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The person who called in bomb threats to Seminole County elementary schools Friday could, if caught, face up to 16 years in prison and have to pay the county for inciting a massive police response. View the full article

As controversy over marine captivity has heightened, some attractions are eliminating or scaling back dolphin shows and facing government crackdowns on whale breeding. View the full article

Sanford ER doctor was killed on S.R. 417 by wrong-way driver Sanford ER doctor was killed on S.R. 417 by wrong-way driver View the full article

Students at the University of Central Florida recently busted out their best moves for a dance cam in the school's student union. View the full article

Another thing to love about fall at Disney Parks – in addition to colorful decor, Halloween parties and trick-or-treating – are the special seasonal treats that are making their way into our parks. Earlier this week, Food & Beverage author Rachel Brent showed off some of the yummy treats that are now available at the Disneyland Resort. Among the mouth-watering treats she shared photos of were Banana Fritters, Pumpkin Beignets, Caramel Apple Smoothie and much more. GalleryHalloween Time Snacks and Sweets at Disneyland Resort view allRachel also gave us a great look at the spooky snacks available this fall at the Walt Disney World Resort. GalleryWildly Spooky Treats at Walt Disney World Resort view allThe witch cupcakes sure look delicious to me. Which treat would be your fav? Tell us in the “Comments” section below! This Week in Disney Parks Photos: Yummy Fall Treats by Jennifer Fickley-Baker: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

Some experiences stay with us. When I was 16, my father was driving me home from a school play when we saw flashing lights. We hadn't been speeding. I remember my father asking the police officer what was wrong. The officer ignored his question and demanded identification. View the full article

