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Today, we’re getting a hearty start to our day with breakfast at Captain’s Grille! Learn About: Captain’s GrilleDisney World RestaurantsI’ve long considered Captain’s Grille to be a hidden gem at Walt Disney World. Located at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, this place isn’t much to look at (pretty boring, in fact), but they really do have some great food and there always seems to be a table available. I love heading here for a quiet, delicious lunch, or for a full breakfast spread. Similar to The Wave…of American Flavors at the Contemporary, at breakfast you can choose from the buffet or order from the a la carte menu. AtmosphereThe decor of Captain’s Grille is consistent with the rest of the Yacht Club Resort. You won’t find anything outlandish in this corner of Disney, just lots of blond wood and boaty details — stripes, stars, compass-type stuff, anchors…you know the deal. Captain’s Grille Seating The space is open with lots of light from overhead chandeliers and recessed light above as well as windows onto the lobby and grounds. The whole effect gives the room an airy feel. Seating is comprised of large padded chairs and booths. It’s fairly typical to find a sparsely populated dining room, so I’ve always considered the space to be roomy and comfortable. The Main Seating Area In the main seating area around the ceiling you’ll spy these porthole-type windows, which give you the feeling that you’re enjoying your meal below deck. Porthole Window Detail Shadow boxes feature interesting items, like this grouping of vintage keys. Decor While there aren’t tons of decorative details here, what you will find is pretty interesting. The three-dimensional sailing scenes are some of my favorite touches, and are a whimsical way to bring the theme into focus. A Ship Sailing the Ocean Blue Ocean Scenes Now that we’ve had a look around, let’s explore the breakfast options. EatsStarting your day off with a big breakfast while at Disney World can be a great strategy for saving money and time once you get into the Parks. And if that sounds like a good plan to you, Captain’s Grille is a great place to fuel up. Captain’s Grille offers a crowd-pleasing approach to food as well. You can choose from a buffet spread if you’d like to graze (or eat quickly to make it to your first fastpass of the day), or order from their a la carte menu, which features a couple of house specialties that are pretty interesting. I’ll be sharing those with you a little later on. Breakfast Menu — Click to Enlarge One thing I knew for sure. As I looked over the menu, I had to order a Mimosa. This is the ultimate in treating yourself, and if you’re indulging in a leisurely breakfast at Disney World…you know, before a full day of chasing your kids around theme parks…why not? Mimosa Let’s explore the buffet a bit, and then we’ll take a look at a few of the a buffet items and la carte entrees that we enjoyed. Captain’s Grille BuffetAs Disney breakfast buffets go, this one is pretty typical, but plentiful. You would have to be an extremely picky eater not to find something that appeals! Buffet It’s important to note that the the two sides of the buffet are not mirror images. You’ll want to check out both sides, because they offer completely different dishes. Since spreads like this can be a little overwhelming, I like to break them down by category. We’ll get started with some cold items. Cold Breakfast Buffet ItemsYou can begin your meal with several Fresh Fruit options. The day we visited, we found Grapes, Pineapple, Watermelon, and Cantaloupe. Grapes and Pineapple Diced Watermelon and Cantaloupe Yogurt, Cottage Cheese, and Prunes are also on offer. Yogurt, Cottage Cheese, and Prunes Tomato Slices, Cream Cheese, and Smoked Salmon are available to top your Bagels. Tomato Slices, Cream Cheese, and Smoked Salmon A Salad of Quinoa with Strawberry Vinaigrette packs a protein punch. You’ll also find Hard Boiled and Diced Eggs, in addition to Onions and Capers, all good choices to accompany your smoked salmon. Strawberry Quinoa Salad, Onion, Capers, Whole and Chopped Hard-Boiled Eggs Cereals and BreadsA full array of Breakfast Breads are also on hand to round out your plate. We found Danish and Quickbreads. Danish and Quickbreads There were also Mini Croissants and Cinnamon Rolls — always so hard to resist! Mini Croissants and Danish Mini Muffins are sized just right so that you can enjoy a couple of bites, or try a few different flavors. Mini Muffin Selection House Made Granola is also available, alongside Brown Sugar and Dried Fruits — perfect for finishing off your hot cereal or yogurt. Granola, Brown Sugar, Dried Fruits And if all else fails, you (or those picky little ones who are always following you around) can fill up on Cold Cereal. Dry Cereal Selection Time to check out the hot side of things! Hot Breakfast Buffet ItemsMore delicious options await you as you step up to the hot buffet. You can