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'The View' - Behind the Scenes at Walt Disney World Resort View the full article

Last year, the Force took to the high seas with the inaugural Star Wars Day at Sea. This special day-long celebration of the legendary saga returned to the high seas in January and continues to delight guests with select sailings through April. From an enhanced deck party to “Star Wars Rebels” joining the alliance, the Force is stronger than ever onboard the Disney Fantasy in 2017 with the newest additions to the epic day at sea. Expanded Nighttime Spectacular: The spectacular deck show, “Summon the Force,” celebrates the 40 Force-filled years of Star Wars featuring new iconic characters: Kylo Ren, Ezra and Sabine! The deck show is bursting with John Williams’ epic score, now including music from “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.” “Star Wars Rebels” Appearances: “Star Wars Rebels” Sabine and Ezra along with Ahsoka Tano have taken a break from forming their alliance to visit you in an all-new base location. You can find out what the rebellion is up to with showings of “Star Wars Rebels” season three on the upper deck’s Funnel Vision. Then the duel continues with the deadly Jedi hunter, the Seventh Sister joining the Dark Lord himself in “Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple.” Special Guest Speakers: Get a behind-the-scenes look at the Star Wars saga with a special lineup of guest speakers sharing what it’s like to bring the galaxy to life on screen. This year’s speakers include: Hannah Gills, producer for Industrial Light & Magic; Pablo Hidalgo, creative executive for Lucasfilm Story Group and Jason McGatlin, executive producer for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” and “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” among others, on select sailings. Out-of-this-galaxy Merchandise: Exclusive to Star Wars Day at Sea 2017 sailings is an assortment of intergalactic merchandise including drink ware, pins, apparel and more. Stellar Screenings: Experience the first of Star Wars standalone films and the latest installment in the Star Wars universe: “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” at sea. So get ready to witness the Force first-hand because “this will be a day long remembered.” And don’t forget, as recently announced, Disney Cruise Line will once again take you to a galaxy far, far away in 2018. If you’ve joined us or plan on embarking on this epic day at sea, share your photos on Instagram and Twitter with #StarWarsDayAtSea. View the full article

Your California Bucket List: Essential adventures and experiences in the Golden State March 3, 2017, 6 a.m. (Al Seib, Brian van der Brug, Rick Loomis, Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Here's our growing guide to essential California adventures, easy to edgy. We'll be adding to it daily all... View the full article

The swashbuckling pirates are back in the new trailer for "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales." Javier Bardem's Capitan Armando Salazar leads an army of the dead as they exact revenge on the drunken Jack Sparrow, who's seen pantless and ship-less in the new footage. The trailer reveals... View the full article

Disney dominated the box office last year thanks to several big franchises among its 13 releases. In fact, Disney has been the most profitable studio for the last three years, with the other majors well behind, particularly over the past two years. But the studio has just eight movies on its 2017... View the full article

