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For more than 60 years, the Disneyland Resort has strengthened our community by giving children hope, inspiring others to make a difference and enriching the city we call home. In this video, Disney Ambassadors Alexa Garcia and Mikey Trujillo highlight the top ways the Disneyland Resort gives back to the community, including: Approximately 750 Disney Wishes granted each year to children with life-threatening medical conditions. Grants for the schools and favorite nonprofits of Orange County high school students who take action to improve their communities, homes and schools, as part of the Disneyland Resort Dreamers & Doers program. Happiest Class on Earth tickets for Anaheim sixth-grade students, who have the opportunity to attend the Disneyland Resort with their class, as a field trip, after completing a project that enriches their school or community. ACT Anaheim donations of more than $5 million benefitting underserved Anaheim youth since 2013, in partnership with Angels Baseball and the Anaheim Ducks. Five more KaBOOM! playgrounds coming to Anaheim in the next few years, bringing the total of Disney-sponsored playgrounds in Anaheim to 12 and giving more than 19,000 kids a place to play. View the full article

What Guests Are Loving About 'Rivers of Light' | Disney's Animal Kingdom View the full article

“Rivers of Light,” the new show just debuted at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, bringing more nighttime fun to the park than ever before. We’ve previously shared behind-the-scenes looks at the making of the costumes and storyline for “Rivers of Light,” which takes guests on a journey that explores the deep relationship between the human and animal world. Today, we’re exploring how “Rivers of Light” tells a critical piece of that story through its original score. According to the Walt Disney Imagineering Creative Entertainment team, composing a score for the show involved creating a “soundscape” that would accentuate the animals’ journey along the Rivers of Light. In order to represent all the animals on earth, the score, which was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in England, features a global selection of instruments, including a duduk, bansuri flute, erhu, Chinese Opera Drums and Taiko Drums. Take a peek inside the recording session yourself in the video below. Will you see “Rivers of Light” on your next visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom? Tell us in the comments section below. For more about “Rivers of Light,” visit the posts below: Behind the Scenes: Ancient Techniques & Digital Technology Bring ‘Rivers of Light’ Costumes To Life All in the Details: Learn About The ‘Rivers of Light’ Animal Spirit Guides All in the Details: Storytelling at Rivers of Light’s Discovery River Amphitheater Hear What Guests Are Loving About ‘Rivers of Light’ Disney Parks Blog Unboxed – ‘Rivers of Light’ Merchandise Reservations Open Today for Rivers of Light Dining Package Debuting February 17 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom View the full article

Disney Parks Blog Unboxed – 'Rivers of Light' Merchandise View the full article

The Atlanta Braves began spring training workouts for pitchers and catchers on Wednesday, Feb. 15. It is their 20th spring training at Disney World's ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Meet Braves manager Brian Snitker and some of the key players as they work to prepare for the 2017 season. View the full article

Look no further for exotic adventure than the new Disney Explorers Lodge coming to Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, which we announced in a blog post last year. This 750-room hotel is divided into four wings, each overlooking a lush themed garden named after a beloved Disney character that celebrates different locales around the world. There’s Kevin Garden, themed to South America and named for everyone’s favorite curious bird in “Up.” Also the Little Squirt Garden of Oceania named for the playful sea turtle in “Finding Nemo;” the Hathi Jr. Garden named for the baby elephant from “The Jungle Book” in the heart of Asia; and the Rafiki Garden on the African Savannah with its namesake from “The Lion King.” Intrepid travelers will find themselves surrounded by the golden age of exploration in the early 1920’s, with artifacts and memorabilia displayed across the hotel property. Three unique restaurants serve up signature delights that celebrate new and old world flavors, and themed rooms welcome explorers after a day of discovery. The expedition is complete with a trip to The Trading Post for a few artifacts of your own. Online reservations are now available for Disney Explorers Lodge, with a variety of special offers designed to make every visit an unforgettable adventure. Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more news from Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. View the full article

I have a fascination with lights and water. It’s evident in the endless store of twinkle lights stored in my garage (I have an admission to make – I still have Christmas lights up in my house but that’s just between you and me). If you share in my obsession, and even if you don’t, you are going to love “Rivers of Light.” Our designer, Brittany Ungvarsky, was inspired by the Animals Spirit Guides and their lighted lantern floats. She’s created a glowing wallpaper so you can have your little visual piece of this wonderful show. Be sure to check out the terms of use about using the wallpaper before you download it. Want to check out other designs? Visit our complete gallery of wallpapers here. View the full article