start your tour here with a selection of Biscuits and Gravy or Oatmeal. Biscuits, Gravy, Oatmeal A full array of Egg-Based Items are available as well. Choose from Scrambled Eggs, or go with something a little fancier. We found a variety of Mini Frittatas and Quiches, perfect for trying lots of different things. Eggs and Individual Quiches Egg White Frittatas filled with Spinach and topped with Tomato were a healthy alternative to heavier options. Mini Frittata of the Day, Egg White Tomato and Cheese Frittata And who can resist a crisp, cheesy Hashbrown Casserole? Hash Brown Casserole Broiled Tomatoes, Grilled Turkey Sausage, and Grits were part of the spread as well. Broiled Tomatoes, Turkey Sausage, Grits You can also choose some Bacon and Sausage to go with your…Bread Pudding. Because every breakfast needs a little dessert, I say. Bacon, Sausage, and Bread Pudding Team Sweet is also well represented by Pancakes, French Toast, and of course, Mickey Waffles! And don’t forget the Bananas Foster Sauce. You better believe I won’t. Pancakes, Mini Waffles, French Toast You have lots of choices when it comes time to top them, too. How about Warm Syrup? Warm Syrup Or channel your inner child with Sprinkles and Chocolate Sauce. Rainbow Sprinkles and Chocolate Sauce Whipped Cream, Butter, Cherries, and M&Ms are also good options! Waffle Toppings So much to process! It was hard to make a decision, but we did manage to do it at last! We ordered both the buffet and a few a la carte options. I started out with one of the Quiche of the Day options. With several different varieties, it was easy to find flavors that appealed. The Peppers in this one offered nice flavor contrast, and the melted Monterey Jack cheese on top provided an extra rich note. Quiche of the Day — Up Close And of course…we are not visiting a Disney buffet without having at least one Mickey Waffle! We enjoyed this one with some of that delicious, rich, and super sweet Bananas Foster Sauce. Mickey Waffle and Bananas Foster Syrup Earlier, as I reviewed the menu, I happened to notice a couple of my favorite things in the whole world — Lemon Curd and White Chocolate Ganache. Both were featured as components on other dishes — the White Chocolate Ganache tops the Citrus-Scented French Toast, while the Lemon Curd is part of the Lemon-Ricotta Hotcakes. I couldn’t resist asking for a little ramekin of each, and our server happily obliged. How awesome? Very. Lemon Curd White Chocolate Ganache A couple of menu items caught our eye as well. We were really intrigued by the Dark Chocolate Waffles. Isn’t this plate beautiful? Chocolate Waffles are topped with a Dried Cherry Compote, Espresso-Mascarpone Cream, and Chocolate Shavings. The waffles had an essence of chocolate, but weren’t overpowering. The cherries were awesome! Wish I’d had more of them! Dark Chocolate Waffles The Waffles come with your choice of Bacon or Sausage, and I went with the latter. Sausage Links But one of the Grille’s most well-known breakfast items is the Lobster Omelet. Sounds so luxurious, right? My friend chose this one. The Omelet itself is stuffed with Butter-Poached Lobster and Asparagus. It’s topped with a dollop of Chive Cream and accompanied by shredded Hashbrown Potatoes. A fresh Arugula Salad with Tomatoes provided a good dose of color. Lobster Omelet The dish got high marks. It had plenty of Lobster, both inside and as a garnish. And I think the most amazing thing is the price! You’d expect this to be pretty expensive, but it’s only a little more than many of the other menu items. Lobster Omelet — Inside We definitely were satisfied with our incredible breakfast. Soon we were on our way, ready to walk toward Epcot for a morning of exploration. OverallI have always loved Captain’s Grille for lunch. The restaurant is conveniently located so close to both Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios that it’s the perfect destination for a quiet break in the middle of the day. And though I’d had breakfast here once before, I hadn’t been back in a long time. It continues to deliver.  The food was delicious — both what we ordered from the menu, and what we enjoyed from the buffet. Every selection was hot and fresh. The spread here will fill you up, however. If you’re looking for excuses to stop for a snack later, you may want to find a lighter option. But if a substantial, interesting buffet within walking distance of two theme parks sounds like a great way to start your Disney day, I strongly recommend you check out the Captain’s Grille. You won’t leave hungry, I promise. Do you enjoy kicking your Disney day off with breakfast at Captain’s Grill? Leave a comment and tell us what you think! 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: Guest Review: Captain’s Grille Breakfast Buffet at Disney’s Yacht Club ResortGuest Review: Captain’s Grille at Disney’s Yacht Club ResortNews: Cosmetic Changes and a Menu Refresh for Captain’s Grille at Disney’s Yacht Club View the full article

