Shanghai Disneyland's Toy Story Land to Open April 26; DCA Food & Wine Expands to Six Weeks

Shanghai Disneyland's Toy Story Land to Open April 26:

Last week, we got our first look at concept art for Shanghai Disneyland's first expansion for its 7th themed land in Toy Story Land. Yesterday, during Day 3 of the 12 Days of Disney Parks Christmas on the Disney Parks Blog an opening date was revealed for the land.

Toy Story Land will open on April 26, 2018. The expansion includes three brand new attractions in Slinky Dog Spin, Rex's Racer, and Woody's Roundup, a restaurant called the Toy Box Cafe, and a meet and greet area in Old West where you can meet your favorite Toy Story characters. You can read our story about the expansion here. 

The new land will bring unparalleled storytelling and creativity, making this international destination bigger and better than ever. Stay tuned for updates on this Toy Story Land opening in Shanghai and our own Toy Story Land at Disney's Hollywood Studios right here on It All Started With a Mouse. 

Source: Disney Parks Blog

Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival Expands to 6 Weeks in 2018:

The first story in yesterday's Day 3 of the 12 Days of Disney Parks Christmas was that the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival will expand to 6 weeks in 2018. It will run from March 2 through April 12, 2018 bringing delicious cuisine, specialty beverages, and exciting entertainment as it makes it return for the third straight year. 

More than a dozen Festival Marketplaces will feature California-inspired tastes and sips. Guests will experience presentations and demonstrations with celebrity chefs such as Robert Irvine and Alex Guarnaschelli; food and beverage tastings; winemaker dinners; beer, wine and spirit seminars – all in addition to live music, entertainment and special activities throughout the festival.
The festival’s signature events will include new experiences such as the Disney Family of Wines Dinner, as well as returning favorites like Sweet Sundays and the Winemaker or Brewmaster Dinners. Another guest-favorite returning to the festival is the Junior Chef experience, with hands-on fun led by Chef Goofy, for children ages 3 to 11.

Stay tuned for more details on the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival as they are revealed in the future.

Source: Disney Parks Blog

Menus for DCA Food & Wine Festival; Details for Bon Voyage Character Dining to Debut April 2

Menus for Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival:

This year's Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival is just around the corner. Today, the menus which have a great inspiration from California Cuisine. This years festival booths have nearly doubled from last year. Hear they are:

Nuts About Cheese

• Brie toast with fig and mint and roasted California almond crumble
• Baked ham and Swiss cheese croque monsieur roll with smoked pistachios
• Chèvre fromage blanc tartine infused with rosemary and honey, topped with toasted hazelnuts
• Almond milk tea with pudding

Uncork California

• White wine flight
• Red wine flight
• Mimosa flight

I Heart Artichokes

• artichoke carbonara with garlic aioli and smoked bacon
• Grilled and chilled artichoke hearts with Romesco sauce
• Creamy artichoke and dark chocolate cake pop
• Orange iced tea with orange pearls

Garlic Kissed

• Grilled beef tenderloin slider with chimichurri sauce
• Black garlic soy-braised pork belly bao with pickled vegetables
• Garlic-rosemary and avocado oil ice cream pop

California Craft Brews

• Southern California flight
• Northern California flight

Olive Us

• Chilled Cioppino soup with shrimp, crab claw and grilled olive bread
• Warm olive focaccia with olive oil and sea salt
• Vanilla bean crème fraîche panna cotta with Amarena cherry jus and EVOO madeleine

Bacon Twist

• Baby iceberg and heirloom tomato wedge with peppered bacon and blue cheese dressing
• Smoked bacon mac and cheese with barbecue-seasoned crispy onions
• Maple-bacon Whoopie Pie

Lemon Grove

• Roasted cauliflower and Meyer lemon-infused Dannon Oikos® Greek nonfat yogurt cauliflower puree with sundried tomatoes and fried capers
• Duck confit on potato smash with Meyer lemon preserves
• Meyer lemon macaron with blueberry marmalade, Meyer lemon cream and blueberry dust
• Cherry lemonade with cherry pearls