If you hunger for more than just a scenic journey down the Rhine River, Adventures by Disney has added a new weeklong itinerary: the Rhine Food & Wine River Cruise, sailing through Switzerland, France, Germany and the Netherlands. This adults-only cruise is designed to introduce passengers to Europe’s... View the full article

We all have our favorite Disney Resorts, right? Well, today, we’re hearing some big news about two cult favorites — Disney’s Coronado Springs and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort! Old Port Royale at Caribbean Beach Resort There’s fun stuff to share, so let’s take them one at a time. Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort One of Disney’s newer moderately-priced resorts, Coronado Springs has been a favorite spot for us in years past. Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort But its out of the way location near Disney’s Animal Kingdom, combined with its less than memorable cuisine has resulted in our spending less time there. Sure, it’s been fine. But not anything worth making the trip out there for. Until now. Disney has announced that they’ll expand the resort by 500 rooms. And rather than add to the sprawling campus — they’re building UP! Artist’s Rendering of the New Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort © Disney The new addition will be a fifteen-story tower taking center stage at the resort. But our favorite detail? There will be rooftop dining! The space will feature panoramic views that will showcase fireworks displays from nearby parks. Could this be the next California Grill? It sounds like it! Floating gardens, new suites with concierge services, and an island oasis connected by bridges to the rest of the resort will complete the transformation. Existing rooms will also be refurbished as part of the facelift. Will Rix Lounge Receive a Makeover? We’ll See! But seriously — rooftop dining! Fireworks viewing! Cannot. Wait. Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort But another beloved resort — Disney’s Caribbean Beach — is also getting some love. While details are a little more vague on this front, the resort will be “re-imagined.” Outdoor Seating at Caribbean Beach It makes sense. After all, as fun as the Nemo- and Pirates of the Caribbean-themed rooms are, there was a cohesive sense of theming here. So we’re anxious to see how it all shakes out! The resort’s current centerpiece, known as Centertown, will receive a makeover, which is set to include new retail outlets as well as waterfront dining. But Disney, our only request: pleeeeease don’t mess with Banana Cabana — one of the world’s best Pool Bars. Pretty Please! There’s no word about the fate of the Old Port Royale Food Court or Shutters, a largely forgettable table service restaurant. Will Shutters Be Shuttered? Could this also bring into play the proposed Gondola system connecting CBR to Epcot?? We’ll see…!!! While Disney hasn’t shared a timeline for the completion of either project, we look forward to sharing details with you as they emerge! Now let’s hear it: are you excited about the changes coming to Disney’s Coronado Springs and Caribbean Beach Resorts? Leave a comment and let us know! 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: News! A la Carte Menus at Pepper Market in Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort Review: New Caribbean Burger at Caribbean Beach Resort News! and Review: Las Ventanas Makes its Debut at Disney World’s Coronado Springs Resort View the full article

Next month, Disneyland Paris will kick off its 25th anniversary celebration with dazzling new entertainment, decorations, and – of course – costumes! Mickey and Minnie are already gearing up for their big debut, eagerly awaiting the arrival of guests to show off their new duds. Expect to find two new daytime shows, a new parade and a new nighttime spectacular when the festivities premiere on March 26, plus the launch of two new Star Wars experiences. See you all real soon! View the full article

“Rivers of Light,” the new nighttime show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, is just days away from it’s grand debut this Friday, February 17. Today we’re excited to share a behind-the-scenes look at the four costumes you’ll see in the show that represent Earth & Fire and Air & Water. Walt Disney Imagineering Creative Entertainment collaborated closely with noted New York-based costume designer Irina Kruzhilina, to produce designs that reflect a combination of Native American, European and Far Eastern cultures. In the video above, Costumer Amanda Meldrum explains how intricate and complex the show’s costumes are, requiring 81 different embroidery motifs, 180 different fabrics and more than 250 various bead designs. Amanda also shares how their unique production process included both ancient weaving and dying techniques – as well as the use of digital technology – to create the perfect look. Will you see “Rivers of Light” on your next trip to Disney’s Animal Kingdom? Tell us in the Comments section below. Read more about “Rivers of Light” in these posts: All in the Details: Learn About The ‘Rivers of Light’ Animal Spirit Guides All in the Details: Storytelling at Rivers of Light’s Discovery River Amphitheater Hear What Guests Are Loving About ‘Rivers of Light’ Disney Parks Blog Unboxed – ‘Rivers of Light’ Merchandise Reservations Open Today for Rivers of Light Dining Package Debuting February 17 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom View the full article

Guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will have more Star Wars fun to look forward to this spring when BB-8, the loyal droid from Star Wars: The Force Awakens, begins character greetings at the park’s Star Wars Launch Bay. BB-8 will appear in addition to Kylo Ren and Chewbacca, two characters from the Star Wars galaxy who guests regularly encounter at Star Wars Launch Bay. In addition to character greetings, the location also offers guests the chance to explore galleries full of treasured memorabilia and authentic replicas of large-scale Star Wars artifacts, including some from the latest film in the franchise, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Star Wars Launch Bay is just one experience that has debuted at Disney’s Hollywood Studios to the delight of Star Wars fans over the past two years: “Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away” daytime show features characters from around the Star Wars galaxy; while the guest-favorite “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular” nighttime spectacular lights up the park each night. Guests age 4-12 can also become Jedi recruits and put their skills to the test in an unforgettable battle against villains like Darth Vader or the Seventh Sister Inquisitor. And just a few months ago, the park’s Star Tours – The Adventures Continue attraction began offering guests randomized destinations, making different planetary destinations possible for every galactic journey. Keep your eye on the Disney Parks Blog for more information on BB-8’s grand debut in the coming weeks. View the full article

Walt Disney World on Thursday unveiled expansion plans for its Coronado Springs and Caribbean Beach hotels. Coronado Springs Resort will get a new 15-story tower with 500 rooms, featuring suites and concierge level services. The new tower overlooking Lago Dorado, the resort’s centerpiece lake,... View the full article

Whenever it’s time to share exciting news about a new expansion project, I remember one of my favorite Walt Disney quotes. “We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” Today, we are thrilled to share with you that changes are on the horizon at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort over the next two years and let me tell you, there is a lot to be excited about! The expansion at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort will include a new 15-story tower that will add 500 rooms, featuring suites and concierge level services. The resort will also refurbish its current resort rooms and transform its landscape with floating gardens and an island oasis that connects the resort through a series of bridges. The new tower overlooking Lago Dorado, the resort’s centerpiece lake, will allow guests to experience something truly unique, rooftop dining with panoramic views of popular nighttime fireworks from nearby Disney theme parks. Also during this exciting time, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort will be reimagined with new additions to the resort’s current marketplace, Centertown, including new waterfront dining and retail shopping areas. This centralized location will offer the resort’s guests more convenient access to services, amenities and dining. At Walt Disney World Resort, many of our guest’s magical memories start at one of our 27-themed resorts each and every day, which is why we will always continue to “move forward” and “create new experiences” that are integral to the overall resort experience! We can’t wait to share more with you as these projects come to life! View the full article

This week, our “Disney Days of Past” series is back with a historic look back at an attraction you may remember if you visited Magic Kingdom Park in the 1970s or 1980s. In this photo we get a front-seat view from one of the Swan Boats that used to sail around the canals in the Magic Kingdom Park. The boats could carry up to 30 guests and toured the canals of Adventureland and around Cinderella Castle. The Swan Boats ran at the Magic Kingdom from 1973 – 1983. View the full article

We’ve got another Disney Doodle today featuring Disney couples at the Disneyland Resort. Artist Ashley Taylor imagines a romantic moment between Princess Aurora and Prince Phillip in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland park. “Sleeping Beauty Castle is so enchanting and beautiful at night,” said Ashley. “I could easily picture Phillip and Aurora sharing a nightly waltz in front of it!” View the full article