The 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival is underway, and this year marks the debut of several new options for Festival guests. We’re going to cover two of the most popular — and most expensive — today! The Epcot Food & Wine Festival Premium Package is available exclusively to Disney Resort guests (as well as guests at Swan & Dolphin and Golden Oak), and the Food and Wine Festival — Late Nights LIVE! after hours party, which is available for purchase to all guests. Premium Package credential, gift card, and themed MagicBand Today we’re breaking down the components into a few sections beginning with the Food & Wine Premium Package. At the end of the post, we’ll go over our thoughts regarding value for the price of these options. Epcot Food & Wine Festival Premium PackageThere are three main components to the Food & Wine Premium Festival Package available for Disney Resort guests: In-Room Amenities, dedicated Food & Wine Festival Premium Package Areas at Epcot, and entrance into the Epcot Food & Wine Late Nights Live! party. The package costs $199/person. In-room AmenitiesI was definitely curious to see the in-room amenities included in the package, though I had some idea from the official description from Disney: “a select bottle of wine (for Guests over 21 years of age), a festival wine glass and delicious chocolate truffles.” I arrived to my resort a few hours early, hoping for the possibility of an early check-in. I was kindly accommodated, but since I arrived early, I actually picked up my gift bag at Concierge Services at the front desk. So, if you are participating in this package and are also an early check-in hopeful (before 3:00PM), that’s just something to keep in mind. With that said, I received everything in a thermal Food & Wine tote. Amenities Bag Let’s check off the list, starting with the wine, which was a bottle of “Sogno d’ Italia (Dream of Italy)” Chianti. It was one of the bottles “made exclusively for Disney Parks.” Dream of Italy Chianti Sogno d’Italia label Guests can find this wine sold in the Italy Pavilion (we’ll have a “math breakdown” later on to discuss more of the value). A Food and Wine Festival souvenir stemless wine glass is part of the package as well. Souvenir wine glass Four truffles came in an edible box made of dark chocolate, topped with a white chocolate themed decoration. Truffle box made of chocolate Flavors included salted caramel, cherry, ganache, and white chocolate. Truffles The in-room amenities are fun, and it did feel a little like a holiday, opening gifts upon arrival. Gifts inside the amenities bag But it may be the next three items that are of the most interest: a Food & Wine themed MagicBand, a $50 Disney gift card, and the Premium Package “credential” lanyard, which grants guests access to exclusive Premium Package Areas within the Festival. Premium Package credential, gift card, and themed MagicBand The credential is a lanyard to wear around the Festival, and while we’ll explore its design and function more in the next section, it’s worth noting that one side is printed with the dates the guest can access the Premium Package areas. The MagicBand is decorated with the current signature artwork for the Food and Wine Festival. Themed MagicBand Themed MagicBand Finally, there is a $50 Disney gift card. It’s the “wristband” style for ease of use at the booths. Disney Gift Card And if you’ve purchased this package as a diehard Food and Wine Festival fan, clearly there’s only one place to spend it (though now is as good a time as any to note that it’s a regular Disney gift card, and can be used anywhere a Disney gift card can be used ;-D) Off to EPCOT! Food and Wine Premium Package AreasTen locations have been placed around World Showcase for the exclusive use of Premium Package guests. These areas operate from 12:00 – 8:00 pm on Mondays through Thursdays. This is where that credential lanyard comes into play. Not only does it grant you access to those areas, but — cleverly — the designated areas are also printed on the lanyard. Premium Area map on credential lanyard I didn’t realize how handy that little map would be until I arrived at World Showcase. Without it, I may have missed the areas. You will see that the designated spaces blend in quite well with the all-access areas, equipped with the standard Food & Wine Festival high-standing tables. Premium Area near Italy What I really appreciated about this set-up was that it didn’t scream “PREMIUM PACKAGE HERE!!” Those who aren’t participants in the Premium Package will likely not feel excluded. I like how they blended in, while the credential map is detailed well enough to make the areas easy to find if you’re on the lookout. So, here’s the drill: Step One: You arrive to the area as designated on the lanyard map, and see a sign that indicates which Marketplaces that particular Premium Area services. Premium Package area designation Step Two: You can show your credential to the Cast Members staffing the area (okay, actually the lanyard is huge, and they’ll probably spot it without you waving it . Step Three: The Cast Members will provide a menu with all the items available so you don’t have to check out each individual booth prior to getting to the area to decide what you want. (All booth menu items are available.) Menu at Premium Area Step Four: Place your order, and pay for your item (cash registers are set up in front of the tables). Cash register in front of area Step Five: A Cast Member goes to the booth for you and returns with your item! Here’s my tasty Baklava from Morocco, kept nicely dry by the kind Cast Member who brought it to me. Baklava from Morocco booth I mention “kept dry,” because this was the scene at Epcot on the first day of my visit… Rainy day at Epcot Even Duffy had to defend against the elements! Rainy day Duffy Now, while I really do think it’s cool how the Premium Areas blend in, this is a good time to mention that there is no covering or seating in the Premium Areas — at least, not at the time of this writing. It will be interesting to see if this changes as the Festival continues. I owe many thanks to the Cast Members who did their best to keep me dry and helped me have a great time while noshing on my baklava. I had an entirely different experience when I returned two days later (though my resort stay was only one night, I had access to the Premium Areas through Thursday, as designated on my credential).  