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Darden Restaurants made a formal response Monday to investor criticisms of its Olive Garden chain. View the full article

With fall arriving in just a few short weeks, I stopped by the Disney Cruise Line merchandise showroom at Disney Theme Park Merchandise headquarters in Florida. Fall is one of two times during the year when a variety of new merchandise is introduced both at Disney Parks and on Disney Cruise Line. Here is a look at some new collections you will find the next time you are sailing. The first program is called “Ahoy Minnie” and features a stylized Minnie Mouse in red, white and blue. The artwork was created by Disney Design Group artist Susan Foy. I like the use of the anchor and Minnie Mouse’s iconic polka-dot covered bow on several items that you can mix and match. Knotted nautical rope is the foundation of design for the second collection called “Mickey Knots.” This program uses Mickey Mouse’s silhouette outlined with rope on apparel and home goods. I love the coffee mug that uses rope for the handle. Falling into the category of “long overdue,” the team designed some Captain Mickey Mouse T-shirts. They remind me of the classic Mickey Mouse T-shirts that have been at Disney Parks for years. I love simple designs! The team also designed a chalkboard-inspired art program that reminded me of the artwork created for Disney Centerpiece in the Marketplace Co-Op at Downtown Disney Marketplace. Happy Sailing! New Products Sailing This Fall on Disney Cruise Line by Steven Miller: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

Anna and Elsa, from Disney’s hit animated feature, “Frozen,” have been appearing in Disneyland park for some time, meeting guests at their special location in Fantasyland. Now, there is a new way to meet these famous sisters with a virtual wait system, which allows you to experience other attractions while you wait! Guests visiting the “Frozen” character location in Fantasyland can present their valid park ticket or Annual Passport (used for park entry) to obtain a Return Time Ticket. On the ticket, they will be assigned a 20-minute window to return later in the day to meet with Anna and Elsa. There is no longer a standard queue for the location, and once all return times for the day have been distributed no more return times will be issued. In addition to the location in Fantasyland, guests may also see Anna and Elsa in their special appearance before “Mickey’s Soundsational Parade” each day at Disneyland park. Return Time Tickets Help Disneyland Park Guests Meet ‘Frozen’ Favorites Anna and Elsa by Erin Glover: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

Ficar em hotel do Walt Disney World Resort tem muitas vantagens. Aproveite o transporte gratuito entre o Aeroporto Internacional de Orlando e o seu hotel Disney, através do serviço Disney...From:Disney ParksViews:20ratingsTime:01:22More inTravel & Events

UPDATE: “Big Hero 6″ Sneak Peek opens to Disneyland park guests September 26, not September 25 as previously stated. I recently had an opportunity to visit Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, Calif., where modern Disney classics like “Wreck-It Ralph” and “Frozen” were made. Right now, filmmakers at the studio are busy putting the finishing touches on their latest animated feature, “Big Hero 6.” From what I saw during my visit, I think “Big Hero 6” is going to be a huge hit, packed with plenty of humor and heart. We still have a couple more months before “Big Hero 6” hits theaters, but soon guests at Disneyland park will get to see an exclusive sneak preview of the film. For a limited time starting September 25 26, the “Big Hero 6” Sneak Peek will be presented in 4D with special in-theater effects at the Magic Eye Theater in Tomorrowland. From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes “Big Hero 6,” an action-packed comedy-adventure about the special bond that develops between young prodigy Hiro Hamada and his closest companion, a robot named Baymax. When a devastating event befalls the city of San Fransokyo and catapults Hiro into the midst of danger, he turns to Baymax and a group of friends, whom he transforms into a band of high-tech heroes, to help uncover a mystery and save the day. Disney’s “Big Hero 6” opens in theaters in 3D on November 7, 2014. Sneak Preview of ‘Big Hero 6’ Coming to Disneyland Park September 26 by Shawn Slater: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

This week’s “Caption This” image was shot inside a popular attraction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom – DINOSAUR. What’s on this guy’s mind as the Time Rover approaches? You tell us. Go ahead and “Caption This” photo in the comments section below! Caption This: DINOSAUR Greets Guests at Disney’s Animal Kingdom by Jennifer Fickley-Baker: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