Seafood…Sustained

• Verlasso® sustainable salmon tataki with avocado-wasabi puree and Furikake dust
• Cage-free cream cheese deviled eggs with farm-raised smoked trout and chives
• Passion fruit posset and coconut chia with mango compote and jelly
• Mango agua fresca

The Onion Lair

• French onion mac and cheese topped with parmesan crumble and chives
• Braised Wagyu beef on creamy polenta with haricot vert and red onion salad and roasted Cipollini onion
• Chocolate-hazelnut and raspberry Feuillete tart
• Strawberry pineapple float with vanilla ice cream and strawberry pearls

Off the Cob

• Sweet corn nuggets with beef chili, spring onions and sour cream
• Jackfruit carnitas banh mi nachos with cilantro crèma and “pickled” de gallo
• Roasted sweet corn custard tart with honey tuille and smoked chili-infused chocolate sauce

Sweet & Sourdough

• Bay shrimp Louie salad served in a mini Boudin sourdough boule
• White cheddar lager soup topped with bacon, served in a mini Boudin sourdough boule
• Milk chocolate sourdough bread pudding with vanilla bean sauce

LAStyle

• Chicken Teriyaki slider with spicy Dole® pineapple jam
• Korean barbecue beef short rib tacos with Kimchi slaw
• Fresh strawberry compote, lemon verbena and vanilla bean shortcake parfait
• Dole® Pineapple-strawberry Float with vanilla ice cream and strawberry pearls

Paradise Garden Grill Beer Garden

• Beer-battered cod served with steak fries, sweet slaw and spiced remoulade
• Potato and cheese pierogis with vegetarian sausage served with grilled Anaheim chilies, caramelized onions and sour cream
• Beer-braised pork tacos served with pickled apple slaw, black beans and queso
• Sausage platter trio served with braised red cabbage and warm potato salad
• Large soft pretzel served with beer-mustard dipping sauce
• Salted caramel budino with vanilla bean Chantilly cream
• Bienenstich cake with honey-glazed almonds, filled with vanilla bean custard

This year's Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival begins March 10 and runs through April 16. 

Details on the New Bon Voyage Character Dining to Debut April 2 at Disney's Boardwalk:

A few weeks ago a new character dining experience was announced for Trattoria al Forno at Disney's Boardwalk. Today, the details on the new character breakfast were revealed along with a start date of April 2. Hear guests can meet with Flynn Rider, Rapunzel, Ariel, and Prince Eric in the new Bon Voyage Breakfast. Here is the menu:

It will start off with your choice of mixed berry parfait or fresh fruit salad and a frying pan of pastries that will feature braided breakfast bread and clam shell pastries. Entrees for the breakfast include:

                                                        “Shipwreck al Forno”
                                 Calzone with scrambled Eggs, Soppressata, Bacon, Sausage,
                                                         Blend of Cheeses and Sunday Gravy

“Golden Frittata”
Prosciutto di Parma, Piquillo Peppers, Green Onion,
Pecorino Romano and Roasted Potatoes

“Tangled Eggs”
Tomato & Basil Scrambled Eggs,
Fresh Mozzarella, Sunday Gravy and Roasted Potatoes

“Two Eggs Poached Under Water”
House-made Fennel sausage, Parmesan, and Sunday Gravy
over Golden Polenta and Toasted Ciabatta

“Tower of Pancakes”
Seasonal Buttermilk Pancakes with Bacon or Sausage

“Royal Breakfast”
Oak-Grilled Steak, Cheesy Egg Torte, Asparagus,
Crispy Onions and Roasted Potatoes

“Swimmers di ‘light'”
Smoked Salmon Egg White Omelet with Spinach, Mushrooms,
Tomatoes, Goat Cheese and Roasted potatoes

Kids will enjoy their choice of a Mickey Pancake, Mickey Waffle or a “Little Royal Breakfast,” which will feature an egg, bacon and toast. Breakfast will also include your choice of non-alcoholic beverage such as coffee, tea juice, milk and soft drinks. Mimosas, a Peach Bellini, cappuccino, press pot coffee and more will be available as an additional charge.

