About Gideon’s Bakehouse

Multi-award-winning Orlando area business Gideon’s Bakehouse will be opening its long-anticipated second location in Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Gideon’s original location opened in late 2016 at Orlando’s East End Market with one employee and an $800 budget. The Bakehouse quickly gained international recognition for its almost ½-pound, small-batch handmade cookies. Word quickly spread, and lines up to 80 minutes long became a regular sight – with locals and visitors alike all hoping to get their hands on their favorite flavor before Gideon’s sold out.

Anticipating to open later this year, Gideon’s Bakehouse plans to bring an expanded menu of its cookie and cake slices to The Landing at Disney Springs. Taking advantage of this larger space, Gideon’s will add its own line of unique iced coffees, like the Original Peanut Butter Iced Coffee, built to pair flawlessly with their desserts.

Guests can expect to see all of their favorite cookie flavors, plus new limited editions available exclusively during timed daily releases. Guests will be able to enjoy the ever-popular Coffee Cake Cookie (previously only available one month a year) every morning at Gideon’s in Disney Springs. For those looking for something extra special after dinner, Gideon’s is introducing a Hot Cookie Hour each evening.

“We’re also excited to bring more cake flavors to our new location, offering never-before-seen creations like our special line of Double Frosted Cakes,” said Lewis. “There are more than a few secrets we have up our sleeves, but you’ll have to wait and see. It’s not Gideon’s if it isn’t a little dark and mysterious.”

Gideon’s is also known for its uncommon visual presentation. Their original location takes inspiration from artists like Edward Gorey while paying tribute to a similarly eerie fan-favorite attraction at Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park. Its flagship location will look to build on that experience. Not only can guests expect a whimsical Victorian design to the new shop, but they can also look forward to collectible art becoming a part of their product packaging. “We aim to make the wait in line entertaining by immersing everyone in a transformative environment that will share our story as they progress towards the counter. Experience is everything to us, so memorable sweets and whimsical atmosphere exist hand in hand. This opportunity is truly a dream come true and will allow us to flex all of our creative muscles in both desserts and decor. We’re passionate, inspired, and ready,” said Lewis.

If your mouth is watering as much as mine is right now, take a look at the menu from their original bakery to get you even more excited for what’s to come.

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The show is a result of years of research and extraordinary collaboration that included extensive visits to Disney theme parks, Walt Disney Archives, Walt Disney Imagineering, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, The Walt Disney Family Museum, as well as hands-on work between Disney animators and Cirque du Soleil. In fact, the Cirque du Soleil teams collaborated extensively with legacy animators to create the show.

”In creating this show, we’ve brought to life an extraordinary new entertainment experience for the whole family,” said Josh, D’Amaro, president, Walt Disney World Resort, “It blends all the heart, humor and joy of Disney storytelling with new acrobatic performances and effects never before seen in a Cirque du Soleil production.”

This new show follows the story of Julie, a courageous and determined girl who discovers an unexpected gift left by her late father: an unfinished animation piece. Guided by a surprising pencil, she embarks on an inspiring quest sprinkled with her Disney childhood memories. Through this journey, she learns to imagine new possibilities and animate the story of her future.

Drawn to Life will transport guests of all ages into the world of Disney animation in Cirque du Soleil’s signature style. This entirely new experience will wow Walt Disney World guests and Cirque du Soleil fans, while bringing timeless Disney stories to life in an unforgettable new way.

‘’It has been a fantastic collaboration between Cirque du Soleil, Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering. We had the chance to work with some of the animators that have worked on iconic Disney movies. You’ll get to meet some of your favourite characters, but maybe in a very different way,’’ says Fabrice Becker, Creation Director.

With an international cast of more than 65 artists, the Cirque du Soleil theater located in Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort, will welcome up to 1,580 spectators for each show, five days a week.