We’re off to the races! Learn About: Turf Club Bar and GrillDisney World RestaurantsAnd by “races,” I mean sitting and enjoying dinner ;). Today we’re heading to The Turf Club Bar and Grill at Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa. The theme of this Disney Vacation Club resort reflects upstate New York and celebrates its history of horse racing. Naturally, this theme extends to its solo Table Service Restaurant – The Turf Club (a common name for dining establishments offering great club views of the races at many horse racing destinations across the country). Oh, and if you’re curious about where you can find THIS chocolate dessert at Disney World, you’ll want to stay tuned! Sign leading you to the Turf Club Heading towards the Turf Club Bar and Grill And so with that, I say… “Riders up!” Let’s dig in! AtmosphereUpon arriving for our Advance Dining Reservation at 5:00 pm (the earliest seating at this dinner-only spot), I noticed that just behind the check-in stand was a beautiful wooden piece resembling an old-fashioned horse stable. “Horse stable” Okay, that’s not entirely true… I didn’t pick up on the fact that it was supposed to be a stable until exiting the restaurant, which is why this picture was taken from the back . Once I realized it, I thought it was pretty clever. All that to say… themeing here is quite subtle. Dark woods and deep greens are predominant, and the overall effect is appealing. Indoor Seating at the Turf Club Of course, you will find a few nods to the equestrian theme throughout the restaurant. Framed horse racing gear Carpet decoration Covered, outdoor seating is available, offering views of the Lake Buena Vista Golf Course. Outdoor seating Outdoor seating And our host checked with us if we would like to be seated outdoors, but since they day was still very warm, we chose indoor seating. Indoor Seating Table for two Overall, think less whimsical, and more refined. The general feeling is calm — especially coupled with the fact that this is a resort restaurant that isn’t near a park (Saratoga Springs is in the Downtown Disney area), and it can definitely be considered a spot for a more relaxed meal. EatsWhile we perused the menu, a batch of warm, fresh dinner rolls was delivered to our table, along with a simple salted butter. Dinner rolls Butter dusted with salt While I didn’t order any on this trip, I get a kick out of checking out the specialty drink menu here, since the beverage names pay tribute to various race tracks and horse racing terms. Naturally, they serve Mint Juleps — a Kentucky Derby tradition. Specialty drink menu Ultimately, we held back on eating too much bread since we were curious about one of the appetizers that our server recommended: the Buffalo Chicken Dip. Appetizer menu It’s pulled chicken, buffalo sauce, and blue cheese, topped with shredded celery and served with Saratoga Chips. Buffalo Chicken Dip and Saratoga Chips The first thing we noticed even before digging in was the substantial portion. This one is made for sharing, and because it’s so rich I’d even recommend it for a group of three or four if you’re ordering full entrees after. That richness stems from the hearty serving of chicken – this is one of those “the more you eat, the more shows up in the bowl somehow” things . I liked that I could work around the small topping of melted Blue Cheese quite easily ;), and my husband and I agreed the buffalo sauce had just the right amount of kick. Buffalo Chicken Dip “Saratoga Chips,” for those curious, are pretty much the housemade chips you’ll find at various resort counter service locations all around property – and that’s not a bad thing. The salty kick and crunchy texture worked better with the dip than I anticipated. Overall, it’s a fun play on buffalo wings — themselves an upstate New York tradition, though a little farther west than Saratoga. Next up? Entrees! Entree menu My entrée of choice was the Grilled New York Strip Steak, which is served with asparagus, mashed potatoes, and Lobster Fondue. (?!???!?! Lobster Fondue??) Grilled New York Strip I knew I was in the mood for beef, but what tipped the scales towards the New York Strip over the Prime Rib was that mention of Lobster Fondue. Before we dive into that, I want to share that my steak was good on its own. I’d ordered it medium rare, and what I received was probably closer to medium; but it tasted fine — subtly charred and lightly seasoned. There is nothing unique to note about the mashed potatoes. Side of mashed potatoes Steak cross-section But this teeny little bowl is what elevated this entrée from “fine” to something I would come back to enjoy again. Here it is before digging in, and at first glance, it seems simple enough. Lobster Fondue But then you dip in your steak, and the cheese, butter, cream, and chunks of lobster come together with the steak to make its own mini version of surf and turf! Our server (really friendly and attentive, by the way) shared that many guests like to take the fondue and drizzle it over their entire meal — which is a good call, too! But I stuck to dipping. Steak dipped in Lobster Fondue While it’s a little messy for a photo, you can check out the lobster chunks in this picture. Lobster chunks in fondue Be warned: this makes the meal even more filling rather quickly, but it’s worth it! My husband chose the Root Beer Brined Pork Chop served with Sweet Potato Hash and Sautéed Greens. Root Beer Brined Pork Chop Root Beer Brined Pork Chop While he didn’t pick up on a distinct root beer flavor, he said it had more of a general sweetness to it. He found it to be well-seasoned, along with being a very generous portion. Root Beer Brined Pork Chop cross section He was excited to see the Sweet Potato Hash as an option, and when he saw the way they were diced he said he was reminded of one of his favorite sides at Disney World: Potatoes with Afritude from Boma. Sweet Potato Hash Unfortunately, the reminder ended there, because he found these to have an unexpected bitter taste and wished he had substituted for a side of mashed potatoes. Finally, we’re on to dessert, and our first choice was the Chocolate Espresso Torte. Dessert Menu This little dish has caused quite a stir over the past few months. You see, its image was featured on the official Disney World website; however, it was unlabeled and unnamed, inspiring a lot of readers to ask: “Where can I find THAT chocolate dessert at Walt Disney World?!” You can find it here at The Turf Club! Here is the image from Disney. Chocolate Espresso Torte © Disney And this is what we received. Chocolate Espresso Torte You can see that, in “person,” the chocolate was more generously poured over the torte, as opposed to drizzled. (Hooray!) The dark chocolate flavor was definitely dominant, with just a hint of espresso here and there, along with bursts of raspberry from the syrup the dessert is served upon (which isn’t reflected in the official image). The torte is very rich and every bit as decadent as it appears. Texture of the Torte Texture of the Torte It’s served with a Vanilla-Port Wine Ice Cream, and while my husband didn’t care for its distinct flavor at all, I really liked it – though not so much on its own. I wouldn’t sit and eat a bowl of it, but it really served its purpose of drawing out even more of the chocolate flavor when sampled right after a bite of the torte. Chocolate Espresso Torte with Vanilla Port ice cream Though the Torte is the talk of the town, I also loved our other choice of dessert: Lemon Curd with Berries. Now, you do absolutely have to adore lemon curd to enjoy this, because that’s basically all this is: a glassful of lemon curd! Lemon Curd with Berries And since I had been questioning my choice of not getting a Mint Julep earlier in the evening, the fresh mint garnish made up for that a bit. Of course, there is more whipped cream in here than you can see from the outside of the glass, as well as a few more blueberries. Digging into the layers This adds just a touch of variety to the texture, as well as a bit of creamy sweetness to balance the tart lemon curd, along with a couple of fruity bursts from the berry. Simple, but delicious. OverallThe Turf Club isn’t what anyone might call a destination restaurant or “must-do dining,” due to its non-park-centric location and low-frills atmosphere. But I can say I walked away having truly enjoyed my meal here. Plus, the perks of not making the “must-do” list are that the general atmosphere is typically calm, and it can be relatively easy to snag an Advance Dining Reservation or possibly a walk-up. Should you find yourself in this corner of the “World” (and access to Saratoga Springs Resort is a bit easier these days thanks to the recent addition of a more direct walkway from Downtown Disney’s Marketplace), The Turf Club offers a few pleasant surprises a little bit off the beaten path. Have you dined at The Turf Club? Please let us know what you thought 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: Guest Review: The Artist’s Palette at Disney’s Saratoga Springs ResortReview: Turf Club AppetizersReview: Maya Grill at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort View the full article