You can spot a Joffrey’s Coffee Kiosk just about anywhere in Disney World these days… which is VERY good news for coffee and tea lovers! Joffrey’s Coffee in Disney World From Animal Kingdom’s Royal Anandapur Tea Company to spots at Epcot featuring Specialty Beverages for the park’s many and varying Festivals and beyond, it seems you’re never too far from a cup of Joffrey’s coffee, tea, or Seasonal Espresso Drink. In fact, just about the only place without a Joffrey’s Coffee Kiosk is Magic Kingdom. Sure, you can find kiosks nearby at both the Ticket and Transportation Center and the Contemporary Resort, but not at Disney World’s original park. Joffrey’s kiosk at the TTC But that’s all about to change when Magic Kingdom gets its very own Joffrey’s Coffee Kiosk in Tomorrowland! It will be especially fun to see how it will be themed to Tomorrowland’s retro-vision-of-the-future, knowing the propensity for Joffrey’s Kiosks to blend in perfectly with their surroundings. Here is an example of one of my favorites, found just outside the Tower of Terror in Hollywood Studios. Tower of Terror Coffee Stand While the exact opening date has yet to be announced, we’ll be looking for it to open soon (most likely in early March). And even better? The new spot will even offer an espresso beverage that you won’t be able to find anywhere else: the More S’mores Latte, garnished with graham sprinkles and marshmallows. This news is especially welcome in light of the fact that we can all get into Magic Kingdom even earlier these days. Tomorrowland is open right after the new morning welcome show — “Let the Magic Begin” — officially kicks off the day, so the new Kiosk should be a perfect place for a pick-me-up after setting your alarm that much earlier! Are you looking forward to this new java spot in Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland? Please let us know with a comment! source: Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea Co. 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: News: Disney World Joffrey’s Kiosks Serving Coffee for a Dollar on September 29th for National Coffee Day News! Joffrey’s Coffee Named As Official Disney Coffee Provider DFB Tip: How to Score a Discount on Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea in Disney World View the full article

Today, we’re celebrating the February 1940 grand premiere of the film “Pinocchio” by offering readers an opportunity to be one of 50 winners of the Disney Parks Blog “Pinocchio” Blu-Ray Combo Pack Sweepstakes. You can enter now for a chance to win a Blu-ray combo pack which includes a Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD of the film. “Pinocchio” is considered by many to be one of the greatest animated films ever made, with two Academy Awards® for best original score and best original song “When You Wish Upon a Star.” The Walt Disney Signature Collection release includes hours of classic bonus material and exclusive features, including a reinvented rendition of “When You Wish Upon a Star” created and performed by music influencers from Disney’s Maker Studios; never-before-seen artwork from the film’s Pleasure Island sequence; archival recordings of Walt himself during “Pinocchio” production; and a recently restored and scored 1927 short featuring Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. You can enter for a chance to win a Blu-ray combo pack by clicking here and following the entry instructions to complete an official entry form. Your entry must state your valid email address and full name. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Sweepstakes starts 2/16/17 at 1:00 p.m. ET and ends 2/16/17 at 3:01 p.m. ET. Open only to persons who, upon entering, are not deemed minors in their jurisdiction of primary residence and are legal residents of, and physically located within, the 50 U.S. or D.C. Limit 1 entry per person/per email address. For complete details, including full eligibility requirements, odds of winning and limitations, see Official Rules. Void where prohibited by law. View the full article

