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Freddie Gray, a Baltimore man injured during an arrest by Baltimore police last week, died Sunday morning at Shock Trauma, according to family members and a hospital spokesperson. View the full article
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Florida's Department of Health has confirmed two cases of measles in two unvaccinated adults in Indian River County. View the full article
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Did someone say cupcakes?!?! As I’m sure you know, Disneyland has a rather big birthday coming up. The resort will celebrate its 60th Anniversary in July. But you don’t have to wait until the middle of Summer to have your cake and eat it too! On May 22, Disneyland and Disney California Adventure will debut some fun (and delish) treats to mark Disneyland’s Diamond Anniversary Celebration. While cupcakes are usually more of an East Coast Disney thing than a West Coast one, when Disneyland does ‘em, they’re incredible. Beginning May 22, find a Lemon-flavorored Cupcake at Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe. Why lemon? It’s the perfect flavor to celebrate the Victorian theme of Main Street USA. Disneyland Diamond Anniversary Cupcake, Available at Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe Disneyland Diamond Anniversary Cupcake, Available at Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe Similar Cupcakes will be available at Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe in Disney California Adventure — but the flavor will be Orange there to represent the 1930s vibe of Buena Vista Street. In addition to the cupcakes, Disneyland will release lots of new, limited-time beverages. I gotta say — I’m a little perplexed why they’d offer five different drinks that look and sound incredibly similar. Enchanted Cherry Apple Frozen Lemonade from Troubadour Tavern Honey Bee Frozen Lemonade from Hungry Bear Restaurant But I’ll reserve judgement until I get to try a few! I think I’m mostly looking forward to the Frozen Pomegranate Silver Sparkler from Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe. Frozen Pomegranate Silver Sparkler at Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe Lucky Fortune Tea Mango and Red Passion Fruit, Available at Lucky Fortune Cookery Wild Raspberry Rapids Frozen Lemonade at White Water Snacks And of course, there will be plenty of merch to commemmorate the event. After all, it’s not everyday you turn 60. And the Balloon Popcorn Bucket is sure to sell out fast. Balloon Popcorn Buckets Look for LOTS more details as we inch closer to the the celebration — set to kick off on May 22 with an all-night celebration at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure! Which Diamond Anni Treat are you looking forward to trying? Comment below and let us know what’s tops on your list! 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: “Frozen Fever” Sweet Treats at Disneyland and Disney World News! New Cupcakes Debut at Disney’s Hollywood Studios News! Walt Disney World 40th Anniversary Cupcake! View the full article
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Presidential candidate Marco Rubio says the United States must do whatever is necessary, including going to war, to stop Iran from becoming a nuclear power. View the full article
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Orlando police responded to a stabbing incident on North Orange Avenue early Sunday morning. View the full article
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If you’re as excited as we are about the upcoming 24-hour celebrations to kick off summer at the Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort, then this was another great week to be checking the Disney Parks Blog. This week, we offered 24 suggestions on how you can make the most of this year’s 24-hour celebration at the Walt Disney World Resort. It begins on May 22, and here are some of our favorites: Challenge yourself to get as many photos with Disney characters as possible. The My Disney Experience App will have the latest on appearance times.Join the late night dance parties in your pajamas. That’s what Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Chip, Dale and Goofy will be wearing!Show your #DisneySide by wearing a costume. (Check out the guidelines here).Check Jennifer’s original story for the complete list and let us know what you’re planning during the 24-hour celebration. Also, opening on May 22 as part of the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration, the new “Paint the Night†parade will feature some of the most innovative floats, vibrant costumes, dazzling special effects, unforgettable music and energetic performances ever presented at Disneyland Resort. Shawn shared a behind-the-scenes look at performer rehearsals with the Fiber Fairies from the opening unit and the Cars Crew, who join Mack Truck and Lightning McQueen. Check Shawn’s original story for more details about the “Paint the Night†parade. Here are some of the other stories we worked on this week. Closer Look at Nighttime Entertainment and More Coming for Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration – Hear thoughts from Steve Davison, vice president of Parades and Spectaculars, Walt Disney Imagineering Creative Entertainment, on the new nighttime