This week, Tom Staggs shared the exciting update that construction is starting at the Walt Disney World Resort on a brand new “Frozen” attraction at the Norway Pavilion in Epcot. The new attraction, which replaces Maelstrom, will take you to Arendelle and immerse you in many of their favorite moments and music from the film. Tom also shared that “Frozen’s” popular characters will have a bigger presence at Magic Kingdom Park this holiday season. Queen Elsa will use her powers to transform Cinderella Castle into an ice palace every night starting in early November and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party-goers can see Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, and Olaf in “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade.” Some favorite elements of Frozen Summer Fun LIVE! will continue at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Check our original blog story for all of the details. And Erin shared some important holiday news from Disneyland Resort. Holidays at the Disneyland Resort is returning November 13 and will continue through January 6, 2015. At Disneyland Park, The Happiest Place on Earth will get merrier once again with the following favorites: “A Christmas Fantasy” parade“it’s a small world” HolidayHaunted Mansion HolidaySleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle“Believe … in Holiday Magic” fireworks spectacularCheck our original story for more details from Disney California Adventure Park and Downtown Disney District. Here are some of the other stories we worked on this week. Disneyland Resort Cast Members Help Make Cinderella’s Crystal Coach Accessible to Guests with Mobility Issues – Learn how Larry and Kelcie Ragsdale were able to have the wedding of their dreams, thanks to the help of Disneyland Resort cast members. Club Disney at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Offers Fun for Little Ones – Check out this new children’s activity center, a great place for little ones to play while their parents catch some alone time. Olaf’s Adventures by Disney Vacation – Olaf from the hit Disney film “Frozen,” traveled around Norway with Adventures by Disney Guide Kira. Click through to see more! Vote Now for the Top Disneyland Resort Memory from the 1950s – We’re honoring the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration by sharing memories from the past six decades. Vote now on the top submissions from the 1950s! Disney’s ‘Aladdin’ on Broadway Grants Wish to Visit Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa – Watch the Genie and cast of Disney’s “Aladdin” on Broadway grant a wish to visit Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa to an unsuspecting couple! Halloween Carnival Returns to Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree at Disneyland Park – Read up on what’s new at this Halloween favorite, including favorite Disney characters in Halloween costumes, Mickey’s Mask-Parade, amazing pumpkin carving demonstrations and more. Disney Parks Blog Weekly Recap by Thomas Smith: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

Are you ready for all of the appetizing eats and sips featured at this year’s Epcot Food and Wine Festival? Yes! The Festival gets underway this week with a September 19th debut. Grilled Beef Skewer with Chimichurri Sauce and Boniato Purée at the Patagonia Booth And we’ll be devouring ALL of the menu items as so that we can keep our readers updated with new reviews. Stay tuned this week for photos, reviews, and updated pricing on all of the Festival menus! Plus, click below for all the details on this week’s Disney Food News! Disney Food NewsWe highlighted the NEW dishes at the 2014 Disney World Epcot Food and Wine Festival!Allergy-friendly menus are currently being tested at select Disney World restaurants.Try a great new Fall treat — the pumpkin spice macaron ice cream sandwich — at L’Artisan des Glaces in Epcot’s France!Two new dessert bars have made their way to the pastry case at Landscape of Flavors at Disney World’s Art of Animation Resort: Seven Layer Bars and Toffee Shortbread!Check out the new, seasonal Pumpkin Spice ice cream and ice cream sandwiches at Epcot’s France!The pumpkin muffin is back at Disneyland’s Jolly Holiday this year! Check out all the latest Disney Food News — even the stuff we don’t mention in posts on the blog! — on our Disney Food News Pin Board, including restaurant closures, and more! DFB Reader FindsIf you find a fun new food — or other edible awesomeness — in or from Disney, share a photo with us on facebook or twitter so we can add it to our DFB Reader Finds each Sunday! We’re featuring delicious entrees from Disney California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort in California! Here’s the Red Oak-Smoked Honey-Whiskey Barbecue Tri-Tip with mashed potatoes and seasonal veggies was shared by Facebook friend, Terry. Try it at Ariel’s Grotto. BBQ Tri-Tip We were also sent this pic of a Thai Lettuce Wrap on the menu at the Cove Bar — sent in by Facebook friend Joanne. Thai Lettuce Wrap What’s your Favorite Find? Send it in! The DFB Guide to the 2014 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-BookPick up your copy of the DFB Guide to the 2014 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival e-Book! The DFB Guide to the 2014 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book features all the info you need to know before you attend the Food and Wine Festival this year, from what’s NEW this year to touring strategies — and a new section with top tips on how to use MyMagic+ at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival! As always, we’ve made this guide instantly downloadable for your convenience, and easily installed on your mobile devices. It’s a PDF guide with over 220 pages of detailed information about the Festival as well as photographs and customized bonus items to help you get the best experience possible. On a budget? Find out how to make those dollars (or Disney Dining Plan snack credits) stretch all around World Showcase. And we have a fully updated FAQ section that answers questions you didn’t even know you had! Bonus ItemsThe DFB Guide to the 2014 Epcot Food & Wine Festival includes customized bonus items that go above and beyond any other Food & Wine Festival coverage currently available. These include: A full, daily schedule of events for every day of the festivalA printable World Showcase Booth Menu Checklist that you can use to plan, and easily bring with you to the festivalThemed World Showcase booth crawls (there’s even one for the kids!)Food and Wine Festival customized Touring Strategies for One Day visits, Budget-Conscious visits, visits with kids, and moreA chapter dedicated to all “New for 2014″ events, menu items, booths, and moreFull food, wine, beer, winery, cocktail, and chef indexes, including dates and locations of where you can find your favoritesEpcot Food and Wine Festival recipesTop tips on how to use MyMagic+ at the Epcot Food and Wine FestivalAnd more!Don’t forget — for easy access in the parks, put the guide on your smartphone or ipad! Deluxe Belle Costume for Halloween and Dinner at the Beast’s Castle! On to the Round-Up!Mickey Fix highlights a gorgeous Belle costume. Just in time for trick-or-treating, a meal at Be Our Guest, or an at-home dinner party. DisZine takes a look at the new Haunted Mansion merchandise location. We can’t wait for the spooky goods! PassPorter Moms Podcast chats with AJ about the Epcot Food and Wine Festival. Hooray!! AllEars celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month at Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival. Main Street Gazette visits Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. One of our favorite places! Central Florida Future takes a look at restaurants that serve with sass, including 50′s Prime Time Cafe and Whispering Canyon Cafe at Walt Disney World! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com!Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on TwitterBecome a Facebook Fan Related posts: Disney Food Post Round-Up: September 7, 2014Disney Food Post Round-Up: September 8, 2013Disney Food Post Round-Up: July 27, 2014 View the full article