Animal Kingdom is alive with activity lately, and the hits just keep on coming! Learn About: Trilo-Bites Animal Kingdom Disney World Restaurants Last year we were celebrating the grand opening of Tiffins and Nomad Lounge (hello, deliciousness amidst some of the most pristine decor we’ve ever seen!), and still 2017 is shaping up to be even more incredible. We’ve got Pandora — The World of AVATAR, people! In just about three months! And with this new area of the park comes two new restaurants: Pongu Pongu and Satu’li Canteen. And Rivers of Light! With dining packages! And seats (well, a helpful video about scoring seats)! But we’re always on the lookout for new dishes at our old favorites, so on a recent visit, we stopped at Trilo-Bites. Trilo-Bites at Animal Kingdom You know Trilo-Bites as a seasonal (e.g. hardly ever open) counter service stop in Dinoland, land of the giant cartoon dinos and carnival-style games. Trilo-Bites’ previous menu goodie was the Pulled Buffalo Chicken Waffle Sandwich, which was truly awesome. This time, we discovered another Buffalo chicken incarnation: Buffalo Chicken Chips. Trilo-Bites Menu So…let’s see. We love Buffalo chicken. We really love Disney house-made chips. So putting them all together sounds just about perfect! Trilo-Bites Buffalo Chicken Chips Anyone who’s had these chips knows that the portions are healthy. Not heart healthy, mind you. Taste-bud healthy (which happens to be our favorite kind). They are seasoned, so they have a nice flavor unto themselves. Not that you’ll necessarily notice it once you see what else is on here. Trilo-Bites Seasoned House-Made Chip With tasty toppings, this plate of chips approaches full-meal size status! Trilo-Bites Buffalo Chicken Keeping the seasoned house-made chips company are pulled Buffalo chicken, arugula, crunchy diced celery, diced tomatoes, and both crumbled bleu cheese and bleu cheese dressing. Trilo-Bites Close-Up That’s a lot of yum on one plate, y’all. And it all works! The arugula and tomatoes are a fresh foil to the hefty chips. Plus the celery is Buffalo chicken’s culinary BFF, so that’s a no-brainer. What we especially loved, though, was two versions of bleu cheese. Trilo-Bites Close-Up The crumbles are super creamy and super potent. You’ll definitely notice them dancing circles around the other ingredients. The dressing is generously drizzled — and manages to stretch that bleu cheese flavor to every bite of the chips. Trilo-Bites Buffalo Chicken Chips At $7.99, we think these are a decent value — especially if they act as a meal or if you share them. As excited as we are about these babies, we are a little bummed to report that the Buffalo Chicken Waffle Slider and the Waffle Sundae are off the menu. Still, we prefer the chips to the slider, so it’s a win if you ask us. And in case you need something cool to accompany the Buffalo Chicken Chips, you can now snag a Chocolate, Vanilla, or Strawberry Milkshake here. Do you seek out seasonal treats in the Parks? Let us know in the comments! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: Review: Pulled Buffalo Chicken Waffle Sandwich at Animal Kingdom’s Trilo-Bites Updated Animal Kingdom Counter Service Options — Including the Reopened Flame Tree Barbecue! News: No More Jumbo Turkey Legs at Disney’s Animal Kingdom View the full article

Many of you know we’re just days away from celebrating 25 years of magic at Disneyland Paris. It’s a significant milestone that began with an agreement between The Walt Disney Company and French authorities – 30 years ago last week. To mark the signing of the “Main Agreement” in 1987 that led to creation of Euro Disneyland and then Disneyland Paris, French President François Hollande paid a special visit to the Resort and spent time with cast members who bring the magic to life for guests every day. Hollande also spoke about the enormous role Disneyland Paris has played in contributing to the French economy. Disneyland Paris is the leading tourist destination in Europe with nearly 14 million visitors each year, according to a study released Friday. Over the past 25 years, Disneyland Paris has welcomed more than 320 million visitors, created €68 billion in added value for the French economy, and generated an average of 56,000 jobs each year. The resort is also the largest single-site employer in France with 15,000 cast members in more than 500 roles, representing 100 nationalities and speaking 20 different languages. We’re proud to celebrate 30 years and even more excited as we approach the 25th anniversary celebration of Disneyland Paris starting March 26. Keep an eye out for more updates right here on the Disney Parks Blog. View the full article

As many of you know – especially those of you who live in the Orange County area – the Disneyland Resort has many programs that support local youth and education. One of the best examples is the Disneyland Resort Dreamers & Doers, which this year recognized nearly 100 high school students throughout Orange County who took action to make a difference in their communities. Each received a certificate of recognition and park tickets to the Disneyland Resort. On February 25, a third of those students were honored as “Shining Stars” and invited to attend an educational symposium focusing on leadership development and collaborative problem solving, followed by a celebratory luncheon. Each received grants of $1,000 for their high schools and medals of recognition. Five were also named top “Luminaries” for going above and beyond in making positive change, earning a weekend prize package to visit the Disneyland Resort with their families and the opportunity to present a $3,000 donation to an Orange County nonprofit of their choice. Congratulations to the following Luminaries and all of this year’s Disneyland Resort Dreamers & Doers! Alisa Ogranovich from Aliso Niguel High School in Aliso Viejo for starting a Second Harvest Food Bank chapter at her high school and holding “mobile pantries,” which bring food to underprivileged communities and families. Anna Lou from Oxford Academy in Cypress for bringing computer coding classes to more than 1,200 students and inspiring more girls to get involved in computer science. Austin Hwang from Marina High School in Huntington Beach for starting a student club that focuses on water conservation and education, helping to fund well-building projects in Uganda and India. Dalton Bourne from San Juan Hills High School in San Juan Capistrano for fundraising to create pouches that read “On the Road, Off the Phone,” for all teen drivers at his high school to keep them from texting while driving. Sydney Fredette from Santa Margarita Catholic High School in Rancho Santa Margarita for starting her own “Be the Change” club which has donated approximately $60,000 worth of goods to underprivileged kids living in motels. View the full article