The improved weather made it possible to really enjoy the premium views around the lagoon that have been reserved for this experience. View from a Premium Area Cast Members do their best to provide a fantastic experience, waiting on guests in the area from arrival to departure, and ensuring you’re well taken care of. Italian Margarita and Cannoli set up by Cast Member The whole not-waiting-in-line thing is definitely a great perk. Festival fans know how the lines can get, especially on evenings and weekends of the Festival. But it was also nice not having to hunt for a table.  Top it off with some terrific views, great Cast Members and tasty food, and it really was an enjoyable experience. Italian Margarita There is one more inclusion to with the Premium Packages, which is entry into the Food & Wine Festival – Late Nights LIVE! event. Food and Wine Festival — Late Nights Live! PartyPart of the Premium Package is entrance into a Food and Wine Festival – Late Nights Live! after hours party. Entrance to this event can also be purchased as a standalone event for $79.00 (tax not included). The primary difference is that the Premium Package is available only for Disney Resort guests, whereas entrance to just the Late Nights Live party is available for non-Resort guests as well. Premium Package participants should note that this event only takes place on Thursday nights throughout the Festival, so you’ll want to be sure your reservation dates line up accordingly to receive the full value for your Package. For guests who purchase this option as a standalone, admission to Epcot is included during the event as it is with other Disney hard ticket events. Where to start? Party guests will want to head to the Festival Center in Future World where you’ll see a sign upon entering the building designating the “Late Nights Live Check-in” spot. Late Night Live check in Late Night Live check in Because guests can access the event after hours, another check-in area is located at the International Gateway entrance into Epcot. Guests receive a credential lanyard marked with the date of their party, which serves as an entrance “ticket.” Late Nights Live credential The credential has 6 perforated “coupons” attached to it. These are entitlements to six food and beverage items at the party. (Remember the “Year of a Million Dreams” super fastpasses way back when? Yeah — it’s kind of like that.) Five are marked as “Valid for 1 item” and one is marked “Valid for 1 souvenir glow cup” (more on these after we enter the party). Coupons attached to lanyard Typically, the finale of any great day at the Food & Wine Festival caps off with a viewing of IllumiNations. But the day isn’t over yet for guests at Late Nights Live! Once IllumiNations is over, you can make your way toward the United Kingdom Pavilion, where the designated party area extends into World Showcase Plaza and beyond to the center of the World Showcase Promenade. The party begins at 9:45PM and lasts until 1:00AM. After hours at Epcot At first, it seems like just an extension of regular Epcot hours, enjoying the typical atmosphere of Epcot at night. But things start to change with the arrival of street performers decked out in fiber optic lights glowing in the dark. Street performers Street performers Street performers Street performers So, umm… I’m sure there is a setting on my camera that works perfectly well for “dancers spinning fiber optics in the dark,” but since it’s not called exactly that, I have no idea what it is. Sorry for the blur! As you wander, you’ll happen upon other areas of entertainment, including a live DJ playing dance music to deliver a party vibe. Late Nights DJ Other areas housed live musicians, and I thought they were top notch talent. I spent a good chunk of time in World Showplace, listening to “Martini Pop,” a band playing everything from classic jazz to current hits (and even a few Disney classics) with unique arrangements and impressive vocal power. World Showplace “Martini Pop” And outside near the Canada booth, a duo performed acoustic versions of songs ranging from the Black Crowes to Macklemore to Johnny Cash. If you’ve ever happened upon Bryan Malpass (the guitar player and vocalist) playing live in Downtown Disney, you know what a treat it is to listen. Acoustic duo Of course, what’s a party — especially one at the Food & Wine Festival — without eats? Be sure to have your lanyard handy, because you’ll be able to use it for five food or drink items of your choosing at the following booths: Ireland, Canada, Greece, the Refreshment Port, Desserts and Champagne, and Hawaii. Ireland booth Greece booth sign The full menus are available, and nothing is off limits with your entitlement coupon. Canada menu My one moment of concern was when I tried to make use of my coupon valid for the souvenir glow cup. It can be redeemed at the Refreshment Port, and I headed there right when the party opened. The line looked like this, and I feared for overcrowding for the rest of the night. It seemed lines in the immediate opening were really long