Lately there has been no shortage of incredible food at Walt Disney World’s Epcot. But even with all the stellar food at the International Festival of the Arts, I still craved some of my old favorites from everyone’s go-to caramel spot: Karamel Küche. Learn About: Karamell-Küche Epcot Restaurants Disney World Restaurants Karamel Küche has become a perennial favorite since its debut in 2010. And why not? It’s a charming stop in World Showcase’s Germany pavilion, and it serves some of the most crave-able sweets in the World. We love the Caramel Corn (and we love watching it be made), but who can resist their unassuming-but-oh-so-amazing Caramel Apple Cookie? We can’t! And the Caramel Bacon Square is just crazy enough to work! Plus I can always rely on the Sea Salt Chocolate-Covered Caramel to satisfy my sweet/salty tooth (it’s been my on my must-eat list for, like, seven years, y’all!). Just about anything in their shiny glass display cases is delicious. (Well…maybe not the Caramel-Topped Chocolate Brownie. Too dry. Too boring. Too much else to capture my taste buds and attention.) The menu is pretty self-explanatory, and since the goodies are all on display, you can study your options before making a selection. Karamel Kuche Display And there are so, so many things from which to choose! You will have trouble making a decision, we promise. Karamel Kuche Stroopwafel On this visit, I wanted to try an old favorite and some new treats! Karamel Kuche Treats Let’s start with my old favorite: the Chewy Caramel Bar. This gooey goody has a been my pick for a few years, and it’s pretty easy to see why. From top to bottom, this one satisfies my sweet tooth. Karamel Kuche Chewy Caramel Bar The base is a soft shortbread, and that’s topped with a generous layer of caramel. For a little textural contrast, the talented chefs at Karamel Küche add walnuts and a touch of streusel to the top. This one is sort of sweet on sweet on sweet, and that’s why I love it so much! Karamel Kuche Chewy Caramel Bar BUT…I MIGHT have a new favorite here at the KK… . For those who crave a caramel bar but maybe want some balance to all the sweetness, this one could be right up your alley! Honestly, I chose the Pecan Caramel Bar because I had never tried it. I did not expect to like as much as I did! Karamel Kuche Pecan Carmel Bar So the best thing about this bar is balance of all that caramel-y sweetness with subtle bits of salt. I found this in the crust, which is a little more dense than the shortbread of the Chewy Caramel Bar. I suspect there are bits of the lightly salted pecans in the crust itself. It’s darker color might mean there’s a bit of brown sugar in there too, although it wasn’t overly sweet. (Maybe our talented chef readers can figure this one out?) Karamel Kuche Crust Comparison At any rate, whatever they do to that crust is pretty freaking awesome! Besides the subtle saltiness of the crust, the caramel was topped with a generous smattering of pecans. If you look really closely, you can see they are lightly salted — and that makes all the difference with this one! Karamel Kuche Pecan Bar Love, love, love! I was so surprised by this one, folks! It’s my new favorite Karamell-Küche treat! Now, I know I rave about Karamell-Küche — and with good reason! Almost everything is awesome. But I did find one unfortunate exception on this visit. The Stroopwafel was new to me, so I grabbed that to go along with my bars. Karamel Kuche Stroopwafel It looks great. Thin waffle cookies, strands of rich caramel over the top, a thick layer of caramel in between. I’ve had this type of treat elsewhere, and loved it. So I was super jazzed to try it here. How can this possibly go wrong? Um…shards of stale waffle and stick-to-your-teeth caramel, that’s how. It was not the pleasantly chewy treat I expected. Actually, it was more like a battle in my mouth, and that’s never a good thing. Karamel Kuche Stroopwafel Maybe I got a bad (old?) batch, but I wouldn’t recommend this one based on this experience. (We’ll try it again in a bit and let you know if it’s improved.) So not everything is epic at Karamel-Küche, but if you stick with our picks (and, honestly, just about everything is great as long as you avoid that dry brownie and the crazy-crunchy stroopwaffel), you’re good to go! And it’s still one of my highly recommended stops in Epcot. You NEED to go to here. Do you crave the “Caramel Kitchen” like we do? Confess 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: Caramel and Pecan Treats at Karamell-Küche in Epcot’s Germany Review: Chocolate Caramel Grapes at Karamell-Küche Review: Caramel Bacon Square and Caramel S’more at Epcot’s Karamell-Küche View the full article

Star Wars Day at Sea 2018 | Disney Cruise Line View the full article

As we mark this Presidents’ Day, many of us are enjoying a wonderful perk — a day to sleep in and enjoy a little break. And that means one thing: it’s a GREAT time to plan your next Disney trip! Save 20% on the 2017 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining e-Book Second Edition Pre-Order with Promo Code GEORGE! Our fully guaranteed, comprehensive e-Book offers more than 600 full-color pages to help you plan your very best Disney World trip ever! Pre-Order your 2017 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Second Edition today, and you’ll automatically receive the First Editions FREE as an immediate download! When we release the Second Edition (in early March), we’ll email it to you right away! But if you want even MORE savings, read on… Save 25% on the DFB Guide & Snacks Bundle with Promo Code ABE! This bundle is already super discounted, but this week you can an extra 25% off! Click here to see more information about everything included! And the best news — this offer includes a Pre-Order of the 2017 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Second Edition. That’s like getting an additional book ($18.95 value) for free! It’s your choice! Get the 2017 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Second Edition e-book with the code GEORGE, or the DFB Guide & Snacks Bundle with code ABE — both on sale for a limited time! Our convenient PDF format makes taking the our DFB Guides along a snap — download them instantly to as many electronic devices as you’d like, and go. With your satisfaction guaranteed (yep — love it, or you get your money back!) on all of our DFB Guides, you have nothing to lose! As always, we thank you for your support of the Disney Food Blog! 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: DFB 12 Days of Christmas: Day 5 — Save 30% on Our Most Popular Disney Dining Guidebook Bundle Pre-Order the **2017 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Second Edition** e-Book and Save! DFB Cyber Week SALE: 50% Off the DFB Guide + Snacks Bundle! View the full article

