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Monthly Archives: July 2010
How Disney Saved Broadway.
Ever wonder how Disney musicals play with the New York City theater (excuse me, theatre) crowd? David Ozanich of The Awl has a clever piece on how Disney’s policy of finding the best and the brightest creative minds is saving Broadway. Says Ozanich,
. . . I mostly respect Disney for hiring playwrights like Doug Wright (who won the Pulitzer for I Am My Own Wife), David Henry Hwang (who penned M. Butterflywhich alone is important for introducing the world to BD Wong), and even screenwriter Julian Fellowes (Gosford Park) to write the books for The Little Mermaid, Tarzan, and Mary Poppins respectively. As one who has written a play, and one that was even mildly successful, I made about 24 cents on both the New York and London productions combined. The fees that the above three make for every performance of these Disney shows no doubt fund their other, perhaps more high-brow, attempts at theater-making. These are not the actions of an outfit that cares only about bringing in bucks on the backs of tourists with kids.
You can read the rest of the article here. Warning, some of the language is off-color and may offend some people, but the article is also a well-written, funny look at how non-Disney fans see Disney. There’s also a hint of things to come. The Hunchback of Notre Dame on stage? Yes. Yes, please.
NEW! Aulani Disney’s Resort & Spa Construction Photos
Our good friend Mike from TimeStream Software, the developer of the “Walt Disney World Guide” Notescast was recently in Hawaii. Through a series of unanticipated events, he ended up staying at a resort in Ko Olina…right next door to the new Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa. He took these pictures and thought our viewers would be interested in seeing the progress of the resort. These pictures are from earlier this week so you can see how nicely Aulani is coming along.
Some facts about the Aulani – A Disney Resort & Spa. It will have 359 hotel rooms, 481 time-share units, restaurants, a convention center, a 15,000 square-foot spa and a massive water play area overlooking the lagoon, which will feature a volcano tube slide and snorkel lagoon.
It’s located on 21 acres on Oahu’s Leeward coast in the Ko Olina development, located about 1/2 hour from Honolulu. It’s currently scheduled to open August 29, 2010, with hotel reservations to begin next month.
Time-share sales started three weeks ago. FYI, Disney has a couple reps located on the beach side of the construction site right now answering questions for anyone who stops by.
Click here if you would like to see more images.
Thanks Mike for the pictures! I can wait to see more pictures and video as we get closer to the opening date.
Oh and if anyone from Disney would like to send me out to Hawaii to cover the opening just email me at chip@chipandco.com my schedule is WIDE open 
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Magic Kingdom Eats: From Quick Bites to Lunch with a Princess
Magic Kingdom is best known for its classic attractions and favorite Disney characters, but the park also has its share of great family meals.
Leisurely Fare
- Cinderella’s Royal Table. One of the most coveted dining reservations is for breakfast or lunch with the Disney princesses at this enchanting restaurant in Cinderella Castle. (Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother greets dinner guests.) The majestic dining room is a magical experience for little ones, with leaded windows, coats of arms and medieval flags – and a visit to each table by Disney “royalty.” The signature dish is Major Domo’s Favorite Pie, with shredded beef simmered in cabernet sauce with mashed potatoes and topped with pastry. For little ones, there’s a minor Domo version of the popular entrée.
- Liberty Tree Tavern. In Liberty Square opposite the riverboat landing, Liberty Tree Tavern offers all-American fare. For lunch, pot roast in cabernet sauce, roast turkey with herb dressing, or a favorite cheeseburger. Dinner is all-you-care-to-eat roast turkey, carved beef, pork loin, herb stuffing, macaroni and cheese and mashed potatoes. The restaurant is a re-creation of an 18th century American inn, with six small dining rooms with Colonial artifacts.
- Crystal Palace. Winnie the Pooh and his pals are the stars at this venerable Magic Kingdom restaurant inspired by San Francisco’s Conservatory of Flowers. A generous buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner includes favorites such as prime rib, salmon, clam chowder, dozens of salads and sweets. Little ones get their own buffet with chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter and jelly and pizza.
- Plaza Restaurant. Tucked on the side street on Main Street, U.S.A., around the corner from the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor, this eatery is a respite from the hustle and bustle of Magic Kingdom – no Disney characters, no entertainment, just a quiet, Art Nouveau-inspired spot. The grilled reuben is a longtime favorite, as well as the chicken strawberry salad. But the biggest sellers are sundaes, floats and hand-dipped milkshakes.