Cost for the new dining experience will be $34 for adults and $20 for children ages 3-9. Note: Characters join guests for breakfast only an character appearances are subject to change.

Source: Disney Parks Blog

Reservations Open Now for DCA Food & Wine Premium Events; #DisneyParksLIVE from the Disney Wonder

Reservations Now Open for Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Premium Events:

The Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival returns next month running from March 10 through April 16. Today, reservations opened for the premium events that will be held during this year's festival. Here is what the Disney Parks Blog released on 4 of the events:

The popular “In the Kitchen with…” series debuts for the 2017 Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival. See your favorite celebrity chefs Guy Fieri, Robert Irvine, Cat Cora, G. Garvin, Graham Elliot and Jet Tila demonstrate their skills in the kitchen, try a tasting menu created by the chef and even get an autograph! Cost is $99 per person, plus tax and gratuity. 

The popular Sweet Sundays events are back! Join celebrity pastry chefs Duff Goldman, Emily Ellyn and Keegan Gerhard as they show how to make some of their delectable desserts. Cost is $79 per person, plus tax and gratuity. 

Winemaker Dinners highlight wines from California vintners Duckhorn Vineyards and Flora Springs Winery, with a four-course meal carefully selected to enhance the flavor of the wine. While you dine, enjoy insights and inspiration behind the pairings by a knowledgeable winemaker. Cost is $150 per person, plus tax and gratuity. 

A special Winemaker Dinner featuring Disney Family of Wines includes Fess Parker Winery, GoGi Wines, Lasseter Family Winery and Silverado Vineyards. The wineries at this event each have a special connection to the Disney legacy. Cost is $200 per person, plus tax and gratuity. 

Beer lovers, rejoice! New to this year’s festival, Brewmaster Beer Dinners feature prix fixe dinners where hand-selected beers from California-based breweries will be paired and served with a four-course specialty menu prepared by Disney chefs. Knowledgeable brewmasters present each beer and describe the chef’s inspiration for the pairing. Cost is $150 per person, plus tax and gratuity.

There will be plenty more to do during the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival such as learning cooking techniques and sample taste testings from visiting local chefs as well as Disneyland chefs in Culinary Demonstrations. Experience Beverage Seminars featuring guided tastings of wine, beer, or spirits. Let's not forget the kids as kids ages 3-11 will partake in a returning event called Jr. Chef, that is complimentary and will occur daily during the festival.

Events taking place March 10 through April 1 are now available to book, and reservations will continue to become available 60 days prior to each event’s date. To view a full listing of Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival events or to make reservations visit Disneyland.com/FoodAndWine.

Source: Disney Parks Blog

#DisneyParksLIVE Stream of "Frozen, A Musical Spectacular" Aboard Disney Wonder:

Tune in tomorrow morning, February 2, on the Disney Parks Blog for special sneak peak of "Frozen, A Musical Spectacular" aboard the Disney Wonder in a special #DisneyParksLIVE stream. The stream will begin at 10:50 a.m. EST with a fresh blog post on the blog.

"Frozen, A Musical Spectacular" is the latest Broadway-style musical by Disney Cruise Line. The new show features an innovative combination of traditional theatrical techniques, modern technology, and classic Disney whimsy. 

They are encouraging fans to follow along on social media using the hashtags #DisneyParksLIVE and #DisneyCruise. This will be the first time #DisneyParksLIVE will be streamed aboard Disney Cruise Line. 

Sounds Like Summer Concert Series Lineup, Meet Disney Legend Kurt Russell and More During DCA Food & Wine, and More

Sounds Like Summer Concert Series Lineup Announced:

The Sounds Like Summer Concert Series will be returning to Epcot's World Showcase beginning June 5 and run through July 23. Three new tribute bands will be coming this summer including tributes to Fleetwood Mac, Tina Turner, and Bruce Springsteen. Don't Look Back, a tribute to Boston, will kick off the summer concert series on June 5.

Here is the rest of the lineup:

• June 5-11: Don’t Look Back – A Tribute to Boston
• June 12-18: Hotel California – A Salute to the Eagles
• June 19-24: Rumours – A Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band
• June 25-July 1: Simply Tina – A Tribute to Tina Turner
• July 2-9: Stayin’ Alive – A Tribute to the Bee Gees
• July 10-16: Bruce in the USA – A Tribute to Bruce Springsteen
• July 17-23: DSB – A Tribute to Journey

Showtimes for each concert will be performed three times daily at 5:30, 6:45, and 8 p.m. Performances are included with Epcot admission.

Meet Disney Legend Kurt Russel & More During DCA Food & Wine Festival:

The Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival begins today and will run through the rest of the month on the weekends. An additional event has been added to the festival where you will meet Disney Legend, Actor, and Wine Maker Kurt Russell.

The event called, A Conversation with Kurt Russell, will take place on April 16, 2016. The event will last 90 minutes in a question and answer session on his personal journey in winemaking and will even  be completed with wine tasting. The event will cost $199 plus tax and gratuity. Guests can make reservations by calling 714-781-DINE.

If you miss the event, several restaurants inside Disneyland Resorts and Disney California Adventure will be offering Kurt Russell wines by the glass. This includes: Napa Lounge & Restaurant at Disneyland's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Steakhouse 55 at Disneyland Hotel, and Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge at Disney California Adventure.

Here is the rest of the list of Celebrity Kitchen events held throughout the festival at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.:

• April 2: Robert Irvine – Restaurant: Impossible
• April 9: Andrew Sutton – Executive Chef, Disneyland Resort Signature Dining (1 p.m. only)
• April 9: Guy Fieri – Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (5 p.m. only)
• April 16: Keegan Gerhard – Food Network Challenge and Hayden Wood – Flair Bartender (5 p.m. only)
• April 23: G. Garvin – Road Trip with G. Gavin
• April 30: Graham Elliot – MasterChef, MasterChef Junior

Each Celebrity Kitchen experience will take place at Stage 17 inside Disney California Adventure and will cost $99 plus tax and gratuity. Reservations can be made by calling 407-781-DINE or by visiting Disneyland.com/foodandwine. 

Special Sneak Peak at "The Jungle Book" Led by Lupita Nyong'o:

Today, Disney released a special sneak peak of "The Jungle Book" telling us the legend of Mowgli and how he came to the jungle. The special piece features Lupita Nyong'o, mother wolf Raksha, leading the narration into the special sneak peak. We see Kaa (Scarlett Johansson) opening the clip telling Mowgli how he came to the jungle. Here is the clip:

Live the legend of @TheJungleBook with @Lupita_Nyongo, who plays Raksha, the mother wolf.https://t.co/kFCAQKz0wc

— Disney (@Disney) April 1, 2016

"The Jungle Book" opens in theaters in two weeks on April 15, 2016.