I am so excited about this show! I’m thinking about asking for tickets for my birthday. I’ve seen 2 other Cirque du Soleil shows, AXEL and VOLTA and my son saw La Nouba at Disney Springs many years ago. Combining Disney animation with Cirque du Soleil seems like a magical combination to me.

We can add show tickets and dinner reservations at one of the amazing Disney Spring Restaurants to your Walt Disney World vacation package to enjoy an amazing night of Disney entertainment outside of the theme parks. Just Email me to start planning!

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About Terralina Crafted Italian

“We are excited to bring an authentic Italian dining experience to Disney Springs and we look forward to sharing a piece of the Italian culture to vacationers and Florida locals,” said Andy Lansing, President and CEO of Levy Restaurants. “Terralina Crafted Italian is a classic example of our commitment at Levy Restaurants to deliver authentic food, genuine hospitality, but most importantly a memorable guest experience.”

As part of its transformation, Terralina Crafted Italian’s newly installed veranda overlooking Riverboat Square will allow guests to savor authentic Italian food and wines al fresco, all while taking in sweeping waterfront views. The veranda will also feature a full-service bar where guests can order handcrafted apertivos like the classic Negroni, share a refreshing pitcher of Crafted Lemonade made with lavender rosemary vodka, homemade orange blossom lemonade and celery bitters or select a bottle or glass of wine from our global and Italian wine list.

“Italy’s Lake District is one of my favorite places to vacation, specifically the Lake Como region,” said Chef Tony Mantuano. “In Lake Como, you can take a boat from town to town and experience all the region has to offer. At Terralina Crafted Italian, the spirit of Lake Como is found throughout the restaurant from handmade pastas and fresh seafood to a wide variety of Italian and grape sparkling wines.”

Once guests step into the restaurant, they’ll be welcomed by the aroma of freshly picked herbs being prepared in the centrally located kitchen. Guests can gather round the bar or watch from their nearby tables as chefs fire up classic pizzas like Margherita and Funghi in the wood-burning oven and grill fresh vegetables and seafood dishes like the Swordfish Peperonatta. To bring all eyes to them, guests can order Terralina Crafted Italian’s Antipasti Tower. The tower takes a traditional first course vertical with a bountiful display of cured meats, artisanal cheeses and housemade pickled vegetables along with the new addition of housemade pecorino truffle potato chips.

Mom Maven’s Thoughts

We enjoyed the event. It was cocktail party style with food stations scattered throughout. We spent a lot of time at the Antipasti stations savoring the cured meats, Caprese salad and the to-die-for pecorino truffle potato chips. I also enjoyed the grilled brick chicken and the handmade pasta with pork ragu. The atmosphere inside is rustic Italian, very comfortable yet upscale. Terralina Crafted Italian is open for lunch and dinner, advanced dining reservations (ADRs) are encouraged, you can check out the complete menu here. I’d like to go back and visit sometime when we can order off the menu and really see what the entrees are like.

As always, I’m happy to make all your ADRs for you when you book your Walt Disney World Vacation with me. Just Email Me to get started.

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On Wednesday, April 25 at 7 p.m. Paddlefish will host a four-course wine pairing dinner featuring lobster and wines from all around the world.

• Guests will be greeted with mini Maine lobster rolls and Negroamaro Rosé from Italy.
• The first course will feature lobster and chourico stuffed shrimp with a blood orange hollandaise paired with a Groth Napa Valley sauvignon blanc.
• The second course will be a lobster and sweet corn chowder paired with an August Kessler German Riesling.
• The main course is scallop & cornbread stuffed lobster, cider-based veal cheeks and turnip puree served with a Tempranillo Triton Rioja from Spain.
• And for dessert guests will be served a strawberry and rhubarb bread pudding paired with a Hidalgo Pedro Ximenez Sherry.

Scallop & cornbread stuffed lobster, cider-based veal cheeks and turnip puree main course.

