Walt Disney World Fireworks on July 4
Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Guests can enjoy all the regular attractions and shows on July 4 from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Flower Power Concert Series at EPCOT
As part of the 2010 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival at Walt Disney World, the Flower Power Concerts are popular with visitors. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45 p.m artists play at the America Gardens Theatre. These shows are free with admission to the park.
This is the current lineup (Entertainment is subject to change without notice):
March 5-7 – Jose Feliciano
March 12-14 – Paul Revere & The Raiders
March 19-21 – David Cassidy
March 26-28 – Starship featuring Mickey Thomas
April 2-4 – Tony Orlando
April 9-11 – Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone
April 16-18 – Ricky Nelson Remembered featuring the Nelsons
April 23-25 – Atlanta Rhythm Section
April 30-May 2 –Fran Cosmo (Former lead singer of Boston)
May 7-9 –Davy Jones
May 14 – 16 – Chubby Checker & The Wildcats
Something for everyone!
–Kay
- Providing special vacation home rentals and advice for over 5 years to families and friends wanting to make the most of their time and money while visiting Walt Disney World.
- Windsor Palms Resort Vacation Rental http://www.windsorpalmsorlando.com
- Emerald Island Resort Vacation Rental http://www.emeraldislandorlando.com
Happy Valentine’s Day from Disney’s Turf Club
In honor of Valentines Day, the chefs at Disney’s Turf Club at the Saratoga Springs Resort shared the recipe for their Chocolate Espresso Torte on the Disney blog.
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Disney’s Turf Club Chocolate Espresso Torte
Makes one 9-inch torte
1 1/2 sticks butter, softened, plus additional softened butter for greasing pan
3/4 cup sugar, plus additional sugar for dusting pan
12 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
5 eggs at room temperature, beaten
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup prepared espresso
Chocolate Ganache:
4 ounces semisweet chocolate
1 stick softened butter
Vanilla ice cream, optional
For Torte:
Preheat oven to 300º with oven rack in middle position. Wrap a 9-inch springform pan in plastic wrap, then wrap tightly with a layer of heavy-duty foil. Generously butter pan. Dust pan with sugar, tapping out excess. Place prepared pan in a roasting pan; set aside.
Combine 3/4 cup sugar and prepared espresso in a small saucepan over medium heat. Heat, stirring, until sugar is dissolved. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes.
Place chocolate in a large bowl set over a large saucepan of barely simmering water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water). Stir occasionally until just melted. Add butter by the tablespoonful, stirring until combined. Stir in espresso syrup and vanilla extract. Set aside to cool slightly, 4 to 5 minutes. Gently stir in eggs until combined.
Pour batter into prepared springform pan. Pour boiling-hot water into roasting pan until it reaches three-quarters of the way up the of springform pan. Bake until center of torte is almost set, but still wobbles just slightly, about 45 to 50 minutes.
Transfer torte to a wire rack to cool completely. Refrigerate, covered, for 8 hours or overnight.
For Ganache:
Place chocolate in a medium bowl set over a medium saucepan of simmering water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water). Stir occasionally until melted. Set aside to cool slightly, 3 to 4 minutes. Add butter by the tablespoonful, stirring until combined and glossy. Use immediately.
To Serve:
Run a thin knife along edge of chilled torte, and remove springform pan ring. Set torte on a wire rack set over a sheet pan. Pour ganache over torte, a bit at a time, spreading with a rubber or offset spatula to cover top. Allow excess to drip down sides, if desired. Place torte on a platter or sheet pan lined with parchment paper, and refrigerate until set, approximately 2 hours. Serve with vanilla ice cream, if desired.
For Miniature Heart-Shaped Tortes:
Cut individual tortes from large torte using a heart-shaped cutter. Carefully dip each heart into ganache using two forks, letting excess drip off. Set hearts on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper, and refrigerate until set, approximately 2 hours. Serve with vanilla ice cream, if desired.
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Looks yummy!
–Kay
- Providing special vacation home rentals and advice for over 5 years to families and friends wanting to make the most of their time and money while visiting Walt Disney World.
- Windsor Palms Resort Vacation Rental http://www.windsorpalmsorlando.com
- Emerald Island Resort Vacation Rental http://www.emeraldislandorlando.com
Disney’s Main Street Electrical Parade Returns to the Magic Kingdom
(Paul Hiffmeyer/Disneyland)
Early June 2010 sees the return of Disney’s Main Street Electrical Parade to the Magic Kingdom. Since 2001, this amazing parade has been seasonally wowing guests at Disneyland in Anaheim. Part of the 2010 ‘Summer Nightastic’, Disney’s Main Street Electrical Parade is sure to be a big hit. Tinkerbell will lead the parade in a magical balloon float. Pinocchio and Snow White also join the parade this year in new floats.
