Disney & McDonald’s Renew Partnership

In May of 2006, after 10 years of Disney-themed Happy Meal toys for young (and old) McDonald’s customers, Disney ended their partnership, hoping to distance themselves from the fast-food giant as they also worked to improve the nutritional value of the kid’s meals in their theme parks.

Today, Disney and McDonald’s announced announced a new multi-year agreement that will “add more fun to family mealtime” with Happy Meals that will promote movies from across Disney’s family of studios, including Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm.

The first Disney-themed Happy Meal will arrive in June, promoting the June 15th release of Incredibles 2. November’s Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2 will also see the side of a Happy Meal box.

Disney’s change of heart comes as McDonald’s begins to make “customer-led changes” to their Happy Meals, including fewer calories, saturated fat, sodium and added sugar. While you can some of the more unhealthy items with your Happy Meal, the options shown on menu boards will now be more in line with nutritional guidelines.

Morgan Flatley, Chief Marketing Officer for McDonald’s USA says that the new agreement “will create memorable moments for families.” She adds, “As we continue to build a better McDonald’s, this relationship combines ingenuity in food and entertainment to encourage more balance meal selections in our Happy Meals and inspire families in fun and innovative ways.”

According to Tiffany Rende, Senior Vice President for Corporate Alliances at The Walt Disney Company, “McDonald’s commitment to balanced Happy Meals allows our two companies to collaborate on new ways to bring the magic of Disney to McDonald’s consumers.”

Latest DHS Map Includes Toy Story Land

DHS to Extend Hours for Toy Story Land

Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios officially opens on June 30, and the operating hours of the park have now been extended to accommodate the expected increase in attendance at the park.

On the opening day June 30 2018, the park opens from 8am to 11pm, and then for the month of July, the operating hours are 8am to 10pm daily. For Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests, the park will open at 7am for morning Extra Magic Hours for the entire month of July. So far, no evening EMH is scheduled.

Disney is yet to announce plans for Cast and Passholder previews of Toy Story Land.

WDW Building a New Solar Power Facility

Earlier this year, Origis Energy USA and Reedy Creek Improvement District announced a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for a 50 MWAC solar facility to be constructed in Orange County, Florida. Once complete, the solar facility developed, built, and owned by Origis Energy, will generate approximately 120,000 megawatt hours of power each year and provide clean energy to the Reedy Creek Improvement District.

“We’re excited to begin work on a new solar facility as part of our ongoing responsibility to oversee land use and environmental protections within the district,” said John Classe, District Administrator of the Reedy Creek Improvement District. “This project will significantly enhance our renewable energy abilities and create new environmental opportunities in the future.”

The solar facility will be located on approximately 270 acres in Orange County, Florida, near Disney;s Magnolia Golf Course. The Origis Energy designs call for the use of single axis tracking technology, approximately 518,000 solar panel modules and will interconnect to the Reedy Creek Improvement District power distribution system. The project will create up to 300 jobs during construction, which is anticipated to start by late spring 2018 and be completed by year end 2018.

“We are honored to assist the Reedy Creek Improvement District leadership team realize their vision for the use of utility scale clean energy,” said Johan Vanhee, Managing Director, Operations and Business Development of Origis Energy. “Florida is our company’s home state as well. We commend the Reedy Creek Improvement District on the deployment of more solar energy in the Sunshine State.”

FootGolf Comes to Walt Disney World

For the very first time, Walt Disney World Golf operated by Arnold Palmer Golf Management is proud to offer the game of FootGolf to our guests at Disney’s Oak Trail golf course.

The 18-Hole FootGolf course is Certified by the American FootGolf League (AFGL), the governing body for the sport of FootGolf in the United States.

Tee times can be booked to play 18 holes of FootGolf either in front of or behind those playing 9 holes of traditional golf. When played in groups of four, 18 holes of FootGolf should take approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes, much like that of 9 holes of traditional golf.

Disney’s Oak Trail FootGolf Course:
Anyone can play as it requires minimal prior experience other than your ability to kick a soccer ball. It is a great way to get some fresh air and exercise, enjoy time together with colleagues or loved ones, and have some fun and friendly competition at the same time!

As you walk the 18 holes you’ll be accompanied by a selection of Central Florida’s finest wildlife. Turkeys, Armadillos, Deer, Ospreys, and Hawks will all surround you as our golf course is part of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program which works hard to provide a healthy balance between economic advancement while maintaining and restoring wildlife habitats where they can live and flourish.

Disney’s Oak Trail FootGolf course measures in at 2,438 yards over a par for the course of 69 with a challenging selection of par 3’s, 4’s and 5’s.
Traditional golf is played to the Blue pin flags at Disney’s Oak Trail course while FootGolf is identified by its official color of Orange.
There are no forced carries over any waterways on any of the 18 holes, therefore, young or old, it is fun for the whole family!