spectaculars currently in development … and watch to the end for your first look at the “Cars†story from the new “Paint the Night†parade! A Taste of the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration – The kickoff of the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration is right around the corner, and we have more details to share about some of the new food and beverage offerings sure to dazzle your taste buds. Mickey Mouse and Friends to Wear Sparkling New Ensembles for Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration – We’ve already shared some of the sparkling new decor, entertainment and merchandise coming for the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration beginning May 22. Some of our biggest stars will also sparkle for the celebration! Disney Parks After Dark: Astro Orbitor Revisited at Disneyland Park – Disneyland Resort Chief Photographer Paul Hiffmeyer shares some special photos of this classic attraction, both in motion and at rest. Learn to Draw: Sorcerer Mickey from ‘Fantasia’ – This week’s Learn to Draw animation tutorial series continues with a lesson on how to create your own Sorcerer Mickey. Disney Days of Past: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Constructed – Surrounded by over 45 acres of savanna, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge continues to be one of the most spectacular hotels at Walt Disney World. In September 2000, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge was beginning to take shape as construction continued on what is now known as Jambo House. Disney Parks Blog Weekly Recap by Thomas Smith: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article
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It’s time for lunch at Gasparilla Island Grill in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort! Learn About: Gasparilla Grill and GamesGrand Floridian Disney World RestaurantsThe Grand Floridian dining scene is primarily defined by unique dining experiences such as Victoria and Albert’s (Disney World’s AAA Five-Diamond Restaurant) and Afternoon Tea as well as two signature restaurants (Citricos and Narcoossee’s) and character meals at 1900 Park Fare. It’s also home to one of my very favorite Disney meals in all of history: the Grand Floridian Burger at the resort’s more casual Table Service restaurant, the Grand Floridian Cafe (the name doesn’t convey the highlight of the dish: it’s the lobster-topped burger you may have heard about). Even among all that, the Grand Floridian still remains a place where you can grab a quick Counter Service bite 24 hours a day thanks to to Gasparilla Island Grill. Gasparilla Island Grill sign The last time we paid a visit it had recently been through a refurbishment, changing from Gasparilla Grill and Games to its current name. While not much has changed in the way of atmosphere since that visit, the menu differs somewhat from its immediate post-refurb offerings, so we’re back to grab a quick bite (or three!) at Gasparilla Island Grill! Gasaprilla Island Grill entrance AtmosphereThe general vibe at Gasparilla Island Grill is decidedly — and expectedly — Floridian! Creamy colors, pale greens, and lots of natural sunlight keep it airy, while the lush, darker greens and palms associated with the state of Florida are represented in the seating decor. Gasparilla Island Grill indoor seating Gasparilla Island Grill indoor seating Second seating area At the same time, the resort’s Victorian style is reflected in the light fixtures (check out those hidden Mickeys!), and by a small display of dish and glassware. Lighting Lighting Dish display Dish display Though not known for tons of Disney detailing, the basic scene here is very pleasant in that it’s fresh, clean, and simple. Perhaps the most unique feature to Gasparilla is the amount of high-backed booths lining the perimeter. They do allow for a certain feeling of privacy in what can be a bustling place, depending on the time of day. Booth seating Outdoor seating is also available; however, it wasn’t much in use on the day my friend and I visited, due to to some classic spring showers. Outdoor seating on a rainy day Once the rain lightened up, I stepped outside once more to grab this picture of the Castle view (you can see it in the distance). Castle view from Gasparilla In the late evenings, Gasparilla Island Grill is a really nice place to grab a pre-bedtime Mickey Premium Bar and take a seat outside to enjoy “Wishes,†especially since the music for the show is piped in here, too. But we’re here for lunch, so let’s step back inside to see what’s on the menu! EatsSimilar to the other Deluxe Resort food courts, the setup here is relatively small compared to a Value or Moderate Resort food court such as Art of Animation’s Landscape of Flavors or Caribbean Beach’s Old Port Royale. Still, in typical resort food court fashion, Gasaprilla features all the classics such as a Grab and Go selection and a bakery case. Grab and Go Refrigerator next to Salad Station Grab and Go Item Sign Bakery Case Whole Fruit Grab and Go Rice Krispy Mickey Treats My friend and I, however, met up for a late lunch, so we focused on the Hot Grill Station. Hot Grill Station Several food court standards are featured here, like burgers, flatbreads, and chicken breast nuggets. However, you can find a few items