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Everything posted by Disney4me
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Today is the first day of Halloween Time here at the Disneyland Resort. Pumpkins are everywhere and guest favorite, Haunted Mansion Holiday, is opening. Did you know that the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland park was one of Walt Disney’s ideas for the park even before it was built? Here we are, 45 years after its August 9, 1969, opening and it is still haunting guests each day. In celebration of the attraction’s anniversary and the opening of Haunted Mansion Holiday today, we thought this was the perfect time to dig up historical footage of the Haunted Mansion from our archives. You’ll see Walt Disney showing off a model of the Haunted Mansion and interviews with the Imagineers who turned his idea into a reality. You’ll also find out why the mansion is so pristine on the outside, while dilapidated and creepy on the inside. It’s a fun video – a scream, really. Enjoy! Haunted Mansion at Disneyland Park: An Idea that Couldn’t be Laid to Rest by Valarie Sukovaty: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article
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When Walt Disney promised that Disneyland would never be completed, so long as there is imagination left in the world, he made a promise to our guests that we take seriously at all our locations around the world. This year, one particular product of imagination — Disney Animation’s blockbuster hit “Frozen” — captured the hearts and minds of people around the world and gave us a new opportunity to make good on Walt’s pledge. We’ve made “Frozen” a part of the guest experience in a number of ways already and our guests have both loved them and asked for more. So I’m pleased to say that we’re starting construction at Walt Disney World Resort on a brand new “Frozen” attraction at the Norway Pavilion in Epcot. The new attraction, which replaces Maelstrom, will take our guests to Arendelle and immerse them in many of their favorite moments and music from the film. The pavilion will also include a royal greeting location where Anna and Elsa can meet our guests. We think these “Frozen” elements are great complements to the Norway Pavilion, which showcases the country and region that inspired the film. “Frozen’s” popular characters will also have a bigger presence at Magic Kingdom Park this holiday season. In addition to the ongoing character appearances, 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.†We’re extending some favorite elements of Frozen Summer Fun LIVE!, too, so that guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios can continue singing along to “Frozen” songs with Queen Elsa and Princess Anna. Wandering Oaken’s will set up shop closer to the show through the holiday season and will feature a larger play area with real snow (in Florida!). From the moment we screened the film several months before its release, we were inspired by the possibility of bringing this great story to life for our guests. Frozen Summer Fun LIVE! has been extremely popular, and now we’re looking forward to doing even more to allow our guests to experience the “Frozen” phenomenon. ‘Frozen’ Attraction Coming to Epcot by Tom Staggs: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article
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Have you visited Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort lately? The resort just opened a brand-new children’s activity center called Club Disney, which is a great place for little ones to play while their parents catch some alone time. The look of the “club†was inspired by classic Disney Little Golden Books tales like “Pinocchio,†“Lady and the Tramp†and “Alice in Wonderland.†Here, kids ages 3-12 can play dress up, create crafts, play games, engage in storytelling activities, enjoy movie nights and more with our children’s activity coordinators. Here’s a peek inside: To book, call: 407-WDW-DINE. Club Disney at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Offers Fun for Little Ones by Jennifer Fickley-Baker: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article
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The last stop on our 7-night Southern Caribbean cruises is Basseterre on St. Kitts, a small, volcanic island in the West Indies. White-sand beaches, sapphire waters and a vibrant green rainforest are the perfect backdrop for adventures your family will enjoy here. Check out some of my favorites… St. Kitts Scenic Railway and Sail Cruise – If scenic views are what you’re after, this is definitely the tour for you. It starts with an hour-and-a-half catamaran voyage along the island’s southwestern coastline where you’ll enjoy views of small fishing villages, sugar plantations and historical sites, including the first British settlement at Old Road and the Brimstone Hill Fortress, the British “Gibraltar of the West Indies.