WHAT IS FOOTGOLF?
FootGolf is a precision sport; a combination of the popular sports of soccer and golf, but more closely related to golf.
Players kick a regulation #5 soccer ball at a golf course facility on shortened length holes with 21-inch diameter cups in as few shots as possible.

FootGolf rules are very similar to the rules of golf, and bunkers, hazards and golf course characteristics help to improve the challenge of the game. FootGolf and golf can be played alongside each other on the same course and both types of play can exist harmoniously together.
Since the game is played on a golf course, the basic uniform of FootGolf is golf apparel, with indoor or turf soccer shoes, or running shoes.
Knee length Argyle socks are customary, but not necessary, as is the use of a Flat Cap.

For reservations, or additional details please call (407) WDW-GOLF (939-4653) or book online below to reserve your tee time. You are welcome to bring your own soccer ball, or rent one of ours.
Play as a single, or bring your friends/family and socialize! FootGolf is available 7 days a week, after 11:00 a.m., subject to availability.

Check out the folowing video for additional information on the rules of FootGolf:

WDW Current Refurbishment Schedule (2/10/18)

Magic Kingdom Refurbishments

•Stitch’s Great Escape!
1/7/18 to Unknown
•Liberty Square Riverboat
1/8/18 to 7/20/18
•Pirates of the Caribbean
2/26/18 to 3/19/18
•Cinderella’s Royal Table
2/28/18 to 3/3/18

Epcot

•The American Adventure 1/15/18 to 2/15/18
•Kringla Bakeri og Kafe
2/4/18 to Summer 2018

Animal Kingdom

•Kali River Rapids
1/2/18 to 2/11/18
•Finding Nemo – The Musical 2/4/18 to 2/25/18

Typhoon Lagoon

•Whole Park Closed
1/1/18 to 3/18/18

Epcot Flower & Garden Festival 2018 Outdoor Kitchen Menus

Epcot’s International
Flower & Garden Festival 2018 Outdoor Kitchens Food and Beverage Menus

(GF = Gluten Free
V = Vegetarian)

●The Berry Basket:
•Lamb chop with Quinoa Salad and Blackberry Gastrique
•Field Greens with fresh Strawberries, Crisp Quinoa, Strawberry Vinaigrette and Spiced Pecans (V)
•Warm Wild Berry Buckle with Pepper Berry Gelato (V)

●JDub’s Brewing Company •Blueberry IPA, Sarasota, FL
•Island Grove Blueberry Moscato
•Twinings Green Tea Berry Mint Julep
•Twinings Green Tea Berry Mint Julep (non-alcoholic)

●Northern Bloom – Canada
•Seared Scallops with French Green Beans, Butter Potatoes, Brown Butter Vinaigrette and Apple wood Smoked Bacon (GF)
•Beef Tenderloin Tips, Mushroom Bordelaise Sauce, Whipped Potatoes with Garden Vegetables
•Griddled Maple Pound Cake with Warm Peach Compote and Sweet Corn Gelato
•Maple Popcorn Shake (Non-alcoholic)
•Maple Popcorn Shake with Crown Royal
•Unibroue Maudite Amber Ale, Chambly, Quebec
•Unibroue A Tout Le Monde Saison, Chambly, Quebec
•Unibroue Ephemere White Ale, Chambly, Quebec
•Beer Flight

●La Isla Fresca – World Showcase Promenade
•Jamaican-braised Beef with Pigeon Pea Rice and Micro Cilantro
•Sugar Cane Shrimp Skewer with Steamed Rice and Coconut Lime Sauce
•Caribbean Conch Salad with Avocado, Mango and Onions
•Tropical Mousse Cake: Layers of Passion Fruit Cake, Coconut Mousse and a Tropical Fruit Glaze with Fresh Pineapple
•Golden Road Brewing Tart Mango Cart Wheat Ale, Los Angeles, CA
•Tropical Freeze with Cruzan Mango Rum
•Tropical Freeze (Non-alcoholic)

●Cider House – United Kingdom
•Pear Cider-brined Shredded Corned Beef with Braised Cabbage and Pears and Branston Dressing
•House-made Potato and Cheddar Cheese Biscuit with Smoked Salmon Tartare
•Freshly Baked Lemon Scone with Créme Fraiche and Mixed Berries (GF)
•McKenzie’s Black Cherry Hard Cider, West Seneca, NY
•Florida Beer Company Caribé Pineapple Tropical Hard Cider, Cape Canaveral, FL
•Ciderboys Grand Mimosa Apple Orange Hard Cider, Stevens Point, WI
•Martinelli’s Sparkling Cider, CA (non-alcoholic)
Cider Flight