unique to Gasparilla as well, including Stromboli (both meat and a veggie version), and a Hot Turkey Sub. Hot Grill Menu Hot Grill Menu Hot Grill Menu We noticed the Daily Chef Special on an additional sign: Pulled Pork Nachos. Chef Special Facing the Hot Grill station, a Create-Your-Own Salad Bar is also located to the right. Create-Your-Own Salad Bar Create-Your-Own Salad Bar Create-Your-Own Salad Bar Ultimately we stayed with the Hot Grill, choosing the Grand Gaspy Burger, Sausage and Pepperoni Stromboli and the Hot Turkey Sub. In order to keep the lines from building up in the small food area, they utilize a number system at Gasparilla. After placing your order with the Cast Member at the food station, they will present you with a write up of your order that you can bring immediately to the cash register (as opposed to the larger food courts where you wait for your meal to be handed to you). Cash Registers At the payment counter you’ll receive a number for your order, so a Cast Member can deliver your order to your table when it is ready. Our Number at the Table Starting with the Sausage and Pepperoni Stromboli served with marinara, I have to say I was immediately impressed with how substantial this dish is. The portion is just huge! Sausage and Pepperoni Stromboli Closeup on Sausage and Pepperoni Stromboli While I couldn’t get a decent shot of it, the dough is indeed pinwheeled inside like a traditional stromboli. Why I’m picky about that, I have no idea, really. But there you go. Stromboli filling Stromboli filling The flavor was terrific, with some nice spice from both the pepperoni and the sausage, and I liked the bubbly bread crust. But I found the amount of sausage to be overwhelming for my tastes and wished it had some more variety with the other fillings (onions, mushroom, mozzarella, and pepperoni). My husband was the recipient of the leftovers, though, and as a would-do-a-Chicagoan-proud type of sausage fiend, he thought it was excellent. The Hot Turkey Sub made its debut in December as the seasonal “Holiday Turkey Sandwich.†I was so excited when I found out it remained on the menu past January, and was pumped to finally have a chance to give it a whirl. This Thanksgiving-any-time-of-year sandwich features all of the favorites from a holiday meal: turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce all topped with gravy. And again, the only word to describe the portion is HUGE. Hot Turkey Sub My friend had enjoyed this sandwich previously and says it is now the only thing she orders at Gasparilla. So, with that endorsement, it was time to dig in. Of course, you kind of need to decide how to tackle this one first due to all the fillings! We just ended up treating it as an open-face sandwich. Hot Turkey Sub This one joins the ranks of other Thanksgiving-any-time-of-year sandwiches around Disney World such as the Holiday Sandwich at Earl of Sandwich and the Turkey Sandwich over at Everything Pop. This may spring up some debate, but for me, this one at Gasparilla trumps them all! Much of that is due to the thicker cut of the turkey and the CRAZY amount of gravy (because I heart gravy). For those reasons, I think this one mimics the real-deal holiday meal the absolute best. I LOVED it, and I’m even one of those I-don’t-like-my-foods-touching-eachother types. If you are a fan of any of those other sandwiches, the Hot Turkey Sub is a must-try! By the way, clearly this one’s all about the sandwich, but it’s worth noting that, as with the other sandwiches on the menu, you do get your choice of sides: house made chips, french fries, or cucumber salad are your choices. Cucumber Salad I didn’t care for the Cucumber Salad, finding it far too vinegary. But, with a sandwich of this magnitude, having a lighter option is a great idea. Finally, I couldn’t resist trying the signature dish: the Grand Gaspy Burger (not to be confused with “Great Gatsby.†Pretty cute!). This third pound burger is topped with Tillamook cheddar, pulled pork, barbecue mayonnaise, and fried onions. Grand Gaspy Burger with Housemade Chips Grand Gaspy Burger toppings The rich cheddar provided some good flavor, but I lost the fried onions in the taste due to the dominant seasoning used in the pork and, I believe, in the barbecue mayonnaise. Cross-section of the Grand Gaspy Burger And I definitely need to mention that seasoning, because it was rather unexpected. Instead of tasting like a typical barbecue sauce, it tasted much more like the sauce often used on baked beans, with a sweetness overtaking the expected tang thanks to what I’m assuming was a heavier helping of brown sugar. This might sound strange, but I thought it tasted just like a summer picnic on a bun . Other than that, though, it’s your fairly typical Disney food court burger — pretty well done and not super moist. I liked the spin on it, though. We ended up passing on dessert for this trip… mostly because we’d tried just about all of them before! Unlike its neighboring monorail resorts Quick Service options — the Contemporary’s Contempo Cafe and the Polynesian Village Resort’s Captain Cook’s — the cupcakes at Gasaprilla don’t tend to change very much. The offerings have remained pretty steady over the past couple years, typically featuring a Pina Colada Cupcake, German Chocolate Cupcake, S’mores Cupcake, and Very Berry Cupcake. Here are some shots from previous visits, and you can just click any of the links for the cupcakes to read those reviews. Pina Colada Cupcake S’mores Cupcake German Chocolate Cupcake Otherwise, dessert offerings remain fairly typical, with the exception of a soft-serve ice cream machine. Soft-serve ice cream machine Oh, and I mentioned something about Mickey Bars earlier, didn’t I? Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bars Don’t you just love that sight ? I think it’s a great one to wrap up our visit! OverallThough it’s fairly no-frills, Gasparilla Island Grill offers a pleasant, relaxing atmosphere which I find to be quite peaceful. At the same time, it still manages to come up with a few great surprises like that Hot Turkey Sub. For a relatively small food court, I’d say it more than does the job. And, remember, it IS open 24 hours — one of only a handful of places that can claim that attribute. The overnight menu is minimal, but you can usually get a few hot options like the flatbreads. Even if you’re not staying at the Grand Floridian, Gasparilla Island Grill is accessible by way of boat or monorail from the Magic Kingdom if you’re looking for a calmer place to escape to during your busy park touring day. Here’s hoping you have a GRAND time! What do you think of Gasparilla Island Grill? Please let us know with a comment! 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: Review: The NEW Gasparilla Island Grill at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa Guest Review: Gasparilla Grill and Games at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort Review: Gasparilla Grill at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort View the full article
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COLUMBUS, Ohio — All it took was a two-minute span marked by meltdowns on opposite sides of the field to doom Orlando City. When it was over, the Lions were down a goal, down a man and ultimately down three points. View the full article
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In May, Becky Brushwood will travel to Italy. View the full article
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There's nothing quite like seeing "The Sound of Music" -- especially that opening -- on the big screen. View the full article
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The BOATHOUSE, the newest eatery to open at Downtown Disney here at the Walt Disney World Resort, officially opened its doors on Monday. The restaurant offers a one-of-a-kind waterfront dining experience that includes a menu of steaks, chops, fresh seafood and much more. The BOATHOUSE also showcases a must-see display of rare watercrafts from the 1930s – 1950s, plus a special fleet of 1960s Amphicars. (Check out Darcy’s original blog post to learn how you can take a ride in one of these beauties). The BOATHOUSE is so unique and visually compelling that we had to share more images with you. Be sure to check out the gallery below. GalleryThis Week in Disney Parks Photos: The BOATHOUSE Docks at Downtown Disney view allThis Week in Disney Parks Photos: The BOATHOUSE Docks at Downtown Disney by Jennifer Fickley-Baker: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article
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There's a 40 percent chance for another round of thunderstorms late this afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. View the full article
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Happy 20th Birthday, Epcot Food and Wine Festival!! Can you believe it? 2015 will mark the 20th Consecutive Year that Walt Disney World has hosted this event. What started as a way to draw crowds during a slower part of the year has officially become a huge draw and destination in its own right. And even though it’s only (ONLY?!?) April, it is NEVER too early to start the countdown to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival! We’re already sharing who will be playing at the Eat to the Beat Concerts, so it’s definitely time to start booking your dates… This year’s Festival will once again run a record number of days — more than seven full weeks of food, music, and special events! But with so much awesomeness to enjoy, my number one piece of advice remains the same: Plan, Plan, Plan. And then Plan some more. And we have a fun and easy way for you to get started, even before the first menu or culinary demo is announced! The DFB Guide to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival is now available for pre-order. (Expected publish date is mid-Summer 2015.) And when you enter discount code “CHEFS” at checkout, you’ll enjoy $3 off the cover price! But AJ, Why Do I Want to Order the DFB Guide to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival Now?I’m really glad that you asked! The biggest and best reason for you to pre-order your 2015 DFB Guide to the Food and Wine Festival is that you’ll get the 2014 Guide immediately for FREE! Find out our best tips for visiting the World Showcase booths in the DFB Guide to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival e-Book! That means that you can start planning today! And I promise, that is something that you totally want to do. Because when Culinary Demonstrations, Seminars, and Other Special Events are announced, it’s usually just days before booking opens — and then they