Disney Food Blog Guidebook
Click here to plan your Disney Dining with ease.Tour the Parks
Buy from Garden Grocer
Get the scoop on Disney Food
Our web guys
Category Archives: Exhibits
Get First Taste of New Wine Exclusively for 2011 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival
If you like being a trendsetter, make one of your first stops at the Epcot Food & Wine Festival at the Enoteca Castello wine shop in the Italy Pavilion, where they’ll be pouring ($6 a glass) two new exclusive wines for Disney Parks. You also can purchase there by the bottle ($16.95), or at the wine shop in the Festival Welcome Center.
 |
 |
The label is Sogno d’Italia, which translates as “Dream of Italy,” made by Placido in Tuscany and imported by Banfi Vintners.. The light, crisp Pinot Grigio reminds us of pears and flowers. If you prefer a red, sip the drinkable Chianti, with a note of cherries and plums and a hint of spice.
“When we dream of Italy, we dream not only of its noble traditions, but of its appealingly easygoing lifestyle,” said winemaker Paolo Benassi. “These wines embody both of those ideals.” The festival opens Sept. 30 and runs through Nov. 13. If you can’t join us, the wines will still be sold at the Italy shop post-fest. And eventually they’ll be added to wine lists at select Disney restaurants.
Get First Taste of New Wine Exclusively for Disney Parks at This Year’s Epcot International Food & Wine Festival by Pam Brandon: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog
Related articles
- Reservations Open Today for Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Events (chipandco.com)
- Ten Tips For Visiting the Food and Wine Marketplaces (cookingwithmickey.info)
Wednesday with Walt: Walt’s Barn
I took a road trip to my nearest Disney Outlet Store (which is an hour away) last Friday to do some much needed shopping. I ran into another Walt Disney lover. We talked for a while about our favorite person and about all the things we love at Walt Disney World and, during that conversation, I found out something very interesting. Walt’s barn has been preserved for the public to visit. Maybe you already knew this, but I was thrilled to find out about it.
As we all know, Walt Disney really loved trains. You might remember my article that talked about the train he built at his home in Holmby Hills. It was 1950 and Walt built the Carolwood Pacific Railroad right in his backyard. He named it Carolwood after the street on which he lived, Carolwood Drive. He also had a barn built on the property of his home railroad where he monitored and remotely-controlled the switches on the track.
Walt’s barn also served as his workshop, as well as a place to entertain his friends with the soda machine of which he was so proud. Many of Walt’s best ideas came to mind while working in his barn, and the barn itself has been referred to by some as “the birthplace of Imagineering.”
When the Disney family’s Holmby Hills home was sold, the new owners discovered asbestos and so they planned to demolish the home and build a new one on the property. Thank goodness Diane Disney Miller realized the importance of her father’s barn and thus wanted to preserve it. She asked the new owner if she could have it and he agreed. So, she began the process of saving it before escrow would close by contacting Michael and Sharon Broggie, the founders of The Carolwood Pacific Historical Society. They began planning what they would do with the barn.
The Broggies hired a contractor to dismantle the barn and housed it in Griffith Park, which you might remember as the park Walt used to take his daughters to on “Daddy’s Day” and watch them on the carousel — thus sparking the idea of a place where parents and children could have fun together — Disneyland!
With the help of a large number of volunteers, the barn was reconstructed and about 80% of what stands today was part of the original barn. In addition, Bill Evans (who landscaped most of the original Disneyland as well as the Disney family’s Carolwood backyard) donated his expertise to landscape the area around the barn’s new home “to match its original location in Holmby Hills.”
The barn opened in Griffith Park on July 19, 1999. Diane Disney Miller dedicated the barn as a new place to learn more about her father. At the opening ceremony Diane said, “Our heart and heritage is here, in this place.” It has been thoughtfully located in a beautifully-landscaped area of the park where one can enjoy the view of it while having lunch at one of the available picnic tables.
