Sounds Like Summer Concert Series Makes July Evenings Nightastic!
- Through Aug. 14 at Magic Kingdom, thousands of tiny lights illuminate the return of the beloved “Main Street Electrical Parade,” and the elaborate new “Summer Nightastic! Fireworks Spectacular”paints the night sky more brightly than ever.
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, The Twilight Zone™ Tower of Terror adds new effects – and a summer-only drop sequence – to the mix for guests daring to step into the attraction’s infamous service elevator for a ride into the “fifth dimension.” And on Hollywood Boulevard, in the shadow of the 122-foot-tall Mickey’s Sorcerer’s Hat icon, guests are invited to the Rock n’ Glow Dance Party, where a DJ and live rock band keep popular tunes coming five nights a week.
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
Carnival of Venice
Tutto Italia in EPCOT will be having a Carnival of Venice celebration beginning February 8th 2010 through to February 16th 2010. This special celebration includes an appetizer, entree and desert. Prices are $19 for lunch and $29 for dinner. Servers will be wearing amazing handmade Venetian masks and costumes. Dinner will also feature the strolling musical trio “Viva Venezia”
The chef inspired menu also features Fileto Di Pesce Al Melograno (Halibut with Pomegranate Sauce) at dinner.
http://bit.ly/CarnivalofVenice
Call (407) WDW-DINE (939-3463) for reservations.
FILETO DI PESCE AL MELOGRANO (HALIBUT WITH POMEGRANATE SAUCE)
Serves 4
Halibut
1 3/4 pounds halibut fillet (1 1/2 inches thick), cut into 4 even portions
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
Pomegranate Sauce
1/4 cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons chopped shallots
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup pure pomegranate juice
1 tablespoon butter
For the halibut:
1. Season the halibut with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in large frying pan over medium-high heat until just starting to smoke.
3. Carefully place the halibut in the oil and cook for 4minutes each side, turning once, until golden brown on each side.
For the pomegranate sauce:
1. Boil wine and shallots over medium-high heat in heavy small saucepan for approximately 2 minutes or until most of wine has evaporated.
2. Add heavy cream and pomegranate juice and bring to a boil for approximately 5 minutes or until reduced to 3/4 cup.
3. Whisk in butter. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
4. Spoon sauce over halibut before service.
Sounds delicious!
–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
New Year’s Eve at The Magic Kingdom
Guests staying at thee Windsor Palms Resort in Kissimmee over New Year may be interested in two offerings at The Magic Kingdom.
New Years Eve at Walt Disney World is traditionally a busy time. This year, The Magic Kingdom is offering two options for guests to take a break from the crowds and enjoy an exclusive event.
The first is a special New Years Eve package which includes a 2 hour all you care to enjoy dinner. The dinner is from 6.30 p.m. - 8.30 p.m. on December 31st at the Tommorrowland Terrace Noodle Station. Dinner includes dessert and non-alcolohic sparkling beverages. After dinner, you and your family will settle down in exclusive, reserved seating for the holiday Wishes! fireworks show.
The menu includes fresh fruits, assorted cheeses, sushi, salads, seared tuna, artisan breads, beef short-ribs, and carved pork. Kid friendly foods such as macaroni and cheese and chicken nuggets will also be available.
The Magic Kingdom’s New Year’s Eve Wishes! dining experience costs $139.99 for guests age 10 and up and $69.99 for guests ages 3 to 9. Children under 3 can dine for free.
The second offering is the Fantasy in the Sky Dessert Party which starts at 9.50pm. This event features a self service buffet offering a variety of deserts and non-alcoholic beverages. The dessert party costs $35.99 for guests age 10 and up and $19.99 for guests ages 3 to 9.
Theme park admission is required for both events.
For reservations call: (407) WDW-DINE