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GalleryDisney Magic Creates Spectacular ‘Frozen’ Gingerbread Castle at Walt Disney World Resort view allThis week, we featured some “must-see” time-lapse videos on the Disney Parks Blog, including an amazing look at the all-new Disney’s Contemporary Resort Gingerbread Holiday Ice Castle inspired by Disney’s blockbuster film, “Frozen”. Watch our video and try to find Olaf. He’s hidden 14 places in the display. Pam also included more details about the 17-foot-tall masterpiece in her original story. We also kicked off a new series at Disney’s Contemporary Resort this week. Our “Room with a View” stories will feature suites at the Walt Disney World Resort that have something special in common – a spectacular view. Our first room with a view is a Club Level 1 Bedroom Theme Park View Suite on the 14th floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort. You can see more images as well as book a stay at the Resort in our original story. Here are some of the other stories we worked on this week. Mad T Party Steps Out of Disney California Adventure Park and Back Through the Looking Glass November 30 – Mad T Party will leave Disney California Adventure park after its November 30 performance. This is your chance to travel down the rabbit hole one more time! Disneyland Resort Entertainment Team Shares Their Favorite Festive Feature for ‘it’s a small world’ Holiday – Watch as the same team behind Haunted Mansion Holiday’s magical makeover tells us about their favorite holiday enhancements at another famous attraction! Visions of the Future Spring Up at Downtown Disney – Get a few more glimpses of the future as Downtown Disney continues to undergo its transformation into Disney Springs. Planning for a Day at Castaway Cay – Dolly from the Disney Parks Moms Panel shares some of the excellent activities to take part in on this island paradise! Unforgettable Details of Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa: What’s in the Name? – Learn the significance behind the name of Disney’s beautiful resort on O’ahu, and how it seeks to celebrate Hawai‘i’s rich legacy of storytelling. Runners Show Off Their ‘Super Hero Side’ at Avengers Super Heroes Half Marathon – Meet some of the super heroes who ran the inaugural Avengers Super Heroes Half Marathon last weekend. December 2014 Merchandise Events at the Disneyland Resort – Disney Parks Blog author Michelle Harker shares some of the details on merchandise events coming to Disneyland Resort in December. Disney Parks Blog Weekly Recap by Thomas Smith: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