everywhere. Opening line at Refreshment Port However, that was the opening rush. I left the line and explored some of the entertainment options for around 20 minutes, and when I returned, I practically walked right up. I didn’t have a problem with major lines for the rest of the night. Line about 20 minutes later The souvenir glow cup was filled with a surprise: a White Cranberry Cosmo, which I thought was delicious (I like fruity, sweet drinks). The cup is plain (no Food and Wine logo or anything), but walking around and seeing the glowing cups was a fun, bright touch. White Cranberry Cosmo in glow cup We’ll be adding up value more at the end of this post, but for those interested, there were a few small bars inside World Showplace selling the signature beverage in case you wanted another, and the prices were $8.75 for just the Cosmo, $4.25 for the glow cup, and $13.00 for the drink served in the glow cup. As for my food choices, I enjoyed some of my favorites: Cheddar Cheese Soup and the Beef Filet from Canada, Warm Chocolate Pudding and a Chilled Irish Coffee from Ireland, and a Kalua Pork Slider from Hawaii. Cheddar Cheese Soup… at night ;)! Out of pocket, these items would have cost $25.75. Clearly, this is the place to maximize your value. As it so happens, some of my favorite items are on the less-expensive side (the Pudding, Slider, and Cheddar Cheese Soup range from $3.50 to $4.25), while my most expensive items were the Irish Coffee ($7.00) and Beef Filet ($7.25). How you choose to maximize your entitlements is up to you. Chilled Irish Coffee For those who enjoy the beautiful and unique atmosphere that is Epcot at night, it’s always a treat to spend more time there. I do feel like this event is finding its legs in some respects: there wasn’t really an official start, per se, so the beginning felt a little disjointed to me. There was a “where-do-I-go-now” vibe for the first bit, which likely contributed to the huge lines at first. Dancing in the street was encouraged, but there wasn’t much participation — however, that’s not a “fault” of the event, just part of the general vibe that I wanted to share for those looking for a certain atmosphere (though a few people did dance and appeared to be having a great time! As Men Without Hats always said, “You can dance if you want to!”). Still, the opening is an easy fix, if they so choose, and the crowded lines seemed to fix themselves fairly early on. I think fans of live music will be pleased — while the options aren’t numerous, they’re high quality.  Since we’re clearly very food-focused here at DFB, I hadn’t accounted for the difference that would make in my experience, but it really did. Good night, EPCOT Math and Value BreakdownJust writing the word “math” gives me mild anxiety, but I’ll try to crunch a few numbers so you can measure if the Premium Package or the Late Nights Live! Party is a good value for you. (I’m including in the text where estimates have been made.) The price for entrance to the Late Nights Live! party is $79.00 (tax not included). Included are 6 food items, and the value will vary based on what you choose. The items I chose would have cost $25.75, and the cost of the Cosmo in the souvenir cup brings the total to $38.75, leaving a remaining $40.25 for entertainment and the chance to stay at Epcot until 1AM. If you use each of your entitlements for items ranging around $7, there’s potential to bring your food/drink value to $48 (including the Cosmo). The price of the Premium Package is $199.00 (per guest, tax not included) and includes in-room amenities starting with the Chianti, which retails for $16.95 in the Italy Pavilion, and a Festival wine glass, which I’m estimating at $10.00 based on a comparable item sold at Festival merchandise shops. (I don’t have a value for the truffles.) Themed graphic MagicBands are relatively new and prices vary, but the recent Haunted Mansion graphic MagicBand retails at $24.95, so that’s a price example (the Food & Wine specialty band isn’t available for individual purchase). The $50 gift card is worth… well, you know . Also included is the $79.00 entry cost to the Late Nights Live party (breakdown above). That brings the estimate to $180.90, leaving a remaining $18.10 for access to the Premium Areas. Whew! Still with me ? OverallClearly, either of these options is a definite vacation splurge: they aren’t cheap, and it’s up to each interested guest to determine if they find value in the inclusions. In the Premium Package areas, I was joined in the space a few times by couples celebrating their anniversary and honeymoon; I thought it could be a really special touch to add on the occasion, and hope that was the case for them (though I want to stress again, the price of the package is per guest, not per vacation reservation, so that’s something to consider). From my perspective as a solo guest, I can say it enhanced my experience. I attended the first Late Nights Live party, and I enjoyed it. I spoke with a few Cast Members (I’m guessing managers), who were at the event and spoke about how they were observing things to see what could be improved upon to make it bigger and better, and we’ll be curious to hear about any experiences as the Festival continues. Here’s hoping everyone is having a great time at the Festival so far this year! Six weeks left… hope to see you there! Have you participated in the Food and Wine Festival Premium Package or Late Nights Live! Party? We’d love to hear about your experience 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: News! TWO Brand New Events added to the Epcot Food & Wine Festival!Guest Review: Italy Dessert & Wine Event at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Special Event Updates View the full article

Earlier this week, we shared a special reading from “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas” from the film’s composer, Danny Elfman, in front of Haunted Mansion Holiday at Disneyland park. While he was here, we caught up with the Elfman, the man who provided the singing voice for Jack Skellington himself! We were amazed to learn that this was Elfman’s first time experiencing this holiday overlay. In the video below, he describes what it was like to hear his music blended with his favorite Disneyland attraction. Danny Elfman Visits Haunted Mansion Holiday at Disneyland Park by Erin Glover: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

Danny Elfman Visits Haunted Mansion Holiday at Disneyland Park Earlier this week, we shared a special reading from “Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas” from the film's composer, Danny Elfman, in front of Haunted Mansion Holiday at Disneyland...From:Disney ParksViews:9387277ratingsTime:01:17More inTravel & Events View the full article

This story has it all: runDisney magic, tears, joy and celebration. If you participated in the 2014 Disney Princess Half Marathon presented by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals or follow my runDisney blog posts on a regular basis, this story will be familiar. It is a follow-up to an emotional magical moment that played out at the start of the race in February, but with a new twist at the Disneyland Half Marathon presented by Cigna. Kim Myers of Seattle, WA, traveled to Walt Disney World Resort to run the Princess Half Marathon for a couple reasons. First, she was part of a larger group running on behalf of “Wear Blue: Run to Remember,” a running organization that participates in races around the world to celebrate the sacrifice of US military and their families. Second, she was celebrating her birthday and ran to take her mind off the fact that her husband, CW2 Travis Myers, couldn’t be with her. He was serving our country in Afghanistan with the Army’s 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Forces group. Thanks to a thoughtful husband, technology and a little Disney Magic, we were able to surprise Kim with a special birthday message from Travis who was half a world away. At that time Kim said if everything went according to plan Travis would be home in time to run the Disneyland Half Marathon with her and they not only would celebrate his return but ironically his birthday. Well, I am happy to tell you that everything did go according to plan. Travis returned home safely to his family from his final tour of duty. And as promised he took Kim’s hand and together they ran the Disneyland Half Marathon at Disneyland Resort earlier this month. When I recently visited Kim and Travis in Seattle, Kim told me, “I run as a way to find my own identity as a very busy person, mom, wife, fulltime job …. and a very positive way to deal with a lot of stress.” Now, with Travis safely home, the loneliness of running alone is replaced by running with her partner in life. “The Disneyland Half Marathon is our celebration run,” Kim said. “We’re getting out there to celebrate where we’ve come from as well as how far we have left to go, both as individuals and also together as a couple.” I hope you will take a moment to watch Kim and Travis’ journey to the Disneyland Half Marathon. It is truly a story of love and celebration. runDisney salutes and thanks all of our service men and women and their families around the world for keeping our country safe. #WhyIrunDisney is dedicated to sharing compelling and motivational human-interest stories. To view submissions and to learn how to upload your story, visit irundisney.com. Celebrating A Soldier’s Safe Return at the Disneyland Half Marathon presented by Cigna by Robert Hitchcock: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year! No, we aren’t jumping on the bandwagon to usher in the Winter Holidays two months early. We’re talkin’ Fall at Disney! And whether you’re celebrating the change of seasons in Disneyland or Walt Disney World, this time of year is something special. With must-do seasonal events and lots of special eats and drinks, we don’t think you should miss a single thing! But there’s the rub. Because there’s so much to cover, it’s tough to bring you all the news on the Blog. That’s why we send out the DFB Newsletter twice a month. Right now, there’s so much happening. You have new snacks, like the Pumpkin Spice Macaron Ice Cream Sandwich at L’Artisan des Glaces in Epcot’s France Pavilion. Artisan des Glaces Pumpkin Spice Macaron Sandwich Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom includes tons of exclusive favorites — plus all that candy! At Disneyland, we see the return of classics, like the Pumpkin Muffin and Halloween Time! And of course…we are right in the middle of THE premier food event of the year — the 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival! Welcome to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival! And with the holiday season right around the corner, there’s SO much to cover. Don’t miss a single thing! Chock full of color photographs and exclusive content, it’s like your own private portal into everything Disney food related. We’ll also keep you updated with important breaking news, like free dining or big event announcements, in special mailings! There’s no better time than today — sign up now and you’ll receive an email welcoming you to our little club. Your regular subscription will begin mid-month (or sooner if something BIG happens!). Thanks for your support of DFB! 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: Keep Up to Date — Subscribe to the Disney Food Blog Newsletter Today!Don’t Miss Out! Subscribe to the Disney Food Blog Newsletter!Know Before You Go! Sign Up for the Disney Food Blog Newsletter! View the full article

If you like new experiences at the Disney Parks, read on. As most of you know I’m part of the creative team for Disney Floral & Gifts that creates new gifting experiences. We meet twice a week and talk about how we can help you live out your favorite stories for holidays and special occasions (yes it’s a tough job). In this case, back in February we started a “re-design” of our Halloween tricks and treats…beginning with a discussion about what you said you liked and didn’t like from 2013. Our creative sessions are exactly what you might imagine. Then one day, the creativity is finished and I get the chance to share the inside scoop. So today, we announce (cue scary music) … the new … Mickey’s Spooktacular Celebration at the Walt Disney World Resort. This year we enhanced what you said you loved the most; the ambiance, glow, décor and personalization! We also kept some current surprises you loved and added in new elements you’ve requested. What’s included? Imagine walking up to your Resort room to see a creepy banner hanging from your door featuring a Mickey shaped pumpkin with light up eyes looking right at you. You crack open the door and peak around the corner to see surprises scattered around the room! As you search you find a special note from Mickey, an exclusive luminous bin stacked to the top with goodies, Halloween blanket… …exclusive Mickey pillow cases, shadow puppets to create your own spooky stories, a light up candelabra covered in creepy spider webs, glowing eyes (check out the mirror in the back of this image, on the right), as well as tricks and games. Curious to learn what’s “brewing” at the Disneyland Resort? If you’re a villain at heart, check out what our Disneyland Resort Floral and Gifts creative team developed, A Disney Villainous Celebration. Apparently they believe Halloween is their holiday so they are taking over your resort room to make it their own! Let’s just say they wanted to add a little trouble to Mickey’s surprise. Here you’ll see light up candelabras with gargoyles, a luxurious black villain blanket, villain treats, exclusive villain pins and lanyard. Take a look at the silver villain picture frame in the center of the picture too. Do you see the Evil Queen at the top? There’s also a really clever Villain Monopoly game… Not able to visit us this fall? Then check out this exclusive surprise we created for your little one through our Ship to Home option. The story is that Minnie or Mickey sent this surprise so they could tag along with your little one for trick or treat. The bag alone is a keeper. And yes, the eyes do light up! There are Disney treats, a light up Mickey lanyard, an adorable note and autographed picture and more. For details, check out the Not-So-Scary Halloween Treat Bags! There’s so much more to share so you’ll want to stay tuned. But if your curiosity gets the best of you, check out our website through the links above or call a Disney Floral & Gifts Dream Maker at 407-WDW-GIFT for Walt Disney World Resort and 714-781-GIFT for Disneyland Resort. Disneyfloralandgifts.com New Halloween Celebrations at Disney Parks by Jean Volante: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