Chef Dom has been at the helm in the kitchen at Cítricos at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa for a little more than a year, joining the Disney culinary team after working in top-tier restaurants in the Northeastern United States. A native of Saint-Tropez, France, his cooking style was influenced by his grandmother, who cooked every day. “I remember helping my grandmother prepare legendary culinary feasts, foraging with my uncle for wild mushrooms and helping tend the family garden,” says Filoni. We met Chef Dom in the private Chef’s Domain at Cítricos for this Q&A: Tell us about this beautiful room we’re sitting in, the Chef’s Domain. The Chef Domain is one of our best-kept secrets – with a door right into the kitchen, we create personalized menus for up to 12 guests. It’s quiet, it’s private, and Stig Jacobsen, our sommelier and proprietor, can pair amazing wines with each course. And we can special order ingredients like duck or rabbit, for instance, for our guests in the Chef’s Domain. Describe your cooking style. French Mediterranean with freshest seasonal ingredients, cooked simply. I’m French with Corsican origins, and grew up on the French Riviera where cooking and eating was a family affair. Growing up with my grandma cooking all the time, when I see polenta, rabbit, beautiful tomatoes, fresh pasta – those food always bring me back to the moments in the kitchen with her. What brought you from the French Riviera to the United States? By age 14, I started formal culinary training in nearby Lycée Technique Hotelier de Hyères, graduating at 17. I worked in small resorts in the south of France, and in 1995 came to the U.S. with one of my co-workers who purchased and renovated a historic restaurant in Philadelphia. And you’ve received some very special accolades throughout your career. I was inducted into the Maitres Cuisiniers de France in 2003, the youngest French master chef in the U.S. I was named “Rising Star Chef Philadelphia” by StarChefs.com in 2004, and on Food & Wine magazine’s list of “Best New Chefs” in 2004. It’s been fun! What’s new on the menu at Cítricos? Rather than completely changing the menu, I tend to add seasonal touches to dishes. For instance, cauliflower soup is on the menu now, poured tableside with fresh Romanesco and cauliflower, topped with fresh Burgundy truffles and a drizzle of white truffle oil. I work with what’s fresh at the market, so you might see peas one day, asparagus the next. I love using Florida seafood, like the Key West shrimp with pasta, baby spinach, a spicy Puttanesca sauce and Parmesan. Any guest favorites? Our cheese board and charcuterie are wonderful with a craft cocktail. The beet salad that’s on the menu now, with fresh hearts of palm and goat cheese, is a winner. And the arancini [fried risotto balls] stay on the menu — our guests love them hot and crispy, served with a little mascarpone and a simple tomato sauce. While the oak-grilled beef filet is most requested, the pan-seared scallops and Kurobuta pork porterhouse are close seconds. Tell us about the beverage program at Cítricos. We specialize in French, Spanish and Italian wines, and sommelier Stig Jacobsen is always on the lookout for great new vintages to share with our guests. We also have the Napa Technology wine dispensing system that allows us to serve very special labels by the glass – California Grill is the only other restaurant at Walt Disney World Resort with the system. And we have a cordial cart in the dining room, a very special way to end a meal with a liqueur. Cítricos generally is only open for dinner, but tell us about Brunch With a Twist. We are having lots of fun with Brunch With a Twist – all of the Grand Floridian chefs collaborate on a menu – our next one is noon May 6. [For reservations, call 407-939-3463.] We do five courses, one for each chef: I’m joined by Executive Chef Scott Hunnel, Chef Noah Estabrook, Chef Nick Mussara, Chef Lawrence Searl and Executive Pastry Chef Erich Herbitschek, representing Victoria & Albert’s, Cítricos, Narcoossee’s, Grand Floridian Cafe and the Grand Floridian Bakery. It’s a real wow. What’s next for Citricos? We’re working on lots of exciting changes, but nothing I can share right now. Check back with me in six months! Finally, tell us — what’s always in the fridge at home? Sriracha, vegetables, fresh herbs, hummus, salad and homemade truffle vinaigrette. Simple! View the full article