For only $90 per person, attendees can enjoy all of Chef Richard’s unique creations while enjoying the beautiful sunset views of Disney Springs and Lake Buena Vista. Guests must be 21+ to attend. Tickets are available here.

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We arrived at Disney Springs Guest Services at 3:30pm and were told there would be up to a 50 minute wait to renew our passes. The cast member actually told us that as passholders we should have known it would be busy on the weekend! I said well, we worked Monday-Saturday and this was the only time we could come. Thankfully, the wait was only 30 minutes and we were helped by a wonderful Cast Member who processed everything quickly and efficiently. we made it to the restaurant right on time.

Chef Art Smith’s Homecoming is quaint and smaller than I thought it would be. It does have a large screened in porch for those who would like to eat outside. WE chose to eat inside as it is still too warm for Floridians to dine outside. We spent time looking over the unique menu choices. I chose the Fried Chicken & Doughnuts while Ron chose the Chopped Barbecue Platter, we each got a soda to drink. While we waited for our food we chatted and enjoyed the 80’s music playing over the restaurant speakers.

There wasn’t a very long wait before our food appeared. Oh My! It looked amazing!. I had to try the mashed potatoes and white gravy first, they were heavenly! The absolute best mashed potatoes I have ever had. The fried chicken was flavorful and moist with just the right amount of spice in the batter. The cinnamon sugar doughnut holes were a fun, sweet addition to the meal and when you dipped them in the house made maple syrup, they were even better!

Ron’s plate came piled with chopped pork, chow-chow slaw and baked mac ‘n cheese. The pork had just a little barbecue sauce on it. There was a side of warm barbecue sauce that came with the meal so that you can use as much or as little as you like. The mac ‘n cheese was tasty as well. Neither of us could finish our meal and we did bring home some leftovers.

At Chef Art Smith’s Homecoming, entrees cost between $15-39.99 each. There is a full menu and a full bar. you can read the menu here. Everything was do delicious I even dreamed about it Sunday night and I haven’t stopped telling people about it all week. We highly recommend this restaurant and it is one table service credit on the Disney Dining Plan. If you are thinking about planning your trip to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Aulani, the Disney Cruise Line or Adventures by Disney, please Email Me so we can start planning your next magical vacation.

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An incredible lineup of new attractions and experiences open to guests starting this Memorial Day Weekend and kickoff summer vacation season with new magic across all four Walt Disney World theme parks, Disney Springs and beyond.

What’s New at Walt Disney World

The fun heats up starting May 27 when new nighttime experiences awaken at Disney’s Animal Kingdom with stunning animation on the Tree of Life, new after dark adventures on favorite attractions such as Kilimanjaro Safaris, Expedition Everest, Kali River Rapids and more, as well as festive new nighttime entertainment across the park.

A day later on May 28, Disney’s hit live-action film The Jungle Book provides inspiration for a new nighttime show, The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic, that comes to life on Discovery River.

And starting June 17, guests can experience the enhanced Soarin’ Around the World attraction at Epcot; the star-studded new stage show “Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire” at Magic Kingdom Park; and the new “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular” fireworks show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Starting June 21, the all-new Frozen Ever After attraction and Royal Sommerhus, where Anna and Elsa will greet guests in authentically Norwegian-inspired settings, opens to guests at Epcot.

More Magic, More Memories, More Fun

Across its four theme parks, multiple resort hotels and diverse shopping and dining offerings, guests will find unforgettable experiences to share with family and friends at Walt Disney World Resort, making every moment as magical as it can be.

photo courtesy of Disney

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

For the first time in its 18-year history, Disney’s Animal Kingdom will debut new day-into-nighttime experiences that celebrate the magic of nature, starting May 27.

The park’s iconic Tree of Life will awaken each night amid a lively celebration of Discovery Island music and dance. Through stunning visuals, animal spirits appear and enchanted fireflies reveal stories of wonder as the tree morphs to showcase the magic of nature.
Kilimanjaro Safaris transitions to a new nighttime adventure in the extended orange glow of a setting sun. For the first time, hyenas and African wild dogs join the safari trail creature feature.