Elsa, Ana, Olaf, Kristoff and the rest of the 'Frozen' gang are reaching the end of their summer. Don't miss your last chance to experience Frozen Summer Fun at Disney's Hollywood Studios....From:Disney ParksViews:9420152ratingsTime:00:52More inTravel & Events

CORRECTION: Thanksgiving reservations will be taken beginning Sunday, Sept. 28, and reservations for Disneyland Hotel dinner available beginning October 8. We apologize for any inconvenience. Turkey, turkey and more turkey! For just one day – Thursday, Nov. 27 – restaurants at the Disneyland Resort are showcasing the big bird along with other seasonal sides, from cranberry relish to pumpkin pie and maple bacon funnel cake. Do we dare forego cooking and just head to Disneyland Resort? Thinking so. Let’s start on Main Street, U.S.A., at Disneyland park, with Carnation Café’s slow-roasted turkey with turkey Bourbon gravy, mashed sweet potatoes, apple-cranberry stuffing, cranberry-orange relish, veggies and a classic dinner roll. Of course there’s pumpkin pie. Keeping with traditions, Plaza Inn is cooking slow-roasted turkey with gravy and sage dressing, mashed potatoes, veggies and a roll. Blue Bayou Restaurant kicks it up with turkey roulade, truffle-infused chicken giblet stuffing, roasted garlic Boursin mashed potatoes and veggies. French Market Restaurant is doing Andouille sausage stuffing with the turkey, and River Belle Terrace adds cornbread and roasted garlic-thyme mashed potatoes to their turkey breast with stuffing. For something a little different, Café Orleans is making crepes with turkey, butternut squash, cipollini onions and peas with giblet stuffing, cranberry coulis and orange oil. And for just a quick bite, there’s turkey tortilla soup at Harbour Galley, holiday tamales at Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante. For a sweet tooth, try the maple bacon funnel cake at Stage Door Café, and there’s plenty of pumpkin pie (at Carnation Café, Village Haus Restaurant, River Belle Terrace and Café Orleans). Heading over to Disney California Adventure park, Ariel’s Grotto is going traditional with slow-roasted turkey breast and gravy, apple stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and veggies. Flo’s V-8 Café is cooking herb-roasted turkey with mashed potatoes and stuffing, veggies and cranberry relish. And Wine Country Trattoria adds Italian flair with focaccia stuffing with herb-roasted turkey and garlic mashed potatoes, served with haricot vert and orange-cranberry relish. Take home a loaf of turkey-shaped bread from Boudin Bakery, available at Pacific Wharf Café, Mortimer’s Market and Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta. Or eat dessert first with pumpkin pie at Wine Country Trattoria, Flo’s V-8 Café and Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta. Heading to the Disneyland Resort hotels, Steakhouse 55 at the Disneyland Hotel is offering a three-course menu with starters such a butternut squash soup, crispy shredded skirt steak and maple clabbered cream; the entrée is roasted turkey Wellington with pecan stuffing, cranberry relish, Swiss chard and wild mushroom gravy, and dessert is a choice of sweet potato pot de crème, cinnamon gelato, marshmallow meringue and apple crisp. Also at Disneyland Hotel, Goofy’s Kitchen adds holiday tastes to the brunch and dinner buffet: turkey, orange-cranberry sauce, Yukon Gold mashed potatoes, vanilla-scented roasted sweet potatoes with brown sugar and marshmallows, herb stuffing, butternut squash soup, pumpkin pie and cranberry cobbler. At Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Chef Andrew Sutton offers his fabulous four-course Country Wine Feast for the holiday at Napa Rose. Next door at Storyteller’s Café, the loaded buffet adds turkey, gravy and cranberry sauce, beef with Cognac au jus and creamed horseradish, brioche bread stuffing with sweet Italian sausage, roasted golden beets with Feta and holiday sweets, including lots of pies. Another generous buffet is at Disney’s PCH Grill at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, featuring Thanksgiving tastes such as turkey, gravy and stuffing, cranberry relish and roasted veggies, along with salads soups, beef, salmon and more. Of course, you can head directly to the Disneyland Hotel ballroom for the annual fall Thanksgiving dinner – a bounty of turkey, prime rib, stuffing, sweet potato soufflé, cranberry-orange relish, poached shrimp, king crab legs and all the trimmings. Pumpkin and pecan pies, tarts, cookies, freshly made crepes and a chocolate fountain are the sweetest ending for a day of thanks. For reservations, call 714-781-DINE. Seasonal Delights for Thanksgiving at Disneyland Resort by Pam Brandon: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

