California Grill to Offer 'Brunch at the Top' Beginning 2/7, Memory Maker Sees Price Reduction, and More

California Grill to Offer 'Brunch at the Top' Beginning 2/7:

The California Grill at Disney's Contemporary Resort will begin offering a Sunday Brunch in February called 'Brunch at the Top.' For the first time ever the restaurant, who usually offers the sights of the beautiful skyline around the Walt Disney World resort at night, will begin with the sights during the daytime.

The new Brunch at the Top is the perfect way to indulge on a leisurely Sunday – not quite breakfast, not quite lunch. Chef Brian Piasecki’s team is excited to launch a whole new menu to showcase their fresh, market-driven cuisine. Of course a glass of bubbly or wine (the restaurant has more than 1,600 bottles on display) pairs nicely. And there’s an over-the-top Bloody Mary Bar as well as cocktails and craft brews, as well as a signature brunch cocktail and faux “mimosas” for kids (though you can also stick with the custom-roast French press coffee).
To start the experience Brunch at the Top will offer an assortment of house-made breakfast pastries (such as caramel apple Monkey bread, Tillamock Cheddar biscuit, and cranberry scones pecan) delivered to your table with house-made jams and a orange blossom honey butter. At the show kitchen small tastes will be offered such as orange honey ham, deviled Lake Meadow Natural eggs, Greek Yogurt with vanilla-scented granola and fresh berries, kale and apple salad, among other offerings.

The main courses will be delivered table side and here is what you will choose from:

• Pan-Fried Buttermilk Organic Chicken Cutlet with Haricots Verts, Toasted Almonds, Frisée, Beurre Noisette;
• Sweet Potato Pancakes with Caramelized Heirloom Apples, Dried Cranberry and Raisin Compote, Vanilla
• Custard, Warm Canadian Maple Syrup;
• Shrimp and Grits, Gulf White Shrimp with Tillamook Cheddar Grits, Spicy Tomato Broth,
  Espellette-Spiced Tomato Ragout;
• Poached Lobster Benedict with Butter-Poached Tail, Two Soft-Poached Eggs, Honey Ham,
  Yuzu Hollandaise, Marble Potato Hash;
• Chef’s Frittata with Three Lake Meadow Farms Eggs, Florida Heirloom Tomatoes, Roasted Poblanos, Chorizo, Creamy Goat Cheese, Marble Potato Hash;
• Grilled Flat Iron Steak with Soft Poached Eggs, Chimichurri, Marble Potato Hash and Charred Red Onion.

For dessert if there is room will include sweet mini desserts, macaroons, and chocolate truffles all while enjoying the beautiful skyline. Cost will be $80 for adults and $48 for children ages 3-11. Reservations can be made beginning this Wednesday December 16 by calling 407-WDW-DINE or by visiting DisneyWorld.com/DINE.

Memory Maker Sees Price Reduction:

Disney announced today that their PhotoPass Memory Maker has decreased in price, a rarity for Disney. For guests who choose to purchase Memory Maker in advance the new price is $149, down from $169. For guests who choose not to purchase in advance the price will be $169, down from $199. 

Memory Maker allows guests with the special photo package to have all their family members included in photos. Guests simply go to Disney PhotoPass photographers around the resort and then guests are allowed to download the photos when they get home. It also allows you to download on-ride photos, receive Animated Magic shots, and as well as your photos taken in restaurants. 

Will you be purchasing Memory Maker the next time you visit Walt Disney World.

Disney Legend Dick Van Dyke Celebrates 90th at Disneyland:

Disney Legend Dick Van Dyke celebrated his 90th birthday yesterday at Disneyland along with family, friends, and fans. Van Dyke received a special dedication at the Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe, a cavalcade parade down Main Street, USA, and a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday." Van Dyke on his celebration, "This is the cherry on top of my entire life." He added that when he was younger he wanted to be in a Disney movie but yesterday topped being in "Mary Poppins." Here is a video of Van Dyke's Celebration: