can choose from a long list of Pub Blends, which are half-and-half mixes of some of the beer on tap. You’ll never go wrong with a Black and Tan — half Bass Ale and half Guinness. Of course, if you have a favorite beer among those on tap, enjoy a pint of that one instead. We especially love to order a Guinness, served with its famous Shamrock Head! Shamrock Design on Top of Guinness And if you visit on a weekday, don’t forget to say “hello” to Carl the Bartender! JapanWith a little lunch under your belt, it’s time to hit up the Japan Pavilion for another unique stop on your beer tour. Kirin Frozen Beer comes with a fluffy, semi-frozen head that keeps your beer cold a little longer in that warm Florida sun. While the picture below is from Tokyo Dining, you can also get a portable version in a plastic cup at Kabuki Cafe. Frozen Kirin Beer in Epcot’s Japan Take in some time listening to the drummers or checking out the koi pond, or just relax for a bit in the shade of Mitsukoshi Department Store while you sip your refreshing beer. Tutto Gusto/Via NapoliOnce you’re finished exploring Japan, continue to circle World Showcase until you arrive in the Italy Pavilion. Plan to stop into Tutto Gusto for your next beer tasting adventure. Craft beers are a relatively new thing in Italy, and the Italy Pavilion is working hard to import some of the most interesting of the crop. You’ll find selections change up fairly quickly here and at the neighboring Via Napoli, so don’t be afraid to try something new. Italians take the same care in brewing beer that they use when crafting wine, so you’re likely to enjoy your selection. We’ve tried Moretti La Rossa. Moretti La Rossa in World Showcase’s Italy If you’re after a portable option, snag a regular Moretti or a Peroni one of the kiosks in the Pavilion. Moretti in the Italy Pavilion If you happen to be visiting during the Food and Wine Festival, consider booking the Italian Food and Beer Pairing Lunch for a deeper exploration of what Italy has available when it comes to brews. GermanyWe’ve sipped and strolled and enjoyed cultures and beer from all over the world. And now we arrive at dinnertime! Of course, it makes sense that our next stop should be in a country especially celebrated for beer — Germany. Make your advance dining reservation for dinner at Biergarten. Dinner at Biergarten is an amazing experience. Sit at long tables and enjoy a meal of all you care to enjoy German favorites and lively entertainment. And for an authentic experience, order your beer in a liter mug! A Liter of Beer! Finish your evening by enjoying Epcot and Illuminations under the stars before tucking into bed in preparation of more awesomeness tomorrow. Day Two: Hit Up Disney’s BoardWalk, Animal Kingdom, and Magic KingdomI hope you got a good night’s sleep, because we are ready to roll for Beer Crawl Day Two! Time to do some serious hopping. Since we’re beginning our day at Animal Kingdom, we’ll start off at one of our favorite spots for breakfast — Kusafiri Coffee Shop and Bakery. Choose the Hot Breakfast Wrap for a less sugary option, or the Warm Colossal Cinnamon Roll if you have a sweet tooth and are in the mood to share. Then it’s time to head out! Dawa BarOur first stop today takes us into Disney’s Animal Kingdom for a stop at the Dawa Bar in Harambe Village. This is a great place to kick back and do a little people watching while you enjoy a cold one. If you’re looking for a draft beer, check out the Safari Amber, which is also available at Animal Kingdom and Animal Kingdom Lodge. Safari Amber on Draft at Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Sanaa at Kidani Village You can also choose from two African Lagers — St. George and Tusker. We love St. George on a hot day in Harambe — it’s the perfect light, smooth beer for handling the heat. St. George Beer and Tusker Lager After a little exploration of the park and maybe a ride or two, head to Disney’s BoardWalk for our next stop. Big River Grille and Brewing CompanyPlan to spend lunch at Disney’s only working microbrewery, Big River Grille and Brewing Company at the BoardWalk Inn. Brew