Courtesy of The Carolwood Pacific Historical Society
The barn is said to be small but full of many interesting items, nostalgic memories and wonderful stories. Items on display include an extensive collection of Disney and steam-train-related memorabilia including: Walt’s workbenches, hand-built by Walt Disney himself; the track switchboard Walt used to control the electronic track switches throughout the Carolwood railway;one of Walt’s porkpie-style hats; and an extensive display of memorabilia relating to the Disneyland Monorail, including a working 1960s-era monorail toy.
Walt’s Barn is open to visitors on the 3rd Sunday of each month between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. While visiting you can learn some interesting facts about Walt, the railroad and Disneyland. You can also purchase some unique merchandise.
I have added this park to my Disney bucket list and I hope you will too. If you have visited the barn I would love to hear about it, so please post your personal story here and thanks!
Related articles
- Stranded at Walt Disney World and Loving It (chipandco.com)
- Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Coming to Walt Disney World (chipandco.com)
“Strong as a Rock,” Disney’s Baby Elephant Receives Swahili Name
With a birth weight of 311 pounds, the most recent elephant born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom has been fittingly named Jabali, or “strong as a rock” in Swahili. According to zoological managers, the masculine name is well-suited for a baby elephant that could grow to an adult weight of more than 10,000 pounds.
Jabali was welcomed into the African elephant group last week by his 25-year-old mother Vasha, 10 herd members and a team of animal care professionals assisting with the birth. He’s also received a lot of attention from his older sister Kianga, who has been showering him with affection.
The next critical milestone is for the calf to continue the bonding process with his mother and sister, who are both teaching him important lessons as he gradually acclimates to the rest of the savannah herd over the next several weeks.
Jabali’s birth raises Disney’s elephant herd to twelve, making it one of the largest African elephant herds in North America.
Since early August, animal care teams have provided round-the-clock monitoring, regular ultrasounds and daily hormone monitoring of Vasha to more accurately predict the beginning of labor. In the past few years, Disney’s animal care teams have been able to narrow the birth window to within four days, which enables them to better prepare for the delivery.
Disney has been at the forefront of efforts to better understand and care for endangered elephants. Disney’s Animal Kingdom is part of a breeding program coordinated by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) that is focused on sustaining the elephant population in North America. AZA’s Elephant Species Survival Plan has called for a five-fold increase in African elephant reproduction efforts – using both natural and artificial breeding methods – in order to create a self-sustaining elephant population among North American zoos and wildlife centers.
Related articles
- New Baby Elephant Takes Center Stage at Disney’s Animal Kingdom (chipandco.com)
- North American Zoos Support Worldwide Elephant Conservation (prweb.com)
Marathon Training – The Expo
Photo courtesy of Ruth Lim
The start of Marathon weekend and all of the other race weekend’s at Walt Disney World and the Disneyland Resort is possibly the biggest and most comprehensive store on property. No, not the World of Disney at Downtown Disney – Disney’s Health and Fitness Expo.
Located at the ESPN Wide World of Sports (buses available from all WDW Resort hotels), the race expo has more than you could even imagine. Forget your shoes? No problems – several companies set up shop, even offering big sales. Need a new pair of earbuds specially designed for runners? Need some energy foods for the race? No problem. You can find all of these and more at the Race Expo.
If you’re new to the running world, you’ll be amazed at the variety of vendors that come to the expo. From Thursday through Saturday, the race expo hosts speakers, companies, and all other exercise goods you could imagine. Make sure to stop by and experience all there is to be seen!
2011 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival – Special Festival Experiences
From educational experiences to sumptuous tastings to specialty shopping, Festival Guests enjoy a variety of culinary experiences at little to no extra cost.
Most of these events, seminars and demonstrations can be found at the Festival Welcome Center at Epcot Theme Park, unless otherwise indicated.
New Offerings Included in Festival Admission
Cranberry Bog Display – NEW!: Before entering World Showcase, visit the Cranberry Bog Display, hosted by Ocean Spray® Craisins® dried cranberries. Learn about the history, harvesting process and health benefits as you sample this unique fruit.
Home Entertaining Seminar Hosted by HGTV – NEW!: In this new, 30-minute seminar, HGTV celebrity designers show you how to create the ultimate entertainment room. Learn about holiday table setting, herb and vegetable gardening, and kitchen/dining room designs. Fridays and Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Sundays at 9:30 a.m.