†The second half of the tour is a two-hour railway ride along the Atlantic north side of the island with sweeping views of sandy beaches and pounding surf. Be prepared to take a ton of photos! Rainforest Hike – Those of you who want to get your blood flowing with an active adventure will want to join the this two-hour nature hike in St. Kitts’ breathtaking rainforest. Before your hike, you’ll also enjoy a visit to the picturesque Romney Gardens at Wingfield Estate, along with a photo stop at Carib Rock Drawings, a volcanic rock with inscriptions from the first inhabitants of the island. Your transportation for this adventure is an open-air safari vehicle, perfect for checking out the coastal views, picturesque valleys, sugar cane fields and lush green mountains. 4×4 Island Safari And Beach – This adventure also takes you into the rainforest on a safari vehicle to explore the flora and fauna and possibly even see green monkeys. Your destination is a private, mountaintop property, 1,000 feet above sea level, where you’ll enjoy panoramic views over the island’s rainforest, coastline, the capital city of Basseterre and the sister island of Nevis. The journey continues to the opposite side of the island, past quaint villages, farmers’ gardens and the windswept Atlantic coastline to your final destination – a beautiful beach for swimming, relaxing on the golden sand and savoring your last moments ashore in the Southern Caribbean. I hope you’ve enjoyed this series. If you’re joining us on our brand-new adventure from San Juan this fall, let me know in the comments what you’re looking forward to most. As I always say, when the ship’s in port, venture ashore! For more about the available Port Adventures during the 7-night Southern Caribbean cruises, visit the posts below: Enjoying Barbados with Disney Cruise LineA Taste of Grenada with Disney Cruise LineAdventures in St. Lucia with Disney Cruise LineVisiting Antigua with Disney Cruise LineExploring San Juan and the Southern Caribbean with Disney Cruise LineExperiencing St. Kitts with Disney Cruise Line by Arnaldo Zanonato: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article
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This Friday marks the official start of Halloween Time at The Disneyland Resort. I was so excited when I saw this guy on Main Street, USA! The Most Wonderful Time of the Year! Anyhow, as I strolled along, I decided to pop into the Jolly Holiday Bakery. Jolly Holiday Bakery & Cafe I recently tried several of the new items there and didn’t really expect to find anything in addition to them. But guess what — the Pumpkin Muffin is back early! Even though I was on my way to a big lunch, I had to try one. Pumpkin Muffins in the Bakery Case The muffins are enormous. And for $2.99, I think they’re fairly priced. You’re basically getting a cupcake without paying the $5-$6 bucks they usually cost! Pumpkin Muffin The top of the muffin is sprinkled with a cinnamon crumble and has a nice crunch to it. Adorned with a dollop of cream cheese frosting and orange colored sugar sprinkles, I think this muffin is just about perfect. Cream Cheese Frosting; Ready for its Close Up The center of the muffin is very moist. I often find Disneyland muffins to be dry. In fact I rarely even purchase them. I don’t know if I caught this one on a good day or if it’s the recipe, but it was really more cake-like than muffin-like. Especially with the delicious cream cheese frosting. Upon cutting into it I noticed that the frosting did dip into the center a bit but it was definitely not “filled.” Pumpkin Muffin Cross Section Not only was the muffin moist but it was also very flavorful. The pumpkin stood out as a natural flavor and it had plump golden raisins that added some sweetness to the mix! I was actually surprised by how large some of the raisins were. Normally I’m not a huge raisin fan, but I do like golden raisins. Look at the Size of That Thing! OverallOverall, I’m a sucker for anything pumpkin. Halloween Time at Disneyland is my most favorite time of the year! I loved this muffin and I can’t wait to see what other pumpkin treats Disneyland has in store for us this year. Stay tuned, because I’m making it my personal mission to keep you updated on all things pumpkin at the Disneyland Resort! And don’t worry, if you’re not a pumpkin fan, I’ll keep you posted on the “other” Halloween treats as well… What Halloween and Fall treats are you looking forward to at the Disney Parks? Let us know in the comments below! Heather Sievers is the Disney Food Blog’s Dining in Disneyland columnist. See more of her columns here! 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: Dining in Disneyland: Thanksgiving TreatsDining in Disneyland: Pumpkin Beignets vs. Pumpkin FrittersDining in Disneyland: Pumpkin Treats Crawl View the full article
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From helping with the initial course design to ensuring every last race day detail is in place, runDisney event manager Shannon Abeyta and her team work year-round to ensure “every mile is magic†during Disneyland Resort race weekends. See how Shannon’s work came to fruition during the 9th annual Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend in this episode of “Every Role a Starring Roleâ€! For more from the “Every Role a Starring Role” series, check out the posts below: Every Role a Starring Role — Disney University Traditions AssistantEvery Role a Starring Role – Celebrating 50 Episodes at Disneyland Resort!Every Role a Starring Role – Disneyland Resort Monorail PilotEvery Role a Starring Role – runDisney Event Manager by Melanie Vogel: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article