As it gets closer to Halloween, we keep scaring up more and more treats at Walt Disney World Resort. Recently, I shared the ghoulish delights you can find at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, so now let’s take a look at some of the frightfully fantastic treats you can find at our other Walt Disney World theme parks. Kusafiri Bakery and Isle of Java in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park are serving up creepy concoctions. I couldn’t resist this adorable demitasse mug, which combines some of my favorite things—Minnie Mouse, pumpkins and chocolate mousse. If you’re in the mood for something more substantial, the chocolate brownie with spooky sprinkles is to die for, while a sweet pumpkin muffin is a perfect way to start a fall morning. I adore gummy candies, so I was especially excited about the Spooky Worms ‘n Dirt Sundae from Discovery Island Ice Cream. A scoop of your favorite flavor gets topped with crushed chocolate cookies, gummy worms, whipped cream and spooky sprinkles. You’ll also find the frightful Bat Cupcake—chocolate cake topped with white icing, sprinkles and a chocolate bat. If cupcakes are your favorite, you’re not going to want to miss the bewitching offerings at Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Sunshine Seasons at Epcot is brewing up a chocolate Witch Cupcake with a peanut butter filling. If you’re craving carrot cake, head to Disney’s Hollywood Studios for their tasty take on this cupcake. Which witch will you choose? GalleryWildly Spooky Treats at Walt Disney World Resort view allWildly Spooky Treats at Walt Disney World Resort by Rachel Brent: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

In recent months, we have shared #DisneyKids videos in which our resident kid-at-heart Gary Buchanan interviews preschoolers about their experiences at Walt Disney World Resort. What we learned from these fun, unscripted conversations with little ones is that even at a young age they remember a great deal about their favorite Disney attractions, characters and experiences. For as much as our mini panel liked to talk about Disney, they are still kids, and let’s just say there were times when they got a little restless. There were so many silly moments from our shoot that we created an outtakes video that we hope makes you smile. What are your little ones’ goofiest Disney moments? For more from our #DisneyKids series, visit the posts below: #DisneyKids: First Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park#DisneyKids: First runDisney Race#DisneyKids: First Photo at Magic Kingdom Park#DisneyKids: Remembering Favorite Attractions at Disney Parks#DisneyKids: First Flight on Dumbo the Flying Elephant#DisneyKids: Remembering Favorite Disney Characters at Disney Parks#DisneyKids: First Pony Ride at Walt Disney World Resort#DisneyKids: First Water Slide at Walt Disney World Resort#DisneyKids: First Teacup Spin at Magic Kingdom Park#DisneyKids: First Ear Hat at Disney Parks#DisneyKids: Funniest Disney Parks Roundtable Outtakes by Jamie Langdon: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

Our #DisneyKids videos feature our resident kid-at-heart Gary Buchanan interviewing preschoolers about their experiences at Walt Disney World Resort. These outtakes features some of the hilarious...From:Disney ParksViews:594867ratingsTime:03:47More inTravel & Events

The search continues today for the teenage gunman who robbed four Westridge Middle School students walking to school Thursday morning. View the full article