●The Honey Bee-stro Hosted by National Honey Board
•Roasted Cauliflower with Buckwheat Honey Carrot Puree, Wild Rice Pilaf, Asparagus, Honey Blistered Grapes and Sunflower Brittle (GF) (V)
•Honey Tandoori Chicken Flatbread with White Cheddar Cheese, charred vegetables, Clover Honey Sour Cream and Micro Watercress
•Local Wildflower Honey-Mascarpone Cheesecake with Orange Blossom Honey Ice Cream garnished with Fennel Pollen Meringue Kisses
•Florida Orange Groves Winery Orange Blossom Honey Wine, St. Petersburg, FL
•Orange Blossom Brewing Co. Orange Blossom Pilsner, Orlando, FL
•Honey-Peach Cobbler Freeze with Blueberry Vodka
•Honey-Peach Cobbler Freeze (Non-alcoholic)

●Pineapple Promenade – World Showcase Promenade
•Spicy Hot Dog with Pineapple Chutney and Plantain Chips
•Pineapple Soft-Serve (V)Pineapple Soft-serve with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum
•Pineapple Soft-serve with Fanta (Non-alcoholic)
•Coastal Empire Beer Co. Coco Pina Gose, Savannah, GA
•Frozen Desert Violet Lemonade – non-alcoholic
•Sparkling Pineapple Wine – Florida Orange Groves Winery, St. Petersburg, Florida
•Maui Brewing Co. Pineapple Mana Wheat, Kihei, HI
•SweetWater Brewing Company Goin’ Coastal IPA with Pineapple, Atlanta, GA
•Playalinda Brewing Company Violet Lemonade Ale, Titusville, FL
•Pineapple Beer Flight

●Jardin de Fiestas – Mexico
•Pork Taco: Slow-braised Pork Taco served with Apple Relish, Goat Cheese and Chile de Arbol Sauce
•Chilaquiles: Chilaquiles served with Chorizo, Mexican Cream and Cotija Cheese
•Capirotada: Bread Pudding served with Rompope
•Tiger Lily Sangria
•Rose Margarita
•Violet Cassis Punch
•Daisy Spicy Beer

●Lotus House – China
•Spicy Meatballs with Crispy Tofu
•Fried Chicken Dumplings with Peanut Sauce
•Vegetable Spring Rolls (V)
•Oolong Peach Bubble Tea
•Kung Fu Punch – vodka and triple sec with mango and orange juice
•Plum Wine Cooler
•Tsingtao Lager Beer

●Bauernmarkt: Farmer’s Market – Germany
•Potato Pancakes with House-made Apple Sauce (V)
•Potato Pancake with Caramelized Ham, Onions and Herb Sour Cream
•Toasted Pretzel Bread topped with Black Forest Ham and Melted Gruyere Cheese
•Warm Cheese Strudel with Mixed Berries
•Hugo-Charles de Fere “Organic” Brut with Elderflower and Mint
•Ayinger Brau Weisse Hefeweizen, Munich, Germany
•Kostritzer Schwarzbier Black Lager
•Beer Flight

●Primavera Kitchen – Italy
•Frittata di Asparagi: Asparagus Frittata, Mixed Greens and Citrus Dressing (GF) (V)
•Fritto Misto: Crispy Shrimps, Zucchini and Spicy Sauces
•Ravioli: Maine Lobster Ravioli with Vodka Sauce
•Panna Cotta al Melone: Cantaloupe Panna Cotta (GF) (V)
•Pinot Grigio
•Chianti
•Prosecco Corbinello – a sweet and sparkling spumante
•Moscato Bellini – sparkling wine and peach purée
•Frozen Italian Margarita with Limoncello and Tequila
•Moretti Lager L’Autentica
•Moretti La Rossa

●THE SMOKEHOUSE: Barbecue and Brews – American Adventure
•Pulled Pig Slider with Coleslaw
•Smoked Pork Ribs with Roasted Corn Salad (GF)
•Beef Brisket Burnt Ends Hash with White Cheddar Fondue and Pickled Jalapenos
•Beef Brisket Burnt Ends and Smoked Pork Belly Slider with Garlic Sausage, Chorizo, Cheddar Fondue and House-made Pickle
•Warm Chocolate Cake with Bourbon-Salted Caramel Sauce and Spiced Pecans (V)
•Maple Bacon Stout – Shipyard Brewing Company, Clearwater, FL
•Zen of Zin Old Vine, California
•Central 28 Brewing Company Sunshine Greetings Orange Hibiscus Wheat Ale, DeBary, FL
•3 Daughters Phantasmas IPA, St. Petersburg, FL
•Frozen Lemonade with Firefly Blackberry Moonshine
•Frozen Lemonade – non alcoholic
•Beer Flight