If you have not seen this parade before, make the time to do so. It is well worth it, certainly a magical parade to watch.
–Kay
- Providing special vacation home rentals and advice for over 5 years to families and friends wanting to make the most of their time and money while visiting Walt Disney World.
- Windsor Palms Resort Vacation Rental http://www.windsorpalmsorlando.com
- Emerald Island Resort Vacation Rental http://www.emeraldislandorlando.com
New act in La Nouba
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Jan. 29, 2010)– La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil announced today that an incredible new act featuring world-renowned juggler Anthony Gatto will be added permanently to the 90-minute spectacle at Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort beginning Feb. 5, 2010.
Anthony Gatto comes to La Nouba from the tour of KOOZA by Cirque du Soleil and holds 11 world records in juggling. In the nine-minute act, Gatto juggles balls, hoops and clubs in unprecedented numbers at amazing speed with seemingly impossible accuracy.
Gatto joins the ranks of professional athletes, dancers, vocalists, musicians and comedic performers in the cast of 67 artists in the incredibly creative and dynamic gem La Nouba.
“Anthony is a true showman and we are pleased to have him join the dedicated and talented cast of La Nouba. The juggling act is fast-paced and will add to the energy on stage,” said Neil Boyd, company manager. “This act is an amazing new addition for our fans that come to see the show year after year.”
Time magazine calls Gatto, “simply the best juggler ever.”
The new act is entitled “cinq-a-sept” which means “five-to-seven,” generally known as “happy hour.” This fits well with the meaning of La Nouba - “to party” or “live it up.”
This new act replaces the chair balancing act in the show.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Tuesdays through Saturdays at 6 and 9 p.m. The theater is dark Sundays, Mondays and select times throughout the year.
La Nouba is performed exclusively at Downtown Disney West Side at Walt Disney World Resort.
ABOUT CIRQUE DU SOLEIL
From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque du Soleil is now a major international organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment. Since its founding, Cirque du Soleil has thrilled close to 90 million spectators in more than 200 cities on five continents.
In addition to presenting La Nouba at Downtown Disney West Side, Cirque du Soleil presents seven equally unique and innovative productions in Las Vegas: Mystère™at Treasure Island, “O”™ at Bellagio, Zumanity™, The Sensual Side of Cirque du Soleil™ at New York-New York Hotel & Casino, KÀ™ at MGM Grand, The Beatles™, LOVE™, at The Mirage, CRISS ANGEL Believe™ at Luxor and Viva ELVIS™ at ARIA Resort & Casino at CityCenter
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Hope you enjoyed reading this news from La Nouba. We saw Anthony Gatto when he was in KOOZA, an amazing juggler, and a great addition to La Nouba.
–Kay
- Providing special vacation home rentals and advice for over 5 years to families and friends wanting to make the most of their time and money while visiting Walt Disney World.
- Windsor Palms Resort Vacation Rental http://www.windsorpalmsorlando.com
- Emerald Island Resort Vacation Rental http://www.emeraldislandorlando.com
Valentines Offer from La Nouba
Save 30% on tickets Feb 2nd, 2010 through March 27th 2010
http://bit.ly/LaNoubaValentine2010offer
–Kay
- Providing special vacation home rentals and advice for over 5 years to families and friends wanting to make the most of their time and money while visiting Walt Disney World.
- Windsor Palms Resort Vacation Rental http://www.windsorpalmsorlando.com
- Emerald Island Resort Vacation Rental http://www.emeraldislandorlando.com
Star Wars Weekends
Avalon, your vacation rental home for Star Wars Weekends
The 2010 Dates for the annual Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios have been announced.
The 2010 dates are:
May 21 - 23
May 28 - 30
June 4 - 6
June 11 - 13
This special event is held annually at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park and celebrates the Star Wars Saga and the new animated television series The Clone Wars.
As part of the weekend festivities, Disney’s Hollywood Studios puts on special shows, parades & presentations, as well as offering unique merchandise, celebrity autograph opportunities and memorabilia. Join other Star Wars fans and Star Wars celebrities for this limited time engagement.