Marketplace Menus for DCA Food & Wine Festival Released; IllumiNations to Live Stream on Monday 3/21

Marketplace Menus for Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival Released:

Today, the Disney Parks Blog released a little preview of the menus that are coming to the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival. The festival will occur on weekends during the month of April. There will be eight themed marketplaces as well as several restaurants from the park also serving special-festival inspired menu items. Here is the run-down:

Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival Marketplaces:

LAstyle:
Chilled Ahi Poke with avocado crème and Wakame salad, topped with sesame tuile
Pork Belly Bao Taco with pickled vegetables
Milk Chocolate Caramel Tart with almond brittle and sea salt

The Vineyard:
Cabernet Flight
Chardonnay Flight
Pinot Noir Flight
Wine and Cuvée by the glass

Wine Country:
Zinfandel-Braised Wagyu Beef with creamy polenta and spring pea puree
Roasted Yellow Beets and Purple Haze Goat cheese with baby greens, green ver jus, sultanas and cashews
Blackberry Tart with rosemary vanilla bean crème fraîche and a Cabernet wine glaze

¡Viva Fresca!:
Fried Shrimp Soft Taco with pickled red onion-jalapeno, queso fresco and avocado-lime crèma
Anaheim Chile and Roasted Cauliflower Burrito with Jack cheese and avocado-lime crèma

Gold Rush:
Triple Cheese Mac with Smoked Chicken featuring Fontina, Cheddar and Gouda cheeses
Artichoke Chips with Spicy Aioli
Apple Bacon Whoopie Pie with maple cream cheese icing and bacon brittle

The Brewhouse:

Southern California Beer Flight
Northern California Beer Flight
Craft beers by the glass

The Farm:
Grilled Beef Tenderloin Slider with chimichurri sauce
Golden Thai Vegetable Curry with jasmine rice
Meyer Lemon Macaron with blackberry marmalade, Meyer lemon cream and dried bluberry dust

By the Bay:

White Cheddar Ale and Bacon Soup, served in a Boudin sourdough mini-boule
Chilled Shrimp and Snow Crab Cocktail
Coconut Tapioca layered with fresh mango and lychee boba, topped with green tea micro sponge and mango-couli sesame tuile

Festival-Inspired Menu Items at Disney California Adventure Restaurants:

Carthay Circle Restaurant:
Specialty menu item and wine pairing every week

Carthay Circle Lounge:
Carthay Cobb Salad
Caribbean Club Sandwich

Pacific Wharf Café:
Dungeness Crab Corn Chowder served in a Boudin sourdough boule

Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill:
Shredded Pork Tostadas with grilled pineapple slaw and chipotle crèma

Lucky Fortune Cookery:

Chicken and Vegetable Dumplings

Wine Country Trattoria:
Fresh Strawberry and Pistachio Cream Tart, paired with a featured wine

Mendocino Terrace, Sonoma Terrace and Hollywood Backlot Studio Bars:
Sausage and Cheese Plate
Fruit and Cheese Plate

Hollywood Backlot Studio Bars:

Soft Twisted Pretzel with Cheese Sauce
Fruit and Cheese Plate
Sausage and Cheese Plate

For more information on this year's Food & Wine Festival at Disney California Adventure or to make reservations for premium experiences visit Disneyland.com/foodandwine.

Disney Parks Blog to Live Stream IllumiNations on Monday 3/21:

The Disney Parks Blog has announced its next #DisneyParksLIVE stream for 'IllumiNations' for this Monday coming up March 21. The live stream will begin at 8:50 p.m. EDT. 'IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth" at Epcot will promptly begin at 9:00 p.m. EST. A new blog on the Disney Parks Blog will appear on the blog when the stream goes live.

"IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth" is Epcot's nighttime spectacular that celebrates the spirit of humanity through fireworks, lighting effects, moving music, and more. The centerpiece of the show is a 350,000-lb "Earth Globe" that serves as a spherical video display system where the majority of the show takes place. 

Will you be tuning in?

What's Next for Disney Infinity 3.0?, Premium Experiences Coming to DCA Food & Wine Festival, and More

What's Next for Disney Infinity 3.0?

In a presentation today called Disney Infinity Next, we found out just what was next for Disney's hit video game. For the second straight year, Disney Infinity was the no. 1 game in the toys to life and category and they hope to continue for a third year in 2016.