A 41-year-old motorcyclist was killed Saturday when he was struck by a wrong way vehicle that had just been in another accident, according to Florida Highway Patrol. View the full article

Islamic State militants fighting in Iraq and Syria released a video on Saturday that purported to show the beheading of British aid worker David Haines. View the full article

The biggest Maker Faire to hit Orlando yet drew more than 3,000 people on its first day, showcasing the area’s tech companies, craftsmen and inventors. View the full article

Orange County is about to lose its top public health watchdog — a man who, for 10 years and 1.2 million residents, has led the front-lines fight against everything from infectious disease to bioterrorism to cigarette smoking. View the full article

As Universal Orlando builds more lodging for its visitors, the competition could pressure nearby hotels to fight back with room renovations or new amenities, tourism experts said. View the full article

The University of Central Florida — which already has a massive and growing campus in east Orange County — is moving quickly on a plan to build a $75 million satellite campus in downtown Orlando. View the full article

The imagery shocks: a noose dangling between photos of two hanged men, drawings of children labeled "Alligator Bait," a gun-range target shaped like a human. View the full article

TALLAHASSEE — If the race for governor were a popularity contest, Adrian Wyllie would feel good about his odds. View the full article

Earlier this week we shared a look at some of the amazing Halloween decor that is now brightening up Magic Kingdom Park at the Walt Disney World Resort. These are truly some can’t-miss photos, don’t you agree? GalleryHalloween Decor Now Haunts Magic Kingdom Park view allOf course, one great time to experience the fall decor for yourself is during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Have you been to one? Tell us in the “Comments” section below! For more fall activities coming to Walt Disney World Resort, check out the links below: No Tricks, Just Treats at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World ResortDetails Materialize About New Haunted Mansion-Themed Shop Coming to Magic Kingdom Park This FallNew Merchandise Coming to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom ParkMickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Returns Tonight at Walt Disney World ResortVillains’ Sinister Soiree: A Wicked Takeover of Cinderella Castle with VIP Parade Viewing, Fireworks and Delicious Sweets at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween PartyThis Week in Disney Parks Photos: Fall Decor Arrives at Magic Kingdom Park by Jennifer Fickley-Baker: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

There are two key factors in the success of Orlando Shakespeare Theater's "Les Miserables." One, in the lead role of Jean Valjean, Michael Hunsaker is magnificent. View the full article