Musical guests Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson supplied the most entertaining moments on "Saturday Night Live" this weekend. But "Weekend Update" delivered the headline-making material. View the full article

The finishing touches are being made on holiday displays around Walt Disney World! And we can’t wait for all of the delicious goodies!! Holiday souvenir cup Gingerbread displays, treats, and souvenir mugs are adding extra cheer to the parks and resorts. Visit the links below for more holiday fun! And don’t forget to read about new restaurants possibly opening in the Animal Kingdom! Disney Food NewsSelect Walt Disney World resorts are celebrating the holidays with gingerbread displays!Check out holiday treats, gingerbread displays, and new menu items in our What’s New around Walt Disney World article!We have news about expansions coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World — including the possibility of some brand new restaurants!We tried the new Frozen Olaf Lemonade Strawberry bar from Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!We have news about the 2015 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival — including dates and fun features! 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 closures, 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 from Disney, share a photo with us on facebook or twitter so we can add it to our DFB Reader Finds each Sunday! During his cupcake crawl, DFB Reader Barry tweeted us this Agent P Cherry Chocolate Cupcake. Get your Perry the Platypus Cupcakes at the Contempo Cafe inside Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Agent P Cherry Chocolate Cupcake Facebook Friend Paula shared this Mickey Gelato Waffle Sundae from the End Zone Food Court at All-Star Sports Resort. And she gives a tip — “it can be ordered as a dessert in the dining plan, but not as a snack.” Mickey Waffle Gelato Sundae Make us jealous; send in your favorite finds! DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays 2014Tis the season to eat, drink, and go to Walt Disney World! And that means it’s time to pick up a copy of the DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays 2014 e-Book! The DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World Holidays 2014 e-Book Is Here!The DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World Holidays 2014 e-Book features 310 pages of all the info you need to know before you head to Walt Disney World for the holiday season, including NEW events and holiday happenings, over 250 photos, and an informative FAQ section. It includes: Detailed descriptions and photos of every holiday event and activity happening at the parks and resorts this year — including tips on how to make the best use of your time and money when visiting!A fully comprehensive holiday dining section with listings of holiday snacks, treats, meals, and menu items offered this year — from popcorn kiosks all the way to Signature Restaurants.New chapter on where to dine with no advance dining reservations.New chapter on 10 must-eat snacks this holiday season.A clickable 3-Month Schedule of Holiday Events so you can see at-a-glance what looks interesting to you.Comprehensive listings — with color photos! — of Disney Resort holiday decor and gingerbread displaysOur recommendations on ways to SAVE while you’re in Disney World this holiday season.A full chapter dedicated to all “New for 2014″ events, dining options, and activities, including what’s new at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, The Celebrate the Magic Castle Show, and the Epcot Candlelight Processional.Updated Scavenger Hunts Disney Cruise Line ChapterA Preview of the 2015 Holidays in Disney WorldAnd more!Don’t Miss Out on Any Disney Holiday Fun!You’re probably paying a lot of money for your Disney holiday vacation…and we’re here to make sure you get the biggest bang for your buck! And with the holiday season already here, the time is now! Holiday Guide Sample Pages Booking early for holiday events and dining is critical, and our exclusive holiday dining and event information is the most efficient way to plan your holiday strategy. On a budget? Find out how to make those dollars stretch all around Disney World. As always, we’ve made this guide instantly downloadable for your convenience. It’s easily installed on your mobile devices. And this guide is guaranteed to help you better plan a memorable holiday trip, or your money back — we all know that your vacation time (and budget) are limited and we want you to get the most out of your visit! DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World Holidays Bonus ItemsOf course, the guide includes customized bonus items that go above and beyond any other holiday season coverage currently available. These include: Themed holiday crawls (there’s even one for seasonal beverages!)Customized Holiday Touring Strategies for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, gingerbread displays, and moreOur suggestions for the best restaurants to visit when you don’t have a reservation…on the busiest days of the yearA full section on great holiday activities and events for kidsAnd more! We even have an updated and expanded FAQ section that answers questions you didn’t even know you had!Don’t forget — for easy access in the parks, put the guide on your smartphone or ipad! Once again, celebrate the grand launch with us by getting $3 off the purchase price for the e-Book TODAY!Order your copy now for only $11.95 (regularly $14.95). To secure the discount, use code JINGLE at the check-out. For more detailed information and sample pages from The DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World Holidays 2014, head over to the DFB Store! BUNDLE FOR SAVINGS! And if you want an even BETTER deal, snap up our DFB Holiday Bundle! This includes the DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World Holidays AND our original DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2014! With a 100% 30-day, money-back guarantee on all of our guides, you have nothing to lose! Thanks for your support of the DFB!Dole Whip Coaster Set On to the Round-Up!Mickey Fix has us salivating with these luscious Dole Whip coasters. Perfect gift for the Disney Dole Whip fans on your holiday shopping list! DisZine highlights Disneyland Merchandise Events in December. Look for gingerbread house pins! Walt Disney World for Grown Ups features hot chocolate at Walt Disney World. Perfect for holiday sipping! Disney Parks Blog visits the new holiday gingerbread house at Disney’s Californian Hotel at Disneyland. Yesterland spotlights Carnation Plaza Gardens at Disneyland. Yes, Carnation ice cream was served here. Orlando Business Journal shares the possibility of celebrity chef Rick Bayless opening a restaurant in the new Disney Springs at Downtown Disney Orlando. 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: November 16, 2014Disney Food Post Round-Up: November 9, 2014Disney Food Post Round-Up: November 2, 2014 View the full article