Kettle, Big River Grille Big River’s on-site, working brewery is the place to sample several handcrafted beers, including the award-winning Red Rocket Ale. Inquire about seasonal brews and check their schedule for tapping parties, too! Beer Flight Of course, we’re here for the beer, but the food menu complements it nicely — and even uses beer as an ingredient at times. We love the Beer Cheese Soup especially. Take a stroll on the BoardWalk, spend the afternoon in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or take a nap! Be Our Guest RestaurantIt’s a tough reservation to book, but if you can get it, our next recommendation is to head to Magic Kingdom for dinner at Be Our Guest Restaurant. Walt Disney World’s original Park was dry before the expansion of Fantasyland a few years back, when Be Our Guest Restaurant exploded onto the scene. Because the spot offers traditional French fare, it only made sense to include wine and beer for the dinner hour. But even today, there are restrictions; the restaurant is the only spot in the Park where you can purchase alcohol, and it is only available for the dinner hour inside the restaurant. You won’t see anyone strolling with a beer past it’s a small world. Our recommendation is to keep it traditional, and order a Chimay Blue. For an occasion as special as a meal in Beast’s Castle, we think it’s perfect choice. Chimay Blue at Be Our Guest Restaurant Take in Wishes, and then get some sleep, because there’s more beer for tomorrow! Day Three: Time for Downtown Disney and the ResortsSecond only to Epcot in its potential for beverage enjoyment, Downtown Disney is a Beer Lover’s Haven. We’re going to find some great choices as we make our way through this part of Disney. Raglan Road Irish PubAfter breakfast at the resort of your choice and some time by the pool, head over to Downtown Disney for a hearty lunch at Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant! This is a great time to visit the Pub, because it’s rarely crowded in the afternoons. Choose from their extensive menu of pub favorites. The soups here are killer, and the Fish and Chips — both traditional and gluten-free versions — are tops! To experience the most variety, we’ll once again suggest a flight. We love the Cream of the Crop Flight, because it allows you to choose from all of the draft beers available — and that’s a pretty extensive list! Cream of the Crop Flight! You’ll want to do a bit of walking and window shopping next! Enjoy a leisurely spin through the shops of Downtown Disney before we head to our next destination. Bongos Cuban CafeWhen it’s time for an afternoon break, make your way to Bongos Cuban Cafe for a seat at their bar. There, you can order up some hearty appetizers if you’re inclined, or keep it simple with one of our favorite beers, Modelo Especial. Light and refreshing, we especially enjoy it with a squeeze of lime. Modelo Beer with Lime Portobello Country Italia TrattoriaOur final stop will be for dessert, rather than for beer! One of the most interesting desserts that you can get in all of Walt Disney World can be found at Portobello Country Italia Trattoria. After enjoying a dinner of Italian favorites, order the Biramisu! The classic dessert Tiramisu is reinterpreted here with the addition of a beer reduction in place of the usual coffee-liquor combo. Biramisu Biramisu – Inside And don’t forget — there are tons of wonderful watering holes throughout Walt Disney World. Take time to explore lounges and pool bars at each of the resorts. You could make a vacation from these spots alone! So that’s just about all of the beer that we can drink in three days! We hope you’ve enjoyed this fun tour via the beers of Walt Disney World. And now it’s time to hear from you! Will you complete the challenge? What beers are your favorite to enjoy while at Walt Disney World? Let us know in the comments! 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: DFB Challenge: 2012 Walt Disney World Cheese Crawl DFB Food Challenge: The Walt Disney World Gelato Crawl! Food Challenge: The Disney Food Blog Waffle Crawl View the full article