Miss Adventure Falls, a family raft ride at Walt Disney World’s Typhoon Lagoon, will open March 12. Disney announced the opening date today. The ride will feature four-person rafts that twist and turn. It will operate near the Crush 'n' Gusher. It will have a ride time of two minutes and be one... View the full article

What’s better than a freshly-picked orange? How about an orange that puts the convenience of a Disney Gift Card right on your wrist? Celebrate the 2017 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival with a limited-edition, orange-scented Disney Gift Card! These oranges not only smell delicious; they also have all the functionality of a regular Disney Gift Card, with the added convenience of wearing it around your wrist. So, immerse yourself in the wonders of the festival and pay with ease at any of the festival’s Outdoor Kitchens. Activate your Disney Gift Card with as little as $15 and conveniently pay for food and more. Your Disney Gift Card can also be reloaded at Disney merchandise locations and many of the outdoor kitchens. When the festival is over, you can continue using your card for practically all things Disney – theme park tickets, hotel stays, entertainment, merchandise, dining, and more at Walt Disney World Resort and beyond! The festival-themed Disney Gift Card is currently available throughout Epcot as well as at surrounding Walt Disney World Resort hotels including Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Disney’s Beach Club Resort and Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels while supplies last. View the full article

To get ready for their trip to Walt Disney World Resort, ”The View” co-hosts Sara Haines, Jedediah Bila and Sunny Hostin recently visited the Parks for a little bit of work and a lot of fun. (Check out this exclusive behind the scenes video below.) On Monday, March 6, all of “The View” co-hosts are coming to Walt Disney World Resort to broadcast the show from Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park. The week is full of exciting celebrity guests, an exclusive behind the scenes look at Pandora – The World of Avatar, and classic Walt Disney World Resort magic. Scheduled guests for the week of March 6 – March 10 are as follows (subject to change): Monday, March 6– John Stamos; a performance by Andy Grammer. Tuesday, March 7– Ariel Winter (ABC’s “Modern Family”; Disney’s “Sofia the First”); Sherri Shepherd. Wednesday, March 8–Eric Stonestreet (ABC’s “Modern Family); Audra McDonald (Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast”). Thursday, March 9– Mandy Moore (Disney Channel’s “Tangled: Before Ever After”; “This is Us”); James Cameron and Whoopi explore Pandora – The World of Avatar. Friday, March 10– Tom Bergeron (ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars”); a performance by Train; and Celebrity Chefs Masaharu Morimoto and Art Smith. Tune in all week to “The View” on ABC (11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. EST) for all the fun! View the full article

Last summer, we shared the exciting news that Miss Adventure Falls, a new family-style raft attraction, is coming to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park this spring. Well, construction is almost complete and I’m happy to announce that the attraction will open March 12! As the final touches to Miss Adventure Falls are being added during the next few weeks, we will give you an exclusive first look at some of the unique artifacts collected by Captain Mary Oceaneer – a sea-faring treasure hunter whose haul was caught in a rogue typhoon. Here’s a sneak peek at Captain Mary Oceaneer’s dive bell, just one of the many items from her journeys around the world. It’s one of the precious treasures you will spot from your four-person raft, as you twist and turn on this fun-filled white-water experience. We’ll be sharing more details about this thrilling water adventure as we count down to the opening date on March 12, so keep checking the Disney Parks Blog for more updates! View the full article

Rhine River Cruise – Beauty & The Beast | Adventures by Disney View the full article

Disney is kicking the kids off the boat. Well at least on three sailings as part of its 2018 river cruising plans. The river cruises that are run by the company’s Adventures by Disney outfit aboard ships designed by AmaWaterways sail on both the Danube and Rhine rivers. Two Rhine River trips and... View the full article

