Walt Disney World News
Epcot Menus Updated
With the most diverse (and delicious) array of restaurants at WDW, Epcot is the park I most look forward to dining at when planning my Walt Disney World vacation. Just thinking about getting Fish and Chips from Yorkshire County Fish Shop, a juicy pork chop from Sunshine Seasons, or the decadent Creme Brulee from Chefs de France makes me want to book a trip to Orlando immediately. Before I start looking up airfare, I should let you know that we've updated menus for over 35 Epcot restaurants, including Le Cellier, Via Napoli, and the brand new Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar. To learn more about dining at Epcot, check out the Epcot Menus page. Warning: Reading about all this delicious food may cause spontaneous WDW trip booking.
Stay tuned to Guide2WDW for more WDW restaurant menus and Disney World dining news and reviews.
Boyz II Men, Smash Mouth and others to rock Epcot at the 2012 Eat to the Beat Concert Series
Disney recently announced the lineup for this fall's Eat to the Beat Concert Series, which is put on as part of the 2012 Epcot International Wine and Food Festival. While Walt Disney World guests wine and dine on international cuisine at kiosks throughout Epcot's World Showcase, they are invited to enjoy performances by bands who have had hits over the last 40 years. With Hanson, Sugar Ray, Boyz II Men, and Smash Mouth set to perform, 90s music is well represented this year, and I have a very good chance of getting "Mmmbop" or "All Star" stuck in my head. These concerts are free with admission to Epcot, and perform daily from September 28 - November 11, 2012.
Check out the full 2012 Eat to the Beat Concert Series lineup.
Step into The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow this fall at Disney's Hollywood Studios
Earlier this week, Disney Parks Blog announced the long rumored replacement for the Prince Caspian exhibit at Hollywood Studios: The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow. Opening Fall 2012, this exhibit will take Disney World guests into the world of the four Pirates of the Caribbean films. But what makes this different than your run of the mill prop exhibit?
New Fantasyland rollout continues this July and Holiday 2012
After opening a small portion of Storybook Circus last month, the Magic Kingdom's largest expansion continues its debut this year with a few major attractions opening this year in two phases. The first phase will be in July when Storybook Circus will be completed with the opening of the second Dumbo spinner, and interactive Dumbo queue, and the Casey Jr. Splash 'N' Soak station. That's a lot more Dumbo for Walt Disney World guests.
The next phase of New Fantasyland finds attractions and restaurants based on The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast opening "in time for the Holidays 2012."
Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar opens at Epcot
Epcot's Italy pavilion got a major boost in the dining department when Tutto Italia reopened with a new addition: the Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar. Tutto Gusto offers a unique Disney World dining experience featuring over 200 wines, a variety of Italian small plates, and desserts all in a cozy and relaxing atmosphere. Tutto Italia and Tutto Gusto had a grand opening ceremony on May 1st which featured Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Erin Youngs, the Vice President of Epcot, as well as both Chef Joachim Splichal and Nick Valenti, the Founder and CEO of Patina Restaurant Group which run both restaurants.
Check out the full Tutto Gusto Menu.
May 2012: This Month at Disney World
The year seems to be going at a breakneck pace, as May is already here! May 2012 is a big month at Walt Disney World, as it brings the end of the Flower and Garden Festival, the beginning of Star Wars Weekends, and the opening of both a new Epcot wine bar and a new Walt Disney World resort. Our look at the month of May 2012 at Disney World will inform you of all the big events happening this month, crowd levels, and more. If you're visiting WDW in May, definitely check it out.
Redesigned Test Track to take guests into the world of digital design later this year.
At last week's "What's New, What's Next at Walt Disney World" presentation, Walt Disney Imagineering unveiled some of their plans for the upcoming revamp of the popular Epcot attraction, Test Track. The world of automotive design has migrated to the digital realm since Test Track debuted in 1999, which left the attraction feeling a bit old fashioned prior to its closing earlier this month. The reimagined Test Track presented by Chevrolet promises to take WDW guests into the world of digital automotive design, complete with interactive pre-show and post-show features.
For details, concept art, and video interviews with the Imagineers, continue reading about the changes coming to Test Track.
Video Preview: Disney World's Art of Animation Resort
We're a little over a month away from The Art of Animation, Walt Disney World's newest Value Resort, from opening. As we reported last month, Disney's Art of Animation's Finding Nemo wing, the first of four wings, will open on May 31st. This video gives a preview of the exteriors and interiors of this bright and colorful resort, as well as shares the thoughts of Pixar Supervising Animator Shawn Krause, who visited Disney World for a tour of the Art of Animation.
New Chef and Menu debut at Mama Merose's Ristorante Italiano
The resident Italian eatery at Disney's Hollywood Studios just got a culinary makeover. According to Disney Parks Blog, Chef Beatriz Candelario, most recently of the Cape May Cafe at the Beach Club Resort, has created a new menu for Mama Melrose's. Some of the additions include the seafood cioppino (pictured), hand rolled gnocchi, and pork Milanese. Disney has also announced that the Fantasmic! Dining Package is now available at Mama Melrose's.
Mama Melrose's has been a personal Disney World dining favorite at Hollywood Studios for the Guide2WDW staff. These new additions all look delicious and add some new life into the menu.
For a complete look at the new offerings, check out the full Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano menu, updated today.
Starbucks coming to Walt Disney World
Great news! Soon you'll be able to get your "venti, non-fat, iced caramel macchiatio, no whip" while inside the parks! The long-rumored arrival of Starbucks to Disney World is coming true. Disney Parks Blog announced this morning that the first of six locations will open this June on Buena Vista Street at the soon-to-be rebooted Disney California Adventure. The Starbucks will be located inside the Fiddler, Fifer and Practical Cafe. While Starbucks doesn't exactly scream out Buena Vista Street's 1920s Los Angeles theme, DPB reports that "the store's location plays off the Spanish/Mexican architecture of the period, and baristas will wear 1920s-inspired attire."
What about the details for Starbucks at Disney World?