While their won't be a Disney Infinity 4.0 to hit the market this year, Disney Infinity 3.0 will be expanded like never before. First with the release of the new Marvel play set, Marvel Battlegrounds on March 15. With the release they announced three new characters in Ant-Man, the Black Panther, and Vision.

Also being released with be the Black Suit Spiderman, which had previously only been a digital release on the Playstation Vita. Additional characters will also be released but were not announced during the presentation. Here is also the new trailer for Marvel Battlegrounds:

Also announced that were be also new play sets released for Star Wars (probably Rogue One), Pixar, and Disney all this year in 2016. With next month's release of "The Jungle Book" we will also get a new Disney character in Baloo figure.

Today, also marked the release of two figures from Disney's "Zootopia" that will hit theaters this Friday, March 4 in Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde. 

Premium Experiences Coming to Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival:

We are now a month away from the return of the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival taking place on weekends during the month of April. Today, the Disney Parks Blog announced you now can make reservations for the premium experiences throughout the festival. Here is the rundown from the Disney Parks Blog:

"Culinary Demonstrations featuring some of the best chefs in the industry, including some of your favorites from the Disneyland Resort, will take place on the Backlot Stage in Hollywood Land. Don’t miss your chance to learn a new technique during these 30-minute complimentary presentations. Seating is limited, so be sure to arrive early.

Conducted in the relaxing setting of the Sonoma Terrace at the Golden Vine Winery, Beverage Seminars are fun and informative; sure to quench your thirst for knowledge about wine, beer and spirits. The 45-minute seminars include up to 3 tastings. Cost is $15 per person plus tax.

Stage 17 in Hollywood Land will be host to the Celebrity Kitchen. See some of the biggest names of the culinary world, including superstar chefs Guy Fieri, Graham Elliot, Claudia Sandoval, Robert Irvine and Disneyland Resort Signature Dining Chef Andrew Sutton, as they share tips, treasured recipes and behind-the-scenes-stories while they show you how to create their personal favorite dishes. An autograph signing will follow each chef appearance. Cost is $99 per person, plus tax and gratuity."

For Annual Passholders at Disneyland, a Celebrity Kitchen VIP experience will be available with premium seating, priority access for the autograph session, plus a special gift. This will cost $149 plus tax and gratuity. 

Also Beyond the Kitchen: Lifestyle Seminars will celebrate Springtime in beautiful California will be held in Hollywood Land. These seminars will be an opportunity to learn more about exciting topics including gardening, horticulture, and health & wellness. 

Two New Features Coming Soon to MyMagic+ at Disney World:

Two new features will be coming soon to MyMagic+ at Disney World. Beginning in April, guests will finally be able to add a fourth option to their FastPass+ on their mobile devices. These reservations will be able to be made through the My Disney Experience app instead of going to the kiosks throughout the parks. 

The second feature coming soon will be a slow rollout throughout the parks in the new feature called, StoryMaker. This feature which was supposed to debut during the release of MyMagic+ but wasn't released due to the complexity of the feature. StoryMaker allows attractions to interact with guests, using information provided by guests through their MyMagic+ profile. 

For example, a character like Mickey Mouse will greet you by name. While Disney has not announced either of the features, it is expected to be released to the public soon. 

Food & Wine Returning to California Adventure; Episode VIII Filming Begins with Teaser, and More

Food & Wine Festival Returning to Disney California Adventure:

Californians rejoice! The Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival is returning April 1 on weekends during the month of celebration at the park. The festival will be filled with fabulous new tastes and will awaken your senses.

It will celebrate some of the best of delicious California cuisine. A new distinguishing feature will be the Festival Marketplaces, where guests can sip and savor delicious flavors from throughout the state of California. The festival will also include culinary demonstrations, appearances by celebrity chefs, and informative seminars. More details on the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival will be released soon so stay tuned for details. 