Earlier this week, we shared a look at the theming and details you don’t want to miss inside the Discovery River Amphitheater when “Rivers of Light” debuts this Friday, February 17. Today we’re back with an in-depth look at the four Animal Spirit Guides you’ll see in the show. Each Animal Spirit Guide represents a different element: An African Elephant and her calf embody Earth; a Turtle and her baby signify Water; a Great Horned Owl and her owlets symbolize the Sky; and an Asian Tiger represents Fire. Watch for them carefully as soon as you are seated inside the Discovery River Amphitheater, as the Animal Spirit Guides are introduced before the show even begins. You may hear them in the distance or spot their shadows moving across the tree canopy on the opposite riverbank. As the show begins, our mystical storytellers, Aseema and Aditya, set out on their vessels to bring the gift of light to the river. They tell their stories on their respective sails using intricate Balinese shadow puppets of each of the four creatures. The Animal Spirit Guides are then brought forth in the form of four, larger-than-life Asian-inspired lantern floats. As they make their way across Discovery River, each animal springs to life and travels across the river’s towering water curtains. The Animal Spirit Guides then lead us through a visual celebration of earthly and ethereal animal realms – Asian jungles, African savannahs, tropical oceans, North American mountains – ending in the amazing Aurora Borealis (known in some cultures as the sky’s “Rivers of Light”). Want to see “Rivers of Light” in person? The show is included in theme park admission. Check dates and times – or make FastPass+ reservations – on the My Disney Experience app; access the standby seating (open to any guest); or consider booking a dining package, which includes reserved seating. For more about “Rivers of Light” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, visit the stories below: All in the Details: Storytelling at Rivers of Light’s Discovery River Amphitheater Reservations Open Today for Rivers of Light Dining Package Debuting February 17 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom ‘Rivers of Light’ Officially Opens February 17 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom All in the Details: Creating ‘Rivers of Light’ Costumes All in the Details: Creating ‘Rivers of Light’ Animal Spirit Guide Floats View the full article

We are muy emocionados to share with you a new video series with Latina Magazine blogger Paula Bendfeldt-Diaz, who recently visited Walt Disney World Resort with her familia. Paula, who also writes for the blog Growing Up Bilingual with her husband Cesar, visited our four theme parks and created a video series to share her favorite things to do to have ‘endless magic’ with her children. In the first video, Paula and her familia visit Magic Kingdom Park, where they ride attractions like Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin in Tomorrowland and meet Princess Elena at Princess Fairytale Hall. What are your favorite attractions and things to do at Magic Kingdom Park? Latina Magazine and Walt Disney World Resort are offering you the opportunity to have a magical vacation for a family of four! Enter here or more details! View the full article

When guests sail with us, we love that their experience doesn’t end when they step off the ship. They remember it for a lifetime and relive the magic by talking about it with family, friends — and everyone they meet! Because of those shared experiences, we’re excited to be honored with eight first-place awards, including the Best for Families, in the recently announced 2017 Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Awards based on thousands of reviews. Cruise Critic reviewers recognized the Disney Magic as the No. 1 cruise for families while also ranking the Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy and Disney Wonder as top cruise ships in the Best for Families category. In the large-ship category, the Disney Dream took the No. 1 spots for Best Overall Ship, Best Cabins, Best Public Rooms, Best Service and Best Shore Excursions. This is the third consecutive year the Disney Dream has won Best Overall in the large-ship category. Also in the large-ship category, the Disney Fantasy was recognized as the Best for Fitness & Recreation. While the Disney Magic took top honors for Best Overall Ship in the mid-size ship category. The Cruisers’ Choice Awards are selected based on the thousands of reviews and ratings made by the Cruise Critic community last year. Cruise Critic is one of the largest online cruise communities with more than 150,000 cruise reviews. We can’t thank our guests enough for sharing their Disney cruise story and the many cast and crew members dedicated to making every vacation magical. What is the one thing about your Disney cruise that you talk about most with your family and friends? View the full article