Great news for those of us eagerly awaiting the pumpkin-y, spicy Fall treats at Disney World! This year, we’ll have a brand new snack to sample in Epcot’s France pavilion: the Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream Sandwich at L’Artisan des Glaces! l’Artisan des Glaces Pumpkin Spice Macaron Sandwich This seasonal treat joins other must-try snacks at the little ice cream and sorbet shop in Epcot’s France pavilion at Walt Disney World, like the chocolate macaron ice cream sandwich, the ice cream martini, and the warm on the outside / cold on the inside pressed brioche ice cream sandwich. Pumpkin Spice Macaron Ice Cream Sandwich The chefs at the pavilion have been hard at work perfecting their recipe for pumpkin spice ice cream, and they’ve finally gotten it right! The fresh, housemade ice cream can be a part of this intriguing macaron sandwich, sold by the scoop, or doused with a special caramel sauce and tucked inside one of those incredible brioche ice cream sandwiches. Brioche Ice Cream Sandwich This is the perfect way to enjoy Fall flavors and still beat the September and October heat in Orlando! How would you take your Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream? Macaron sandwich, brioche sandwich, martini? Let us know 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: Review: NEW Vanilla Macaron Ice Cream Sandwich at L’Artisan des Glaces in Epcot’s FranceReview: New Chocolate Macaron Ice Cream Sandwich at L’Artisan des Glaces in EpcotFun Find: Macaron Merch in Epcot’s France Pavilion View the full article

Wearing a T-shirt that read "RIP Lamar ... We love you," Nicole Saylor remembered 14-year-old Lamar Jazz Hawkins III for the way he lived rather than the way he died. View the full article

Oregon couple Larry and Kelcie Ragsdale had the wedding of their dreams at the Disneyland Resort last week. The young couple’s lives changed in an instant when Larry’s car was hit by a drunk driver the night he was going to propose to Kelcie. He survived the crash but was left with severe head trauma that requires him to use a wheelchair. Thanks to their generous community, the couple was wed in a beautiful Disney Fairytale Wedding. The bride- and groom-to-be were transported like royalty to the ceremony in Cinderella’s crystal coach, thanks in part to the cast members who make up the CastABLE diversity resource group (DRG). As you may have read in a recent Disney Parks Blog post about our military DRG, SALUTE, these groups serve as resources to the company and our cast by sharing the unique perspectives and contributions that diverse communities can offer. Cast members in CastABLE often work with Disney designers and technicians to ensure accessibility for guests with mobility issues. These cast members also worked with the Disneyland Resort Entertainment, Safety and Disney Fairytale Weddings teams to customize Cinderella’s crystal coach to allow for a portable lift system to transfer a person with mobility issues into the coach. The team not only looked at safety requirements with the design of the ramp, transference and familiarization with the horses drawing the carriage, but also focused on staging the coach and beautifying the railings to ensure that the experience adds to each couple’s special day. “They had already done a really good job of modifying the coach,” said CastABLE’s Michelle Beausoliel-Smith, part of the testing team. “We helped them better understand how a person with mobility issues would use the system. It is truly gratifying as a cast member and to be able to participate in those feedback sessions, and know that in a small way I’ve helped someone’s wedding dream come true.” Disneyland Resort Cast Members Help Make Cinderella’s Crystal Coach Accessible to Guests with Mobility Issues by Melanie Vogel: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

Spirit away for some spook-tacular fun at a series of family-friendly Halloween events at the Disneyland Resort from September 12 to October 31, 2014. SUBSCRIBE: http://di.sn/q7h About Disneylan...From:Disney ParksViews:16576396ratingsTime:00:31More inTravel & Events

It may not be fall yet, but Magic Kingdom Park is already in the Halloween spirit. GalleryHalloween Decor Now Haunts Magic Kingdom Park view allOur Disney Photographer Charlie Champagne recently headed out to get these great nighttime shots of the park in both the daytime and nighttime, including shots of fall garland, illuminated pumpkins, scarecrows and more. Which element of the park’s fall decor is your favorite? Tell us in the “Comments” section below! For more on Halloween at Walt Disney World Resort, check out the links below: New Merchandise Coming to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom ParkMickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Returns Tonight at Walt Disney World ResortVillains’ Sinister Soiree: A Wicked Takeover of Cinderella Castle with VIP Parade Viewing, Fireworks and Delicious Sweets at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween PartyHalloween Decor Now Haunts Magic Kingdom Park by Jennifer Fickley-Baker: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