Earlier this week, we celebrated Mickey Mouse’s birthday with a “Mickey takeover” of the Disney Parks Blog. GalleryThis Week in Disney Parks Photos: A Happy Birthday to Mickey Mouse view all Our favorite pal was brought into existence by creator Walt Disney on November 18, 1928. Be sure to click through the gallery above to see photos of Mickey Mouse throughout the history of our parks. This Week in Disney Parks Photos: A Happy Birthday to Mickey Mouse by Jennifer Fickley-Baker: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

With cooler temperatures on the rise (wait… that’s not right ), it’s that time of year to curl up with a warm beverage in your favorite mug! Of course, it happens to coincide with the time of year to think of gift-giving (and receiving!). So let’s take a look at some super fun Disney mugs that hit the scene in a veritable Mug-a-palooza! If you’d like to get a little shopping done while you’re at it, just click any of the links below… Okay, I don’t know how much she’ll help you against the chill, but this purple Elsa Mug captures the Frozen Queen quite nicely… Elsa Mug For Halloween, Christmas, or anytime of year, really, you gotta love this awesome Sally from the Nightmare Before Christmas Mug! Sally Mug “Red 5 standing by.” Leave it to Luke Skywalker… not only is he preparing for the Deathstar Battle, he’s also serving up your morning cuppa joe as a Mug version of himself! Luke Skywalker Mug It’s a three-fer! This set of Star Wars Stackable Mugs let’s you twist-and-match Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and a Stormtrooper. Star Wars Stackable Mugs This festive Mickey Mouse Mug comes with its own spoon to stir an extra dollop (or two!) of whipped cream into your hot cocoa. Mickey Spoon and Mug Set Don’cha think the Big Guy deserves a warm beverage of his own? Leave a little something for Santa with this Cookies for Santa Mug and Plate Set. Cookies for Santa Mug and Plate Set If you’ve got 999 Happy Haunts in your life, then your gift-giving list is probably pretty huge… How about this scuplted Haunted Mansion Mug? What’s that hand doing there?!? Haunted Mansion Mug It may take more than this Iron Man Mug to help you feel like a superhero in the morning, but it can’t hurt! Iron Man Mug Who knew Goofy was such a morning person? I love the vivid colors of the Goofy Brights Mug. Goofy Mug This mug is as close as I’m ever going to get to having the Animal Kingdom’s Tree of Life in my house. Tree of Life Mug This Figural Bambi Mug is truly unique and understated. Bambi Mug Can you spy the silver Mickey in this Happy Hanukkah Mug? Happy Hanukkah Mug Maybe you have a princess in your life that would love this beautiful Aurora Mug… Aurora Mug But if mornings make you feel a little crabby, this Evil Queen Mug might be more your style. I like the sketch drawings all around the final color image. Evil Queen Mug So, here’s something fun… If you click on this Create Your Own WALL-E Mug link, it will lead you to options to create your own WALL-E or Eve Mug, or even a BnL logo mug, customizable with style and color options! I like how the Create-Your-Own series gives you options to find less often seen but well-loved characters, like the gang from Ratatouille or Up. Or how about The Incredibles? Would you believe the Create Your Own Star Wars Mug section has 150 options, from Mace Windu to Jabba the Hut to a Rebel Insignia? Create Your Own Mugs Happy sipping and shopping to all! Which of the above is your favorite mug? 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: Disney Holiday Gift Guide 2014: Star Wars Kitchen GoodiesDisney Holiday Gift Guide 2014: Holiday for Your Home CollectionDisney Holiday Gift Guide 2013: Great Gift Ideas! View the full article