Discovery River becomes the stage for music and pageantry in a limited-engagement show inspired by Disney’s hit live-action film The Jungle Book. Premiering May 28, The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic is a live show filled with music and special effects that celebrates the new film and the classic songs, now infused with an Indian influence.
Hungry adventurers can have lunch or dinner at the new Tiffins signature restaurant on Discovery Island beginning May27. Guests seated in the restaurant’s travel-themed dining rooms or on the waterfront patio can sip libations and savor dishes featuring African, Asian and South American flavors.

Across the park, guests can experience wondrous new nighttime experiences and entertainment celebrating marvels in nature and enjoy long-time favorites such as Expedition Everest, DINOSAUR, Kali River Rapids and more – in a whole new light.

photo courtesy of Disney

Epcot

Anna, Elsa and other beloved characters from the blockbuster film, “Frozen,” will give the summer season a warm hug at Epcot beginning June 21. Meanwhile “Turtle Talk with Crush” makes fun waves and Soarin’ Around the World takes guests to new heights starting June 17.

Anna, Elsa and their “Frozen” friends will welcome guests aboard the new Frozen Ever After boat ride that sails into a “Frozen” world at the Norway Pavilion starting June 21. Passengers on their way to Arendelle’s Winter in Summer Celebration for Queen Elsa visit the ice palace and hear beloved film tunes plus new lyrics by Oscar-winning “Let It Go” songwriters Bobby Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez. Also at the Norway Pavilion, Anna and Elsa will greet guests in the new Royal Sommerhus, modeled after a traditional Norwegian cabin.

In Future World, guests will celebrate the U.S. debut of the expanded Soarin’ Around the World attraction at The Land Pavilion on June 17. Now with a third Epcot theater, plus new digital screens and projection systems, the enhanced attraction takes guests on an exhilarating “flight” above spectacular global landscapes and man-made wonders.
Guests can now find new additions at “Turtle Talk with Crush” with characters from Disney•Pixar’s “Finding Dory”. When Crush the sea turtle swims up to the “Human Tank” at Epcot, he’ll be joined by Dory and some of her new friends that guests will get to know better when “Finding Dory” swims into theaters on June 17, 2016.

photo courtesy of Disney

Magic Kingdom

Classic Disney characters will join contemporary animated film stars beginning June 17 in a new extravaganza on the grand Cinderella Castle stage, and Magic Kingdom guests can experience a new dining adventure.

For the first time, Tiana of “Princess and the Frog,” and Rapunzel of “Tangled,” co-star with Anna and Elsa of “Frozen,” and a host of favorite Disney characters in the new Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire. Performed on the grandest stage in the kingdom, the star-studded tale of friendship presents Mickey Mouse and his troupe of Merry Makers – Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck and Goofy – who invite 10 new friends from different animated worlds to join the celebration. This “timeless fairytale” of a show combines grand dance, fireworks and stunts with memorable music, an original song and special effects.

Disney Parks will welcome Elena of Avalor, Disney’s first princess inspired by diverse Latin cultures. Elena of Avalor will appear at Walt Disney World Resort later this summer and at Disneyland Resort in the fall, following her television debut in a new animated series this summer on Disney Channel.
Next door to the legendary Jungle Cruise, guests can enjoy the bold flavors of “World Famous Jungle Cuisine” served by the wisecracking crew of the new Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen. It’s the first Disney full-service restaurant themed after a specific park attraction.

photo courtesy of Disney

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

In the galactic wake of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, new Star-Wars-themed experiences shift into light speed.