While traveling to perform a concert in Tampa, Josh Dun of the band Twenty One Pilots, took a detour at Walt Disney World Resort for some Disney fun. He took a ride aboard Astro Orbiter in Tomorrowland to really take in the view of Magic Kingdom Park. Don’t miss the rest of the Twenty One Pilots tour and get to a show before the tour wraps up in June! Thanks to our fearless photographer, Chloe Rice. View the full article

Exciting news today: Sales for Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, the newest Disney Vacation Club resort, will begin next week. Current Disney Vacation Club Members will have the first chance to purchase real estate interests beginning on March 8, with general sales following on April 5. The resort, which is currently under construction, also has a scheduled opening date: July 17. Once open, Copper Creek Villas & Cabins will be the 14th Disney Vacation Club development and the second at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Copper Creek Villas & Cabins offers Disney Vacation Club Members and guests a new frontier for magical vacations where the comforts of home and the wonders of the wilderness are deeply rooted in the magic of Disney. Inspired by the legendary mining and railroad history of the Pacific Northwest, Members and guests will discover rustically elegant accommodations, where cozy touches mix with modern designs to create a tranquil retreat. Offering one of the widest ranges of accommodations found at Walt Disney World Resort, Copper Creek Villas & Cabins will feature 184 modern, nature-inspired vacation homes, including Deluxe Studios, one- and two-bedroom Villas, and even three-bedroom Grand Villas, which sleep up to 12. Artist Rendering – Proposed The new resort will also include 26 all-new luxurious waterfront cabins. Sleeping up to eight and featuring two bedrooms, two baths and large dining and living room spaces, the cabins’ floor-to-ceiling windows, exposed wooden beams and interior-exterior stone-hearth fireplace bring the beauty of the outdoors in, and offer plenty of room for families. After a long day of fun at the nearby theme parks, guests can return to their porch and relax in the built-in hot tub. Some even enjoy a view of the Electrical Water Pageant on Bay Lake! Additional developments at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge include the recently opened Geyser Point Bar & Grill, an open-air lounge overlooking Bay Lake. The resort’s quick-service restaurant, Roaring Fork is also undergoing refurbishments and is scheduled to reopen later this year with a refreshed look and expanded outdoor seating. Boulder Ridge Cove pool, a modern-day swimmin’ hole, will also open this summer. Those in search of extra pampering will want to stop by the all-new Salon by the Springs for poolside manicures, pedicures and hair services scheduled to open this summer. I’ll be sharing even more exciting details about this beautiful resort right here on the Disney Parks Blog in the months to come. Until then, visit DisneyCopperCreek.com to explore this latest offering from Disney Vacation Club. This promotional material is a timeshare solicitation and is not an offer in any jurisdiction where the timeshare is not registered. View the full article

When artist Ashley Taylor imagined what Tiana and Lottie, gal pals from “The Princess and the Frog” would do first if they had the chance to visit Walt Disney World Resort, food was on her mind! Since Mardi Gras took place earlier this week, it’s only natural that these two New Orleans besties would head to Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory at Disney’s Port Orleans – French Quarter to enjoy delicious beignets. Yum! And speaking of their beignets, Rachel Bshero shared a recipe earlier this week that takes you step-by-step through how you can make these delicious treats at home. View the full article

Your California Bucket List: Essential adventures and experiences in the Golden State March 2, 2017, 6 a.m. (Al Seib, Brian van der Brug, Rick Loomis, Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Here's our growing guide to essential California adventures, easy to edgy. We'll be adding to it daily all... View the full article

Here’s a look at three Walt Disney World souvenirs that recently made me go … Hmmmmmmm. It’s not that they’re bad buys or of poor quality. I actually found these three items to be tempting but, in the end, resistible. 1. Light-up Lumiere. At last, your own true-to-life-sized candlestick based... View the full article

“Kaboom!” That’s the word used by Joe Rohde, the Disney executive overseeing the transformation of the California Adventure ride formerly known as the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror into Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout! “Kaboom!” He says it repeatedly — once mixing in the word “kablam!”... View the full article

“Kaboom!” That’s the word used by Joe Rohde, the Disney executive overseeing the transformation of the California Adventure ride formerly known as the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror into Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout! “Kaboom!” He says it repeatedly — once mixing in the word “kablam!”... View the full article