Two men were charged with first-degree murder in the slaying of a 24-year-old man earlier this month in the parking lot of an east Orange County bowling alley. View the full article

A Florida postal carrier steered his small gyrocopter through protected Washington airspace for 30 miles to the U.S. Capitol, tracked by the nation's top security agencies, which feared harming tourists on the National Mall if they tried to shoot him down, senior lawmakers said Wednesday. View the full article

With just days remaining in the Florida Legislature's current session, $30 million intended for Orlando's planned downtown soccer stadium remains in limbo, money Mayor Buddy Dyer is now calling "integral" to the project. View the full article

A private investigator looking into the death of a 27-year-old Orlando woman found slain last year in Cocoa Beach said he believes he identified the person who was last to see her alive. View the full article

Of all things to do on Earth Day, how about inviting your boss's, boss's, boss's boss for a paddle down the Wekiva River? View the full article

Anna, Elsa and Olaf are joining the line up of beloved Disney characters in our guest-favorite musical, “Disney Dreams … An Enchanted Classic,” aboard the Disney Magic! http://di.sn/60014SGd...From:Disney ParksViews:3782128ratingsTime:00:59More inTravel & Events

We’re just weeks away from our “Frozen” friends making their stage show debut at sea in the Walt Disney Theatre aboard the Disney Magic! Our creative team is hard at work preparing for Anna, Elsa and Olaf to join the line up of beloved Disney characters in our guest-favorite musical, “Disney Dreams … An Enchanted Classic.” The new production number is a heartfelt, humorous and memorable tribute to the “Frozen” film. As with all of our shows, expect magical special effects. Where Elsa goes, there’s likely to be snow! Also, tune up your voices because you’re sure to be singing aloud to your favorite “Frozen” songs. While you wait in anticipation to see Anna, Elsa and Olaf on the big stage at sea, hear more from the show’s producer about these brand-new scenes debuting on our European sailings this summer! For more on our special “Frozen”-inspired entertainment, check out my previous posts: Land of ‘Frozen’ Coming to Disney Cruise Line This SummerMore About the Day of ‘Frozen’ Fun Coming to Disney Cruise Line This Summer‘Frozen’ Friends to Take the Stage Aboard the Disney Magic by Jonathan Frontado: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

Baby sitter Mariah Berry is deaf, intellectually disabled and mentally ill. Last year, the 21-year-old was ordered to prison for 15 years because a 9-month-old Sanford baby had drowned in the bathtub while she was supposed to be watching him. View the full article

Metal detectors are now permanent fixtures outside three roller coasters at Universal Orlando to deter visitors from taking keys, loose change, phones and selfie sticks onto the rides. View the full article

Barry Bonds' obstruction of justice conviction was reversed Wednesday by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled his meandering answer before a grand jury in 2003 was not material to the government's investigation into steroids distribution. View the full article

Babysitter Mariah Berry is deaf, intellectually disabled and mentally ill. Last year, the 21-year-old was ordered to prison for 15 years because a 9-month-old Sanford baby had drowned in the bathtub while she was supposed to be watching him. View the full article

Mary Doyle Keefe, the model for Norman Rockwell's iconic 1943 Rosie the Riveter painting that symbolized the millions of American women who went to work on the home front during World War II, has died. She was 92. View the full article

Add Scott Brooks’ name to the list of potential Orlando Magic head-coaching candidates. View the full article

As the state's efforts to get a non-euphoric medical marijuana oil to severely epileptic children moveforward, the University of Florida is proposing a study to answer a key question: Does it even work? View the full article

Happy Earth Day! Here at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, we celebrate Earth Day every day. Across the globe, our cast members work together toward one unified goal: protecting our planet to promise a better tomorrow. We invite you to take a unique look at what some of our environmental friends across Parks and Resorts are up to in support of planet earth: Disneyland Resort The Disneyland Resort took home four top prestigious environmental honors this year: Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA) for waste reductionU.S. Zero Waste Business Council’s gold-level certification for Circle D Corral’s waste diversion program California Green Lodging Program’s Environmentalist-level award for Disneyland Resort hotelsU.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Food Recovery Challenge Award Disneyland Paris Protection of domestic bees is key at Disney’s Davy Crockett Ranch at Disneyland Paris. The bees are essential in continuing the quality of the resort’s flowers, trees and meadows, and the park’s landscaping provides what the bees need to produce top-quality honey. The mixed-flower honey that is produced finds its way to the breakfast table of guests at the Disneyland Hotel. How’s that for some Earth Day buzz? Hong Kong Disneyland Resort At Hong Kong Disneyland, all plastic shopping bags from merchandise locations are made from post-consumer recycled plastics. Since launching in 2012, more than three million plastic bags generated from the resort’s daily operation have been diverted from landfill and reused for the production of merchandise bags. Shanghai Disney As development for Shanghai Disney Resort progresses, a common thread throughout the resort’s growth is its commitment to sustainable building design. Various administrative buildings are being built with gearless elevators, automatic heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) and exterior stairwells to help minimize the impact of the resort operations on the environment. Tokyo Disneyland Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea utilize multi-waste waste containers. Unlike the standard waste bin, these multi-functional containers are made of several different deposit stations that separate solid from liquid waste and encourage recycling. A single container features combustible trash, plastic silverware, paper cups, beverage carriers and liquid waste stations. The bussing carts for Quick Service Food & Beverage cast members are set up in the same manner, further aligning the cast and guest environmental experience. Walt Disney World Resort Each of the 25 Disney-owned and operated Walt Disney World Resort hotels participate in the Florida Green Lodging program. From distributing in-room materials printed on recycled paper to maintaining the HVAC in unoccupied guest rooms, our resort teams ensure their commitment to the environment comes through in their day-to-day actions. Stay tuned for more great environmental stories from Disney Parks and Resorts as we continue to celebrate our planet throughout the year. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Celebrate Earth Day Around the Globe by Molly McGranahan: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

Former 'N SYNCer Lance Bass just can't say "Bye Bye Bye" to Orlando. View the full article