●Hanami – Japan
•Frushi: Fresh Pineapple, Strawberry and Melon rolled with Coconut Rice, sprinkled with Toasted Coconut and Whipped Cream with Raspberry Sauce on the side (V)
•Teriyaki Salmon with Furikake Seasoned Brown Rice (GF)
•Beef Teriyaki Udon: Thin-sliced Beef, Onions and Noodles tossed on the grill with Soy and Ginger
•Sapporo Premium Black Lager
•Pineapple Momo Sake Cocktail
•Kara Super Dry Sake

●Taste of Marrakesh – Morocco
•Harissa Chicken Kebab with Dried Fruit
•Couscous Salad
•Fried Cauliflower with Capers, Garlic Parsley and Chili Ranch Sauce Walnut
•Honey Baklava (V)
•Desert Rose – Sparkling Wine topped with Pomegranate Liqueur
•White Sangria
•Casa Bee

●Florida Fresh – between Morocco and France
•Carne Guisada with Black Bean Cake and Cilantro Lime Sour Cream
•Spicy Blackened Shrimp and Stone-ground Cheddar Cheese Grits with Brown Gravy and Local Sweet Corn Relish
•Key Lime Tart with Toasted Meringue
•Key Lime Sparkling Wine – Florida Orange Groves, St. Petersburg, FL
•Quat Seasonal Fruit Ale, Tampa Bay Brewing Company, Tampa, FL
•Big Top Brewing Company Conch Republic Key Lime Wheat, Sarasota, FL
•First Magnitude Brewing Co. Monarch Milk Stout, Gainesville, FL
•Beer Flight
•Watermelon Cucumber Slush with Tamiami Florida Gin
•Watermelon Cucumber Slush (Non-alcoholic)

●Fleur de Lys – France
•Tarte a la Tomate Provençale: Provencal Tomato Tart with Sauteed Onions, Fresh Thyme and Rosemary on a Flaky Pastry Crust (V)
•Canard Confit Aux Gnocchi a la Parisienne: Braised Duck Confit with Parisian Gnocchi
•Macaron au Chocolat en Sucette: Large Chocolate Macaron Lollipop (GF)
•La Vie en Rose Frozen Slush – Grey Goose vodka orange, St-Germain liqueur, white and red cranberry juice
•Kir Pomegranate, Sparkling Wine, Pama Pomegranate Liquor
•Cabernet Sauvignon, Village de France
•Kronenbourg Blanc 1664: Fruity White Beer with Citrus Notes

●Specialty Coffee Carts by Joffrey’s

•Future World Coffee Cart
Iced Tea topped with Frozen Passion Fruit with Vodka

•Port of Entry Coffee Cart
Garden of Guava – Frozen Pink Guava topped with Rum or Vodka

•American Adventure Coffee Cart
Strawberry Pina Colada – Frozen Pina Colada and Strawberry with Rum

•Showcase Coffee Cart
Orange Blossom Twist – Frozen Orange Pineapple topped with Vodka

Sea World Announces Partial List of Performers for the Seven Seas Food Festival

In addition to delicious eats, guests visiting SeaWorld’s Seven Seas Food Festival can enjoy world-class entertainment each Saturday and Sunday from February 17 to April 15.

During the festival, guests are invited to experience the following performances included in their theme park admission:

• Bachman & Turner – February 17
• Larry the Cable Guy – February 18
• Jacksons – Feb 24
• Huey Lewis & the News – March 3
• Chris Young – March 4
• Daughtry – March 10

Additional performances, like Eli Young Band and El Gran Combo, will be announced soon.

Concerts are held at Bayside Stadium each weekend. For the best seat in the house, guests can purchase reserved seating for select performances. Reserved seating opportunities are available online beginning February 9.

During the first wave of performances, guests can indulge in limited time BBQ flavors to accompany their Seven Seas experience.  A complete menu of the Seven Seas Food Festival dishes and drinks can be found online at SeaWorldOrlando.com/SevenSeas.

Beginning March 31, additional acts and flavors will take center stage. With exciting performances, Latin-inspired dishes and drinks, guests will have more to explore through April 15. Additional details will be announced soon.

For more information, park hours and to purchase tickets, visit www.SeaWorldOrlando.com.  Follow SeaWorld on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest Seven Seas Food Festival details and information.

Concerts are held at Bayside Stadium each weekend. For the best seat in the house, guests can purchase reserved seating for select performances. Reserved seating opportunities are available online beginning February 9.

During the first wave of performances, guests can indulge in limited time BBQ flavors to accompany their Seven Seas experience.  A complete menu of the Seven Seas Food Festival dishes and drinks can be found online at http://www.SeaWorldOrlando.com/SevenSeas.

 

WDW Times Guides for Feb 4-10 2018

DL & DCA Times Guides for February 2-8 2018