A flurry of excitement is swirling at Disney Parks. Why? The ‘cool’ new collection from Beautifully Disney debuting in stores now will undoubtedly melt your heart with its spectrum of colors inspired by the award-winning film, “Frozen.” New to the collection this year is the Rollerball Eye Shadow set. Designed with rollerball tip for effortless application, the lightweight, shimmering silver-toned Elegant Ice and golden-toned Sparkling eye shadows glide on with seamless precision for illuminated eyes. The shimmery loose shadows add dimension and light, creating a delicate dance of glistening crystals for your eyes. Tip: Simply glide the rollerball directly onto the eyelid for a subtle touch of glamour. Do you want to build … the perfect manicure? The whimsical winter colors of Spiraling Snow, Magnificent Power, Frozen Queen and Miss Royal Pants will help you do just that! Sparkling Snow is, of course, one of my favorites as it leaves me with a glittering feeling of fallen snowflakes on my fingertips. Those who are a bit more daring might find Magnificent Power a bit cooler for their taste. One of this year’s must-have items includes the newly designed eye shadow palette featuring eight different shades ranging from warm earth tones to fun frosty hues. Discover the magic inside as you mix and match colors to create your own look. Tip: Use colors like Crystal Snowflake and Powers Unleashed to create a classic and regal looking cat-eye. Or try shades like Touched By Magic and Follow Your Heart for a simple yet elegant twist. Your look is almost complete … the final touch: the lips. Find which one of the mini-lipstick sets suits your style, whether it is the soft pink of Regal Beauty, the rich mauve of Radiant Heart, the vibrant fuchsia of Queen To Be or the daring violet shade of Optimistic. Tip: These mini lipsticks are easy to take with you and create the perfect application for any occasion. Look for this new collection and other fan favorites in stores now at the Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts, including the following locations: Disneyland Resort Downtown Disney District – Disney Vault 28Disneyland park – Disney ClothiersDisney California Adventure park – Elias & Co.Walt Disney World Resort Downtown Disney Marketplace – Marketplace Co-Op – Beautifully DisneyI know this new collection is on my list of things to pick up this holiday season. Is it on yours? The Beautifully Disney ‘Frozen’ Collection Debuts at Disney Parks by Michelle Harker: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

Cast members say that one of the best parts of working for the Disneyland Resort is the encouragement we receive to give back to our communities. This year, Disneyland Resort cast members granted 85 Southern California nonprofit organizations a total of $415,000 in grants through the Disney VoluntEARS Community Fund (DVCF). That’s nearly $2.2 million since the program’s inception in 1997! DVCF is funded entirely by cast members through regular payroll deductions or one-time donations. Those who contribute during the year have the opportunity to nominate an organization of their choice. The organizations, from local schools to social service agencies, received up to $5,000 each. Organizations that received a grant this year include American Heart Association, Boys & Girls Club, Make-A-Wish and Sam Dimas Mountain Rescue. Check out the video below and watch Christine Ludin, a hotels cast member at the Disneyland Resort, present $5,000 to the Southern California Special Olympics! Disneyland Resort Cast Members Grant Nearly $2.2M to Southern California Nonprofits Since 1997 by Melanie Vogel: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

Cast members say that one of the best parts of working for the Disneyland Resort is the encouragement we receive to give back to our communities. Read more at the Disney Parks Blog: http://bit.ly...From:Disney ParksViews:37628ratingsTime:02:25More inTravel & Events

We all know about the upcoming addition of Avatar Land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom as well as the Rivers of Light Evening Spectacular. Rivers of Light at Disney’s Animal Kingdom But today, we’re also hearing news of more expansion coming to other areas of Animal Kingdom — including new eating options! New Africa Marketplace May Include Counter Service Dining OptionWDWMagic.com is reporting that construction is underway on an expansion to the Harambe Village area of Africa. The development is taking place in an area that was previously backstage. When completed, the new area, called Africa Marketplace, will provide additional retail space and will include a new walkway connecting Africa and Asia. Welcome news, right? After all, it can become crazy crowded in this area, with only one way in and out. Africa Marketplace will be located between Kilimanjaro Safari and Mombasa Marketplace. Africa Marketplace Concept Art, Courtesy WDWMagic.com But we are most excited about new eats, of course! And it’s being reported that Africa Marketplace will also include a brand new counter service location, Harambe Marketplace. The new restaurant will feature multiple ordering windows and will offer African-inspired cuisine. Other New Dining Options Coming to Animal Kingdom?There is also a rumor that work has begun on another restaurant at Animal Kingdom — this one located in Discovery Island. Pizzafari may soon share its location with a new table service spot, as construction has begun to convert and expand the space. We are still awaiting news of the name and menu of the new restaurant, and all of this information is subject to change. Pizzafari may be getting a Table Service neighbor We are also hearing rumors about a possible expansion to Flame Tree Barbecue — and that would be welcome news! It’s pretty normal to see crazy long lines at this popular eating spot, which offers some delicious and hearty barbecue fare. A Bigger Flame Tree Barbecue? Yes, Please! Stay tuned to Disney Food Blog and we’ll bring you more details as soon as we have them! Exciting news about this beloved Park! What do you think of an expansion to the eating options within Disney’s Animal Kingdom? Leave us a comment and tell us what you hope to see at these two new restaurants! 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: Top 5 Restaurants at Disney’s Animal Kingdom ParkHalloween Treats at Disney’s Animal KingdomHomemade Ice Cream Sandwich Available at New Location in Disney’s Animal Kingdom View the full article