Fun news today out of one of our favorite watering holes —Â La Cava del Tequila. Learn About: La Cava del TequilaEpcot Restaurants Disney World RestaurantsSeems that the great group of margarita artistes are at it again. This time, they aren’t debuting something brand new, like their newest must-have Tamarind Margarita. Nor are they bringing back another old favorite, like the Hibiscus Margarita, for a limited time. (Get it now during the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival. Hurry!) No — today, we’re reporting on a revamped favorite. The Pomegranate Margarita, it seems, has received a little attention, and the recipe has been updated. Think of it as the Pom 2.0, if you will. La Cava Has Changed Up the Recipe for Their Pomegranate Margarita! The new version even incorporates Strongbow Cider into the mix. I love it! Give it a try and let us know what you think. Will you be trying the new version of La Cava’s Pomegranate Margarita anytime soon? Tell us if you expect this one to be your new favorite! 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! La Cava del Tequila’s Margarita Mondays…and more News! “Maelstrom Margarita” at Epcot’s La Cava del Tequila Coffee Margarita Now Available at Cava del Tequila in Epcot View the full article

Home sales increased more in Metro Orlando than in most cities throughout Florida from a year ago, a new report shows. View the full article

On Saturday, May 2 runDisney will host its final Expedition Everest Challenge. This exciting nighttime 5K through Disney’s Animal Kingdom includes obstacles throughout the course and is followed by a scavenger hunt making it the ultimate adventure. Get prepared for this final run on the wild side by showing your best Everest #DisneySide. Check out this gallery of some of my favorite outfits spotted during previous races. GalleryShow your #DisneySide at the Final Expedition Everest Challenge at Walt Disney World Resort view allTo get you ready for the journey, Leslie Kay of DisneyBound put together this male look with pieces from Champion and New Balance. Yeti or not, I can’t wait to see your wild outfit choices and share with you highlights from this year’s race in my next post. Good luck to all participants! Show your #DisneySide at the Final Expedition Everest Challenge at Walt Disney World Resort by Aubrey Hang: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

A Sanford judge today threw out the criminal case against a deaf, mentally disabled babysitter who was sentenced last year to 15 years in prison because a 9-month-old toddler drown in the bathtub on her watch. View the full article

Women who want an abortion in Florida will have to wait 24 hours under a bill that passed the House on Wednesday. View the full article

High-end Indian eatery American Gymkhana on Restaurant Row may be closing at the end of April, but it will only take days for successor Fusion 360 to reopen. View the full article

As we count down the weeks to the beginning of the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration on May 22, it’s a perfect time to take a look back at some of the innovations that the Happiest Place on Earth has seen throughout its first sixty years. Let’s start with the biggest innovation of all – Disneyland itself – recalled in Walt Disney’s own words. For those of us who grew up in the time after Disneyland opened, it’s hard to imagine a time without theme parks. But that’s how it was when Walt Disney had his idea for a place where the young and young-at-heart could have fun together. “It came about when my daughters were very young and Saturday was always daddy’s day with the two daughters,” Walt said. “I’d take them to the merry-go-round and I took them different places and as I’d sit while they rode the merry-go-round and did all these things—sit on a bench, you know, eating peanuts—I felt that there should be something built where the parents and the children could have fun together. So that’s how Disneyland started.” Walt set out to build a place like no other. At the time, amusement parks were notorious for being dirty and unsafe. As Walt recalled, “When I started on Disneyland, my wife used to say, ‘But why do you want to build an amusement park? They’re so dirty.’ I told her that was just the point—mine wouldn’t be.” Disneyland was to be so much more than an amusement park . . . Walt envisioned an entire fantasy world that would bring stories and imagination to life. “Disneyland is like Alice stepping through the Looking Glass,” he said. “To step through the portals of Disneyland will be like entering another world.” He also wanted Disneyland to be a reflection of American life. Growing up in a small midwestern town had an enormous impact on Walt, and he wanted to bring that sense of pride and hope to all who came to this happy place. “Physically, Disneyland would be a small world in itself,” he said. “It would encompass the essence of the things that were good and true in American life. It would reflect the faith and challenge of the future, the entertainment, the interest in intelligently presented facts, the stimulation of the imagination, the standards of health and achievement, and above all, a sense of strength, contentment and well-being.” In the years since, Disneyland has become the standard by which other theme parks are measured. Walt Disney’s original Magic Kingdom has stood the test of time, due to constant innovation, unlimited imagination and the fond memories that have been made here. “But it all started from a daddy with two daughters wondering where he could take them where he could have a little fun with them, too.” Sixty Years of Innovation: Disneyland, Walt Disney’s Original Magic Kingdom by Erin Glover: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article