It truly is one of the most beautiful times of the year at Epcot, now that the 2017 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival has officially begun! The Epcot Flower and Garden Festival is Officially Underway! From now through May 29th, Epcot guests will enjoy over seventy Disney-themed topiaries all over the park, special exhibits and seminars for all the Green Thumbs (and those aspiring Green Thumbs!) out there, and the Garden Rocks Concert Series (complete with Dining Packages this year). Additionally, we’ll all enjoy a record number of FIFTEEN Outdoor Kitchens ! Much like the Marketplace Booths at the Food and Wine Festival, the Outdoor Kitchens are serving up small plates and beverages, but with a Spring focus on fresh-from-the-garden ingredients. The Berry Basket Outdoor Kitchen, One of Two New Booths in 2017! Our DFB Spring tradition is trying EACH AND EVERY dish, so let’s waste no time in sharing what we think are the items that you cannot miss at the 2017 Flower and Garden Festival! Don’t forget to visit our 2017 Flower and Garden Festival Menu Page to see the full booth menus and ALL FOOD PHOTOS of this year’s menu items! And, now… it’s time for… The BEST of the FEST Here are your MUST-EATS at the food booths this year: Fairy Cocktail, Urban Farm Eats Our first stop is Urban Farm Eats. We had the chance to try the Fairy Cocktail, a combination of Absinthe, Cucumber, and Lime, at the recent preview event, and we think that it captures the essence of sophistication and Spring perfectly. Urban Fairy Cocktail It’s the just-right sipper as you take in all of the cool exhibits that make up the Urban Farm Eats area! Potato Pancake with Caramelized Ham, Onions, and Herb Sour Cream, Bauernmarkt Bauernmarkt, the German-themed Farmer’s Market, offered a up a few new dishes, and one of our favorites was the savory Potato Pancake with Caramelized Ham, Onions, and Herb Sour Cream. Potato Pancake with Caramelized Ham, Onions, and Herb Sour Cream The shredded potato pancake held up nicely to the hearty toppings. Definitely a winner! Warm Cheese Strudel with Mixed Berries, Bauernmarkt Farmer’s Market But don’t skip dessert at Bauernmarkt. The Warm Cheese Strudel with Mixed Berries also wowed us. Warm Cheese Strudel with Mixed Berries There was plenty of rich, sweet Cheese Filling inside the flaky pastry, and the Berry Sauce complemented the flavors and textures nicely. Carne Asada with Black Bean Cake and Cilantro Lime Sour Cream, Florida Fresh Carne Asada with Black Bean Cake and Cilantro Lime Sour Cream at Florida Fresh was one of the new dishes we were most anxious to try this year! And it didn’t disappoint. Carne Asada with Black Bean Cake and Cilantro Lime Sour Cream The tender Beef served atop a cake made of Black Beans and Rice offered familiar flavors in a whole new presentation. Lamb Chop with Quinoa Salad and Blackberry Gastrique, The Berry Basket The Lamb chop with Quinoa Salad and Blackberry Gastrique from The Berry Basket was one of the most beautiful dishes we tried on Flower and Garden Opening Day! Lamb chop with Quinoa Salad and Blackberry Gastrique And while the Lamb Chop itself — cooked perfectly on our visit, by the way — was a picture, the Quinoa Salad wowed us as well. And I’m totally making Berry Gastrique this weekend. Warm Wild Berry Buckle with Pepperberry Sorbet, The Berry Basket Another of our favorite dishes Warm Wild Berry Buckle with Pepperberry Sorbet. And it was just as amazing out on the Promenade! The warm, moist Cake was so so so so good. But what truly elevates the dish is the Pepperberry Sorbet. Warm Wild Berry Buckle with Pepperberry Sorbet The cold, creamy, icy texture + the warmth from the spice is heaven! We’ll be back for seconds. Twinings® Green Tea Berry Mint Julep, The Berry Basket It took two trips to The Berry Basket to score the Twinings® Green Tea Berry Mint Julep, but it was so completely WORTH IT. The drink was incredibly refreshing, bursting with berry, but the tea and mint flavors also came through. After a very warm day with lots of walking, this was the perfect, light treat. GET THIS. Twinings® Green Tea Berry Mint Julep (Non-Alcoholic) And our recommendation? Skip the liquor here. I’m sure it’s good too. But I can’t see how it could possibly improve this delightful drink. Remember, you can see pictures of ALL THE FOOD — from each new dish to all the returning items — by visiting our Flower and Garden Festival Menu page! What are YOU most excited to try at the Flower and Garden Festival this year? 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 Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: New DFB Video: Sneak Peek and Recommendations for the 2017 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival! Best of the Fest: What to Eat at the 2016 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival First Look: 2017 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival NEW Food Photos…and MORE! View the full article