If you’re looking for something different at Disney to do with the kids while they are out of school for the holidays, Disney Golf has some ideas for you. How about putting the kids in a golf camp? Starting December 22, Disney Golf is offering a series of special one-day holiday golf camps for juniors. The camps are December 22, 23, 29 and 30 at Disney’s Lake Buena Vista golf course at Walt Disney World Resort. The camps offer PGA instruction on all facets of the game, from putting to on-course play. Naturally, the camps are designed to appeal to kids through games, prizes and an overall fun atmosphere. Kids ages 7-17 can participate in one camp or all four. Each one-day camp runs from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. and costs $115 per kid (includes lunch and beverages). To sign up your kid, call (407) WDW-Golf or go to www.golfwdw.com. There’s also something new for adults this holiday season. Guests looking to get in a few holes early before hitting the theme parks can take advantage of Disney Golf’s new Sunrise 9 promotion which allows golfers to play nine holes starting anytime between 7 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. any day based on availability. The rate is $29 and includes a breakfast sandwich, plus a beverage before and after your round at Disney’s Palm, Magnolia or Oak Trail golf courses. To book a tee time, call (407) WDW-Golf or go to www.golfwdw.com/sunrise-9/. Get into the Holiday ‘Swing’ with Disney Golf by Darrell Fry: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

He may make a run for president, but former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush shows no sign of backing away from controversial "Common Core" learning standards denounced by tea party conservatives as well as many educators. View the full article

Happy National Gingerbread Day! To celebrate, I’m giving you a sneak peek at the brand-new gingerbread house coming to Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa at Disneyland Resort. Opening on November 27, this gingerbread house was created by a talented team of 25 artists, engineers and bakers, and it will take a total of 1,400 hours to bake and create the edible portion alone! The house measures in at a whopping 7 ½ feet tall and 12 feet wide. Which might leave you wondering: what goes into a gingerbread house of this scope? More than 500 pounds of gingerbread60 gallons of frosting and icing100 pounds of isomalt sugar50 pounds of granulated sugar50 pounds of powdered sugar2 gallons of egg whites1 quart of lemon juiceWant to bring home a piece of the holiday magic? Seasonal offerings for sale include: Gingerbread shingles and other assorted holiday cookiesHoliday cookie-decorating kitsGingerbread house kitsSpecialty hot chocolate and ciderRun, run, run as fast as you can to Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa on November 27 to check out this sweet masterpiece! First Look at the New Gingerbread House at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa at Disneyland Resort by Rachel Brent: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

Voyez comment Véro profite du nouveau programme MyMagic+ au Walt Disney World Resort en Floride. MyMagic+ vous offre un contrôle sans précédent, vous permettant encore plus facilement de...From:Disney ParksViews:11ratingsTime:02:17More inTravel & Events

Mais três dias de diversão grátis | Walt Disney World | Portuguese Crie mais memórias mágicas com sua família no Walt Disney World Resort. Com este pacote de hospedagem e ingresso especial, você pode se divertir mais ainda com 3 dias extras! http://di.sn/g00G...From:Disney ParksViews:30ratingsTime:00:31More inTravel & Events View the full article

Even pirates tend to catch the holiday spirit during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parties, and there’s no better example than this – a holiday musical performance by Rusty Cutlass band. In the video below, the pirates gather to play “one of the prettiest Christmas songs they know.” What do you think? Look for the pirates to perform in Adventureland during party nights at 7:45, 8:45, 9:45 and 10:45 p.m. Listen As Rusty Cutlass Pirate Band Plays Holiday Tunes at Magic Kingdom Park by Jennifer Fickley-Baker: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

Even pirates tend to catch the holiday spirit during Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parties, and there's no better example than this - a holiday musical performance by Rusty Cutlass band....From:Disney ParksViews:201148ratingsTime:03:31More inTravel & Events