Join me in welcoming guest author Lottie Linter with a review of The Steakhouse in the Disney Village at Disneyland Paris! Unlike Walt Disney World’s Downtown Disney, the Disney Village at Disneyland Paris is where you’ll find most of the table service options at the resort. This is because the parks in Paris close very early (around 6 or 7PM) out of peak season, and not everybody wants to sit down to eat at 5:30PM, especially in Europe! We prefer to eat later, so we booked a table at The Steakhouse for 8PM on a Monday evening. AtmosphereFrom the outside, the restaurant looks a little non-descript, and with the enticing Planet Hollywood, Rainforest Café, and Annette’s Diner drawing in people nearby, it’s easy to overlook this place if you only walk through the main thoroughfare of the village. In fact having visited Disneyland Paris seven times previously, I didn’t even notice this restaurant until I was a Cast Member there a few years ago! The entrance takes up just a small strip of the Disney Village facades, but once you are inside and down a short corridor lined with dark wooden paneling and a wine fridge, the restaurant opens out into an absolutely huge warehouse complete with a large conservatory area. Exterior of The Steakhouse The entrance corridor, taken from the bar After checking in, you can wait at the old-fashioned bar and have a pre-dinner drink, but as we were visiting out of season the restaurant wasn’t full and we were shown straight to our table. The spacious bar area The dining room is very impressive, and is themed around the Chicago meat markets during the prohibition era. There are black and white photographs all over the walls of who I can only assume were supposed to be wealthy meat-traders, or market owners – it’s not immediately clear, but I do think they add something quirky to the décor. Some of the black and white pictures on the walls One of the big walls is vintage-style painted brickwork, but it has been made to look like they pulled down the plaster from a more modern steak restaurant to discover the old meat warehouse underneath. The conservatory area has black and white tiled floors and looks towards Lake Disney, McDonald’s, and the building that houses the Rainforest Café. The huge exposed wall along one side of the restaurant This slightly raised part of the restaurant with booths only opens at busier times The conservatory area We were pleased to be seated in the main warehouse area, and although our particular two-top was quite close to the one next to us, in general the rest of the tables seemed to be quite nicely spaced. At busier times they also have live jazz playing in this restaurant, which I imagine would really take the atmosphere up a notch, but tonight we just had the sounds of the hustle and bustle in the dining room. If there was any music, we couldn’t hear it! Cool light fixtures in the main dining room EatsIn France, they tend to eat from prix-fixe menus – these are often made up of a select number of options from the à la carte menu but priced at a discount. The Steakhouse is no different, and offered up the ‘Menu Jazz’ and the ‘Menu Chicago’ – these were the same, but the ‘Jazz’ was slightly cheaper as it only offered two of the three courses on the menu. We paid €27.99 (around $38) each for this menu, plus drinks. We went with the Menu Jazz mainly because we had taken advantage of happy hour at the nearby King Ludwig’s Castle, and had counted our glasses of wine/steiners of beer as a starter! There were only four main course options to choose from; steak, chicken, fish, and vegetarian pasta. There are a lot more choices if you are dining from the à la carte menu though, including a burger and some other steak options, so there should be something to keep everyone happy. My boyfriend was very disappointed to see that the ostrich steak he had eaten here a few years previously and declared ‘the best meal I’ve ever eaten’ was no longer on the menu. If you ever visit and see that it has returned, he wholeheartedly recommends that you try it. While waiting for our meals to be served, we were given a bread basket containing four nicely shaped rolls and a small pot of beurre d’Isigny (a French butter). The rolls were warm but a little chewy and the butter was lovely and creamy. The nicely presented bread basket I chose the Cajun chicken, served with a jacket potato topped with two huge dollops of a ‘creamy herb sauce’, which was actually more of a cream cheese in texture. Despite its rather plain appearance, my dish was fantastic. The Cajun spices were only on the crispy skin of the chicken, and had just the right amount of kick for somebody like me who doesn’t ‘do’ spicy. The chicken breast itself was juicy and not at all dry. The jacket potato was light and fluffy with a salty, crispy-ish skin, and the sauce/cream cheese was plentiful and very flavorsome; in fact I could’ve easily eaten more than the two big scoops I was served. I say the skin of the potato was crispy-ish because it tasted like it might have once been very crispy, but it had probably been reheated since it was first baked. This was only a small niggle though, as it tasted so good. There were also a