As excitement builds for the opening of Pandora – The World of Avatar in summer 2017, I’m delighted to announce a new limited edition pin collection is coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park starting March 2. This item is the first of many new unique merchandise products coming as part of Pandora that will immerse Guests in their in-park experience like never before and connect them to this exotic new land. I caught up with Erin Herbst, merchandiser for Disney Pins, to learn more about this countdown collection. “With the addition of this new land to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, we wanted a way to continue the excitement leading up to the grand opening,” explained Erin. “This countdown pin collection features the beautiful travel posters created by Alpha Centauri Expeditions, the exclusive provider of tours to Pandora. We thought guests would love collecting these posters as they prepare to journey to another world.” There will be one new pin released each month from March to May. The first pin in this collection (above left) will be released on March 2. The second countdown pin (center) will be released on April 6. The final individual limited edition pin (above right) will be released on May 4. Each individual pin will have an edition size of 1,250, and will be released at Discovery Trading Company in the park. Artist Dylan Cole designed the travel posters which inspired this pin collection. Attendees may recall getting a first look at the travel posters during the D23 Expo in 2015. Dylan provided design work on Disney’s “Maleficent,” and is currently Co-Production Designer for the upcoming “Avatar” motion picture sequels. Today, guests may see these posters near Tiffins restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park. The final two pins in this collection, called “Completer pins,” will only be found in the five-pin boxed set containing all five travel posters. The boxed set will have an edition size of 250, and will be released during the opening of this new land on May 27. There will be a purchase limit of two limited edition pins, per style, per guest, per release. These pins will not be available via Shop Disney Parks app or the Disney Parks online store. Stay tuned to DisneyParksBlog.com in the coming months for additional looks at new merchandise created especially for Pandora – The World of Avatar! View the full article

Guests can now add a touch of Disney magic to their manicures with new Disney Nail Designs by Jamberry, which are now available at locations across Walt Disney World Resort. There are more than 50 Disney character design to choose from, including Belle, Cinderella and Pocahontas, as well as designs inspired by films like “Frozen” and “The Lion King.” Disney Nail Designs by Jamberry can be added as an enhancement to any nail service at Senses Spa at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, as well as at Walt Disney World salons for $2.50 per nail. View the full article

The Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival returns to the Disneyland Resort from March 10 through April 16, 2017. Each day, guests will enjoy culinary experiences created for the whole family, including a variety of food, beverage and lifestyle seminars, demonstrations and presentations found throughout Disney California Adventure park. I recently spoke with Linda Votaw, a 44-year cast member who is responsible for special event merchandise at the Disneyland Resort. “Designing merchandise for special events is one of the highlights of my role,” she said. “I enjoy visiting locations and seeing guests wearing items I’ve developed. When a guest takes home one of the commemorative products, I know she or he had a wonderful visit to Disneyland Resort.” Working with Disney Design Group artists, Linda and her team found magical inspiration for this year’s commemorative festival products available for purchase at this popular event. “Mickey Mouse is pictured as a chef to give a nod to the many culinary delights guests will find during the event,” said Linda. “We also incorporated a colorful wine glass to salute California’s rich history of wine.” Throughout the festival, guests will find a handful of stylish apparel items for women and men. “We looked at popular and trendy silhouettes when designing the apparel,” said Linda. “Guests will find different interpretations of the main Chef Mickey artwork used on the shirts. All of the apparel is connected with the use of wine-inspired colors that really make the artwork pop!” As a special treat, several items were made especially for Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders, including an event t-shirt and an oversized, limited-edition pin (edition size of 2,000). Passholders must present a valid Disneyland Resort Annual Passport and government-issued photo I.D. at time of purchase. Look for select products in locations throughout Disney California Adventure park, including the Studio Store and Stage 17/Festival Gifts; merchandise carts located next to Wine Country Trattoria; and Seaside Souvenirs. These locations will also carry the Annual Passholder exclusive items. View the full article