- Sept. 30 – Oct. 2, Vern Yip, “HGTV Design Star “and “HGTV Urban Oasis”
- Oct. 7 – 9, Monica Pedersen, “Designed to Sell“
- Oct. 14 – 16, Erin Loechner, “Design Happens”
- Oct. 21 – 23, Taniya Nayak, “Designed to Sell”
- Oct. 28 – 30, Kim Stoegbauer, “On-line Party Inspiration”
- Nov. 4 – 6, Lisa LaPorta, “Designed to Sell”
- Nov. 11 – 13, Emily Henderson, “Secrets from a Stylist” and Season 5 winner of “HGTV Design Star”
Additional Offerings Included in Festival Admission
Authors Without Borders: Renowned authors from the food and beverage industry discuss their craft. Times vary on select Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Hosted by Ocean Spray® Craisins® Dried Cranberries.
Authentic Taste Seminars: Learn about the origins, properties and history of pure ingredients in lively, 30-minute presentations by subject experts. On select Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Hosted by Driscoll’s® Only The Finest Berries™.
Book Signings and Meet & Greets: Meet celebrated authors and personalities, and have them autograph your purchased book or merchandise. Check the daily schedules or visit the Festival Information Desk for details.
Bottle Signings: Meet the winemaker and have your purchased bottle of wine autographed—great for a souvenir or special occasion! Check the daily schedules or visit the Festival Information Desk for details.
Seasons of the Vine: View a “behind-the-scenes introduction” to wine growing. This 7-minute film runs continuously each day.
Shopping & Specialty Products
The Cellar: The wine shop offers hundreds of wines from the celebrated wineries showcased throughout the Festival, as well as spirits, beers and a unique collection of bottles.
Intermissions Café: Indulge in wine, cheese and light snacks at this venue hosted by Kobrand™.
The Stockpot Shop: Shop for commemorative items, such as the event poster, Festival cookbook and an extensive selection of cooking and entertaining products.
Tasteful Chapters: The official book-signing location for celebrity chefs and authors, our book shop also offers collectible Festival-themed mini Disney Gift Cards, which make it easy to pay for so much fun at the Festival!
Demonstrations & Seminars (Additional Fee Required)
Learn to create mouthwatering recipes or learn a little more about food and wine.
The following seminars and demonstrations are available at a fee, in addition to your Epcot Theme Park admission.
Culinary Demonstrations: Celebrated chefs and beverage professionals offer helpful tips and tasty samples at these 45-minute culinary demonstrations. At 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. daily. $11 and $13 per person, tax included. For additional details about these seminars—including the scheduled wines and beverages—click here to view the information. Schedule is subject to change.
Mixology Seminars – NEW!: A mixologist demonstrates the art of preparing trendy and classic cocktails, then serves you the final product. Cheers! At 6:00 p.m. daily. $12 per person, tax included. For additional details about these seminars—including the scheduled wines and beverages—click here to view the information. Schedule is subject to change.
Scent Demonstration – NEW!: Join scent critic Chandler Burr for a unique double-culinary experience—a meal made entirely of scents! You’ll also get to taste one of the courses, prepared by a Disney chef. Sunday, Oct. 2 from 2:45 to 4:00 p.m. $13 per person, tax included.
Wine/Beverage Seminars: Meet a featured winery principal or beverage expert, learn a handful of tips and sample the selected wines/beverages. At noon, 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. daily. $10 and $12 per person, tax included. For additional details about these seminars—including the scheduled wines and beverages—click here to view the information. Schedule is subject to change.
To secure a spot at any of the above events, book online or call (407) WDW-FEST or (407) 939-3378. Reservations open for booking on Tuesday, August 16, 2011. Space is limited, so be sure to book in advance.
Related articles
- HGTV Seminars at 16th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Sept. 30-Nov. 13 (chipandco.com)
- 2011 Epcot Food & Wine Festival Culinary and Beverage Demo Info FINALLY Available (disneyfoodblog.com)