More information can be found at the Star Wars Weekends page here.
–Kay
- Providing special vacation home rentals and advice for over 5 years to families and friends wanting to make the most of their time and money while visiting Walt Disney World.
- Windsor Palms Resort Vacation Rental http://www.windsorpalmsorlando.com
- Emerald Island Resort Vacation Rental http://www.emeraldislandorlando.com
Bands, Brews and BBQ
Visit Seaworld during your stay at Avalon, Windsor Palms Vacation Rental
Happy February everyone.
Whether you are on vacation in a vacation rental or local to the area, you may be interested in Seaworld’s Seasonal Bands, Brews and BBQ happening Saturdays at Seaworld. Every Saturday at 4pm, Seaworld Orlando host concerts by several artists. Here is the line up for this year;
February 6th - Leann Rimes
February 13th - Montgomery Gentry
February 20th - John Rich of Big and Rich
February 27th - Yes
Regular admission to Seaworld includes access to the concert, however VIP tickets are available. This VIP ticket offers reserved seating up close on the floor stage at Bayside Stadium during the (featured artist) concert, All You can eat BBQ Buffet at the Sea Harbor Pavilions and Quick Queue front-of-the-line privileges. Prices are from $49.95 and tickets can be found here.
Full details on Bands, Brews & BBQ can be found on Seaworld’s Website
–Kay
- Providing special vacation home rentals and advice for over 5 years to families and friends wanting to make the most of their time and money while visiting Walt Disney World.
- Windsor Palms Resort Vacation Rental http://www.windsorpalmsorlando.com
- Emerald Island Resort Vacation Rental http://www.emeraldislandorlando.com
Give a Day, Get a Disney Day
You’ve been looking for low cost Disney tickets, but how would you like to get a free ticket into Walt Disney World? We all do, right, saving money is a great thing. You are already saving money by staying off-site in the vacation rental, Avalon, located on the Windsor Palms Resort. Here is how you can save even more…
That’s right, spend a day volunteering and get a free admission ticket to Walt Disney World in 2010. Now you can’t just go downtown and volunteer just anywhere to redeem this offer. Guests should sign up on the Give a Day, Get a Disney Day website, once signed up you can choose your volunteer activity from those that are available. After completion of your service, the service will be verified before a voucher is mailed to you. Family volunteer activities are available, but the minimum age to volunteer is 6. Full details are available on the Give a Day, Get a Disney Day website.
Happy volunteering!
New Years at the Disney Parks
Do you plan to welcome the New Year at one of the Disney Parks? If so there’s a lot to choose from this year — nine parade performances and five fireworks shows. If that lineup has your attention, here are the New Year’s Eve details broken down by park:
Magic Kingdom
- “Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It!” parade and street party (11 a.m., 2 and 5:15 p.m.)
- “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade” (12 noon and 3:30 p.m.)
- “SpectroMagic” parade of lights and music (7 and 10:30 p.m.)
- “Holiday Wishes” fireworks (8:30 p.m.)
- “Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks (11:50 p.m.)
- Park hours on New Year’s Eve: 8 a.m.-2 a.m.
Epcot
- Special version of “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” (7:30 and 11:40 p.m.)
- Park hours on New Year’s Eve: 9 a.m.-1 a.m.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- “Fantasmic!” nighttime musical special effects extravaganza (6:30, 8 and 10 p.m.)
- Live performances by in-park band “Mulch, Sweat and Shears,” back-to-back with a DJ at Mickey’s Sorcerer’s Hat. (Mulch, Sweat and Shears sets are 8, 9, 10 and 11 p.m.; DJ starts at 6:30 p.m.)
- A special “Lights, Camera, Happy New Year” fireworks show starring Mulch, Sweat and Shears (11:55 p.m.)
- Park hours on New Year’s Eve: 8 a.m.-midnight
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- “Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade” (4:45 p.m.)
- Park hours on New Year’s Eve: 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Bay Lake And Seven Seas Lagoon
- The Electrical Water Pageant (9 p.m.; plays to Magic Kingdom entrance area at 10:25 p.m.)
Note: Show times and entertainment are subject to change without notice.
–Kay
- Providing special vacation home rentals and advice for over 5 years to families and friends wanting to make the most of their time and money while visiting Walt Disney World.
- Windsor Palms Resort Vacation Rental http://www.windsorpalmsorlando.com
- Emerald Island Resort Vacation Rental http://www.emeraldislandorlando.com