book up super fast. Time is of the essence when you’re ready to book. And with the Festival celebrating its 20th year, we already are expecting that it’s going to be truly over the top. Events with Celebrity Chefs, Like This One with Chef Gale Gand, Book Up Extra Fast We expect an expanded Marketplace offering, plus all kinds of Special Extras. What does all of this add up to? If you’re ever going to plan a trip to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, then 2015 is the year to do it!!! So, What Do You Get in the DFB Guide to the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival e-Book?As is the case with all of our DFB Guides, we’re making this edition downloadable for your convenience, and it’s a snap to install on all of your mobile devices. The 2014 version is a PDF guide with over 220 pages of detailed information about the Festival as well as photographs and customized bonus items, and we expect the 2015 guide to weigh in at a similar heft. If you’re on a budget, you’ll love our advice on how to make those dollars (or Disney Dining Plan snack credits) stretch all around World Showcase. And our FAQ section answers questions you didn’t even know you had! See Our Recommendations for Getting the Most Out of Your Snack Credits — Like the The Kalua Pork Slider from the Hawai’i Marketplace This guide is guaranteed to help you better plan a rewarding Food & Wine Festival tour, or your money back. And that’s the best news of all. Because we understand that your vacation time (and budget) are limited. We want you to get the most out of your visit! Here’s a list of just some of the Bonus Items included in the e-Book: A full, daily schedule of events for every day of the FestivalA printable World Showcase Booth Menu Checklist that you can use to plan, and easily bring with you to the FestivalThemed World Showcase booth crawls (there’s even one for the kids!)Food and Wine Festival customized Touring Strategies for One Day visits, Budget-Conscious visits, Visits with Kids, and moreA chapter dedicated to all “New for 2014″ events, menu items, booths, and moreFull food, wine, beer, winery, cocktail, and chef indexes, including dates and locations of where you can find your favoritesEpcot Food and Wine Festival recipesTop tips on how to use MyMagic+ at the Epcot Food and Wine FestivalAnd more!Don’t wait! Pre-order your DFB Guide to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival today, and get started planning for your Best. Festival! Ever!! Enjoy $3 off with discount code “CHEFS” and get a copy of our 2014 Guide immediately for free! We’ll send you the 2015 guide automatically to your email address as soon as it’s published in mid-Summer. Will you be visiting the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival? Share with us your plans 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: DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining e-Book: Pre-Order the 2015 Edition and Get the 2014 Edition FREE! Deal! Get 50% Off the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2015 Pre-Order for ONE MORE WEEK! DFB Deal of the Week: Pre-Order the 2015 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining and Enjoy Big Savings! View the full article
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A Daytona Beach biker bar worker was charged with slashing his employee's face with a hunting knife early Friday, police said. View the full article
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The Florida mailman who landed a gyrocopter on the lawn of the U.S. Capitol this week told a newspaper he was motivated by his son's suicide in a wrong-way, double-fatal crash on State Road 408 just west of Orlando in 2012. View the full article
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Sixty years ago this month, work was underway to create the Happiest Place on Earth. But before Disneyland would welcome its first guests on July 17, 1955, Walt Disney found a way to not just tell the public about this new entertainment enterprise … he showed it to them, using the cutting-edge technology of television to set the stage for his dream of Disneyland. In April 1954, Walt signed an agreement with the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) to produce the “Disneyland†television series. In exchange, ABC helped him out by investing in Disneyland – making the network a one-third owner of the park (Disney later bought out this investment and ABC is now part of the Walt Disney Company). The series ran on Wednesday nights from October 27, 1954, to September 3, 1958, and brought Walt’s vision straight into the living rooms of the very families he hoped would visit. In its first season, it won the Emmy for Best Variety Series and another the following year for Walt Disney as Best Producer of a Filmed Series. On opening day, ABC produced the largest live television broadcast to date with its coverage of the grand opening of Disneyland. The partnership between Disney and ABC would lead to other television classics, including “Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color†and “The Wonderful World of Disney,†bringing the magic and storytelling of Disney into American homes for decades. ‘Disneyland’ Television Show Sets the Stage for Walt Disney’s Dream by Erin Glover: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article