The next generation of Star Wars-themed fireworks shows, “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular,” will premiere June 17 with new themed fireworks, lasers, special effects and video projections of iconic characters and scenes from the complete saga, all set to the unforgettable score of the film series.
The live stage show “Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away” debuted April 4, celebrating iconic moments from the Star Wars saga with live vignettes featuring popular characters such as BB-8, Kylo Ren, Chewbacca, Darth Vader, and Darth Maul. First Order Stormtroopers led by Captain Phasma march from Star Wars Launch Bay to the park’s Center Stage, adding menace to the entertainment. Star Wars Launch Bay showcases large-scale artifacts and encounters with characters including Kylo Ren. The re-imagined Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple experience also features new characters. And at Star Tours – The Adventures Continue, guests buckle up for an enhanced high-speed journey with new Star Wars: The Force Awakens characters and a visit to Jakku.

Also at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, two new character meet and greet areas opened up recently. Minnie Mouse greets guests inside a specially themed area at Disney’s Hollywood Studios called “Mickey and Minnie Starring in Red Carpet Dreams.” Minnie appears as a Tinsel Town starlet in a ritzy setting straight out of a colorful musical extravaganza. Here, guests can get Minnie’s autograph, snap their own photos with her, and a Disney PhotoPass photographer is on hand to capture all of the special moments. Olaf, the lovable snowman from “Frozen” greets guests inside a specially themed area at Disney’s Hollywood Studios called “Celebrity Spotlight.” Olaf appears in a beach scene living his dream “In Summer,” ready to give warm hugs to all his new friends.

photo courtesy of Disney

Disney Springs and Water Parks Make a Splash

Inspired by Florida’s waterfront towns and natural beauty, Disney Springs is a charming district filled with unique retailers and restaurants from award-winning chefs. Throughout the summer, new stores and restaurants will open as Disney Springs more than doubles the number of retail, dining and other venues for guests.

As Disney Springs continues to expand and diversify its dining, shopping and entertainment, more exciting high-profile tenants are coming onboard, including Anthropologie, Under Armour, kate spade new york, Sephora and Lucky Brand, among others. Other new shops opening in 2016 include Zara, Tommy Bahama, Lilly Pulitzer, UNIQLO and PANDORA. More than 30 new tenants will be coming to Disney Springs this summer, including retail shops and dining venues.
Home to world-class dining, Disney Springs is shaping up to be a culinary dream. With its chic style and Pan-Asian flavors, Morimoto Asia offers just a taste of what’s to come as more new eateries are gearing up to open in the coming year, including Tablas Frontera by Chef Rick Bayless; Homecoming – Florida Kitchen and Shine Bar by Chef Art Smith; STK Orlando, a modern steakhouse with the ambience of a sleek lounge; Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza, a modern-day “pizza joint” with artisanal pies; and the reimagined, Planet Hollywood Observatory with new outdoor terrace and live entertainment. Celebrity Chef Rick Bayless and Chef Art Smith join master Chef Masaharu Morimoto in a growing collection of James Beard Award winning chefs at Disney Springs.
At Cirque du Soleil’s “La Nouba,” the new B-Boys hip-hop, breakdancing threesome showcases a rare mix of rhythm, strength and “how-did-they-do-that?” moves. As part of the show’s ongoing evolution, the masterful Aerial Bamboo act joins recent additions of madcap clowns and a breathtaking rolla bolla juggling act.
Meanwhile, Disney’s Water Parks ramp up with playful spirits and summer fun faster than Olaf can beg for warm hugs.

At Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park, Olaf from Disney’s animated hit “Frozen,” will be living his “In Summer” dream as he and Kristoff host The “Frozen Games” of friendly, fun competitions that begin May 27 and run through Aug. 21.

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park castaways can splash down on a sandy summer beach with a cold ale and savory snack after a wild slide on Crush ‘n’ Gusher water coaster.
Disney guests will have a magical summer experience wherever they play, dine, relax or celebrate at Walt Disney World theme parks, entertainment venues and resort hotels. For more information about Walt Disney World Resort, Email Me!

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