- Tony’s Town Square. Inspired by the Disney classic “Lady and the Tramp,” Tony’s features spaghetti, chicken Parmesan, flatbreads and other Italian specialties. The best seats are on the airy patio with a view of Town Square.
For a Fast Bite
- Land to Land in Magic Kingdom, quick-service has a variety of great tastes to please every guest. On Main Street, U.S.A., Casey’s Corner is the spot for giant hot dogs and corn dog nuggets and fries, with tables on the sidewalk where a pianist entertains with old-fashioned tunes. In Adventureland, El Pirata Y El Perico (the Pirate and the Parrot) offers beef and vegetarian tacos and taco salad. Nearby in Frontierland, Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café serves burgers (including vegetarian), a chicken wrap and chicken salad – with a terrific toppings bar.
- Next is Liberty Square, where Columbia Harbour House is the only place in Magic Kingdom for fried fish, but you also can get tuna on a toasted multigrain bun and a hummus sandwich with tomato and broccoli slaw with a side of vegetarian chili or New England clam chowder. In Fantasyland, Pinocchio Village Haus is a kid favorite with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, macaroni and cheese and salads for mom and dad.
- In Tomorrowland, Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe is a great spot for picky eaters, with three counters: one with rotisserie chicken, barbecued ribs and salad; one with burgers and hot dogs; one with Caesar salads, wraps and barbecue sandwiches. Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station has an Asian flair with noodle bowls, beef and broccoli with steamed rice and sushi.
- Throughout the park there are walk-up windows for everything from the legendary Dole Whip at Aloha Isle in Adventureland to ice cream at Mrs. Potts’ Cupboard in Fantasyland and funnel cakes at Sleepy Hollow in Liberty Square.
Wine Tasting Event at Disneyland’s Downtown Disney District on August 12th
Enjoy an evening of fine cuisine, wine and spirits while experiencing the unique ambience and flair of the Downtown Disney District — all for a great cause!
The Event
Enjoy a champagne reception, delectable appetizers, live music, olive oil tastings and select wine, spirit and beer pairings at the following Downtown Disney District establishments:
- Catal Restaurant and Uva Bar
- ESPN Zone
- House of Blues Restaurant
- La Brea Bakery Café
- Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria
- Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen
- Tortilla Jo’s
For a grand finish, the evening concludes with decadent desserts and coffee.
Time and Price
Date and Time: Thursday, August 12, 2010 at 6:00 p.m.
Ticket Price: $50 per person
Tickets
Purchase tickets online or call Aly Hudspeth at (714) 532-7516. Guests under age 18 must have parent or guardian permission to call. Event subject to change.
Epcot’s Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria is days away from opening – with video
Via Napoli opens on August 5, 2010 for dinner service. Reservations will be taken starting August 6. Take a culinary tour of southern Italy, crafted by famed restaurateur Nick Valenti. Enjoy authentic pastas, salads, gelato and Neapolitan, wood-fired pizza. Via Napoli, the newest restaurant to join the Epcot Italy Pavilion, is open for lunch and dinner.
Menu
Start with a traditional appetizer, including Sicilian eggplant with olives and raisins, fagiolini bean salad, fried saffron risotto balls and corn-crusted fried calamari.
You’ll want to sample all of the classical Neapolitan pizzas, ranging from pizza bianca, quattro stagioni, piccante and ortolano to an unforgettable margherita. Delicious main courses include pastas, spinach lasagna, parmigiana dishes and chopped calamari, chicken and steak salads.
For dessert, treat yourself to gelato, tiramisù, zeppole di ricotta and apple cake with almond sorbet.
Authentic Neapolitan Pizzas
The delicious pizzas are made with real caputo flour imported from Southern Italy, San Marzano tomatoes, handmade mozzarella and water from a local spring similar to Italy’s Campania region. They are cooked in authentic wood-burning ovens named after the 3 active volcanoes in Italy—Mount Etna, Mount Vesuvius and Stromboli.
To ensure every detail is perfect, Nick Valenti spent time in Naples studying the art of dough, crust, sauce and oven temperatures at the famous pizzerias Da Michele and Trianon.
Check out these videos from our friend Leff Lange. For pictures be sure to visit Jeff over at Mousesteps.
Patina Restaurant Group
Via Napoli was created by the renowned Patina Restaurant Group, which also operates the popular Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria at the Disneyland Resort and the Naples 45 Ristorante e Pizzeria in New York City, which was awarded the coveted La Vera Pizza Napoletana certification.
Photo credit Jeff Lange