few drops of a barbecue-style sauce on the plate and a tasty roasted cherry tomato, but these were more for show. The Cajun chicken I was disappointed to find that my dish wasn’t served with any vegetables – as a salad dodger I get all of my nutrients from vegetables, so had to make do with just protein and carbs this time. Luckily they were great! For his main course, my boyfriend went with the grilled sirloin steak, served with chips, peppercorn sauce, and a large side salad. The salad probably would have been enough for both of us, but as I don’t like salad at all, this part of the meal went largely untouched unfortunately. My boyfriend said it wasn’t particularly nice; the leaves tasted like they might have been left under a heat lamp and the vinaigrette was nothing special either. The general rule in France is to order your meat one level more ‘done’ that you really want it, as ‘well done’ just doesn’t seem to exist there. With this in mind, my boyfriend ordered his medium-rare, in the hope that it might be a little more on the rare side. Unfortunately, it actually came out overdone, and erring on medium – they are obviously used to British guests sending undercooked steaks back! It did come with a cute Donald Duck stick in it to signify how well done it was though, which we thought was a nice touch. He said his steak was nice, but a little chewy on account of being more cooked than he would’ve liked it. Unfortunately the chips weren’t great either, and could’ve done with being crispier. The sauce was the redeeming feature of the dish, very rich and creamy with a strong peppercorn flavor. Grilled Sirloin steak, slightly too chewy Side salad, served with steak dishes Onto desserts – I couldn’t be at a restaurant in France, and not order a crème brûlée, so that was the obvious choice for me. It was a flambéed vanilla option, which was lit at the table – a great show. This was lovely and creamy with a strong vanilla flavor and the alcohol on the sugar topping gave a bit of extra depth to what is otherwise quite a standard dessert. The menu didn’t specify what the alcohol was, but I think it was something along the lines of a Grand Marnier. Vanilla crème brûlée, flambéed at the table! Fun dessert My boyfriend is a bit of a cheesecake connoisseur, and can’t ignore a menu on which it features. He went for the New York cheesecake which he said was very well flavored and one of the better NY cheesecakes he has eaten. It was quite dense, but not in a frozen way, rather that the cheesecake recipe was quite heavy, however as it was fairly small this wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. It was served with a blob of thick blackcurrant jam, as well as some blackcurrant compote, and an unusual teardrop shaped creation, somewhere in texture between jello and jelly. He said this part of the dish was just a little odd and didn’t really add to it. We noticed that the table next to us both left theirs, too. New York cheesecake with a mysterious jelly teardrop OverallThis is a great restaurant for a romantic evening, a fun group night, or a family meal, owing to its impressive dining room and informal yet still quite smart atmosphere, complete with white linen tablecloths. On the whole, we enjoyed our food, but think that a few vegetables wouldn’t go amiss on the main meals and stop them from looking quite so bare on the plates. I often wonder if ordering from a prix-fixe menu means that the quality of the food is slightly lower, as it is more likely to have been pre-plated and sat under a heat lamp before serving. However, as we didn’t compare it to anything that was only offered on the à la carte menu on this visit, this is just speculation. The service started off great, but our waiter seemed to get less attentive and more distracted as the night went on and the restaurant filled up (French people don’t seem to eat until 9PM or later). Customer service in Europe is always a bit hit and miss (one of the things we love about America is the service with a smile), so we weren’t hugely disappointed or surprised, and welcomed the chance to have a leisurely meal and take in the surroundings. Despite this restaurant being billed as a steakhouse, my chicken dish was actually the winner on this particular visit (winner winner chicken dinner!). My boyfriend had the legendary ostrich steak from the previous visit to beat, so I don’t think anything he chose was going to stand a chance. We’d certainly recommend this restaurant for an evening meal if you’re looking for something a little more upmarket than the Rainforest Café or Planet Hollywood. It certainly isn’t fine dining by any means, but we think it is one of the best, if not the best, table service restaurant in the Disney Village. Lottie Linter shares her Disney holidays at Grown Up Schmown Up. What’s your favorite restaurant at Disneyland Paris? Will you add The Steakhouse to your Disneyland Paris itinerary? Let us know 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: Walt’s, An American Restaurant, at Disneyland ParisGuest Review: Inventions Sunday Brunch Buffet in Disneyland ParisGuest Review: Street Food and Snacks at Disneyland Paris View the full article