The Sports Xchange View the full article

Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory — it’s a long name for dining spot, and kind of a tongue twister — but it has some unique menu items and is definitely worth a visit if you’re a beignet fan! Learn About: Sassagoula Floatworks and Food FactoryDisney World RestaurantsOr a New Orleans fan. Or a Mardi Gras fan. Or just like big, giant parade float heads hanging from ceilings. Not sure what I’m talking about? Let’s take a look inside… . AtmosphereSassagoula is, of course, the river running through the resorts around Downtown Disney, including the sister Port Orleans resorts — Riverside, and French Quarter. Upon arrival at the Port Orleans French Quarter resort, a welcoming indoor courtyard complete with an ornate fountain creates a relaxing atmosphere. If you’re hungry, you’ll find Floatworks — named as such because it’s themed after a warehouse storing Mardi Gras parade props —  opposite the Registration area. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks are offered throughout the day. Entrance to Float Works Look closely and you’ll see some hidden dining references in the Sassagoula sign. Utensils, seafood, lemon, asparagus… what else? Look for hidden food references A display reminds guests of their dining choices while visiting the Port Orleans resorts. Dining Choices at the Port Orleans Resorts Here’s your first glimpse of the “floatworks.” Crazy, eh? It’s Mardi Gras time! While the weird parade props have always disturbed me, some guests enjoy the whimsical decor. I understand the theme but find the decor outdated. (I’d love to see a refresh here). Of course, you’ll find whimsy around the resort — from Scales (the serpent pool slide) to jazzy tunes, the vibe is casual and relaxing. Just as it should be on vacation! I spy a yellow piece of candy! Entertain the kids with a game of “I Spy” while dining! A great snack option is ice cream! I do like the dining room’s dark wooden tables and mismatched chairs; it just feels cozy. Brick accents and lantern lighting adds to the quaint ambiance. In fact, the whole resort is a mixture of playfulness and charm. Mardi Gras props in dining room Most importantly, the dining area and serving stations are kept very tidy. (During our stay, we did not find this to be the case over at the Riverside Mill.) Artwork reflects the Cajun and Creole flavors on the menu such as the Gumbo and Jambalaya dishes served later in the day. Louisiana is known for spicy Cajun and Creole dishes Take your breakfast to the adjacent Scat Cat’s Club for a quieter meal. Additional seating at Scat Cat’s Inside the club, your morning meal can be savored with a dose of cartoons! Cartoons EatsGuests on the Disney Dining Plan can use their quick service credits to redeem meals at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Use your Disney Dining Plan credits Snack options are also available! Got a Rapid Fill mug? Head to the beverage island for hot and cold drinks! Hot and cold beverages At the Rapid Fill station, fill up on water, Sprite Zero, Barq’s Root Beer, Fanta Orange, Coca-Cola Zero, Minute Maid Light Pomegranate Lemonade, Coca-Cola Cherry, Sprite, Powerade Mountain Berry Blast, Hi-C Fruit Punch, Diet Coke, and Coca-Cola. Cold beverages at the Rapid Fill station Breakfast Breakfast here at Sassagoula often includes their “you-can-only-get-’em-here” made-to-order beignets. Many Disney guests visit this spot solely for these doughy treats. Port Orleans French Quarter Beignets But we’d had beignets the previous day, so my husband opted for the Bounty Breakfast Platter served with scrambled eggs, a Mickey waffle, bacon, sausage, and a biscuit. For a quick service meal, he deemed all of the elements to be worthy of a thumbs up. A bountiful start to the day I love breakfast foods. My choice here was easy though, as I always enjoy the cheese omelet and breakfast potatoes served at many of the Disney value and moderate resorts. Seasoned breakfast potatoes Here, the fluffy texture of the omelet and the smooth, melted cheese were done just right. Fluffy cheese omelet Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches On a separate visit, I just had to snack on an ice cream sandwich. With your choice of homemade cookies and ice cream, these dessert sandwiches are over the top! I went with the old-fashioned chocolate chip cookie and vanilla ice cream combo. Yum! Chocolate Chip cookies with vanilla ice cream I like my cookie with less crunch, and a chewier cookie would have made this combination perfect. Ice cream nestled between two homemade cookies OverallOverall, I really enjoyed being able to take our breakfast to Scat Cat’s. It made for a much quieter start to the day. While some of the food items here can be found elsewhere in Walt Disney World, guests with more adventurous palates will appreciate the themed food options including Po’ Boys, Jambalaya, and Gumbo. What do you think about the decor at Sassagoula? Any recommendations beyond the must-have beignets? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com!Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on TwitterBecome a Facebook Fan Related posts: Guest Review: Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory BreakfastSnack Series: Beignets at Port Orleans Resort, French QuarterReview: Cherry Cobbler at Port Orleans, Riverside Resort View the full article

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The city of Apopka on Wednesday paid former Chief Administrative Officer Richard Anderson $346,665 in unused vacation time, personal days and sick leave as part of his retirement package. View the full article

This week’s Disney Parks After Dark image was snapped by Photographer Charlie Champagne – and what an ominous shot of City Hall at Magic Kingdom Park it is! GalleryDisney Parks After Dark view allTaken during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, this pic perfectly shows how haunting the park can look on Halloween nights. Disney Parks After Dark: A Spooky City Hall at Magic Kingdom Park by Jennifer Fickley-Baker: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

Mayor Jim Swan calls special meeting for noon Friday to discuss city commissioners' vehicle use. Mayor Jim Swan calls special meeting for noon Friday to discuss city commissioners' vehicle use. View the full article

Rosemary Pate and Alice Flowers were more than sisters — they were friends. View the full article