"Star Wars: Episode VIII" Filming Begins with Teaser Being Released:

With the release date being pushed back on "Episode VIII" to December 2017, who knew we would be this excited for a teaser. The film now being almost two years away has begun with principal photography beginning this morning at London's Pinewood Studios. With the beginning of production it appears as we may have got a look at the very first scene of "Episode VIII" with Rey giving Luke back his lightsaber. 

With the beginning of filming, we also now know who will be returning in the film as well as some new faces that have been announced. With Rian Johnson directing Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Issac, Lupita Nyong'o, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendolyn Christie, and Andy Serkis are all set to return for "Episode VIII." New faces to the film are Benicio Del Toro, Laura Dern, and newcomer Kelly Marie Tran.

Let the countdown begin as "Episode VIII" will hit theaters on December 15, 2017.

Frozen Ever After and Royal Summerhus to Now Open Summer 2016:

Well it appears as Frozen Ever After and the Royal Summerhus won't be opening in late Spring as originally thought. According WDWMagic and the Passholder Mickey Monitor (a publication for Annual Passholders) that was just released, the two new attractions coming to Epcot's Norway pavilion will now be opening this summer. This signifies that construction is taking a little bit longer than expected. 

As is expected with construction and Disney, this could be just Disney playing it safe as now the opening window of the two new attractions is quite wide. This also could signify just the official opening in the Summer with soft openings much sooner with the original set date of opening during late Spring. 

The Chew to Broadcast from Food & Wine Festival, Frozen 'Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique'-Type Experience Coming to DHS and more

'The Chew' Will Tape Shows from Epcot's Food & Wine Festival in October:

ABC's 'The Chew' is coming to Epcot in October to tape shows from Epcot's 20th Food & Wine Festival. Show hosts Mario Batali, Michael Symon, Clinton Kelly, Carla Hall, and Daphne Oz will join the festivities at the park by taping five shows October 7-9 in front of a live studio audience. The shows will air the following week, October 12-16, 2015. 

You can visit thechew.com for details on how to get tickets to the shows at Epcot. Along with the taping of the shows, 'The Chew' will be part of 2 new marketplaces where for the first time ever will expand into Future World. Both marketplaces will be located in the new 'Next Eats' festival area, one being called 'Sustainable Chew Marketplace' will have three delicious dishes from 'The Chew': Savory Pork Spareribs with Cheesy Mascarpone Grits, Ricotta & Zucchini Ravioli with Tomato Sauce, and Vanilla Panna Cotta with Fresh Figs and Pistachio Brittle. This eco-home-inspired marketplace will offer guests a chance to learn more about food growth and the importance of sustainability. All the food and its flavors will be harvested from The Land pavilion. The other marketplace, the 'Chew Lab' will be a cutting-edge marketplace inspired by food-science labs and the hottest culinary tech trends in collaboration with Disney Chefs and 'The Chew.'

Frozen Summer Fun is Getting a Frozen 'Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique'-Type Experience is Coming to Hollywood Studios:

'Frozen Summer Fun' is getting a Frozen-Style Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Experience that will run through mid-July until the end of 'Frozen Summer Fun' in September. While no exact details have been released on the experience but casting is underway for a Fairy Godmother-in-training equivalent role.

The plan will be for guests to experience Princess Anna and Queen Elsa make-overs complete with costumes, make-up, and hair much like at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. No location has been set in stone but it is rumored that the old American Idol audition rooms are the likely candidate for the location due to its proximity to the Frozen Sing Along show at Hyperion Theater. 

More information and pricing will be available once it is made public and official.

New 'Family Culinary Adventure' Coming to Disney's Contemporary Resort:

Beginning on July 8th, Disney's Contemporary Resort will offer a new 'Family Culinary Adventure' experience that will last 3.5 hours occurring two nights weekly at 5 p.m. It will take place in the Contemporary Convention Center where it will take guests backstage for a fun, interactive evening that will include time with Disney chefs, hands-on cooking and a 5-course meal served with beer and wine in the kitchen by a professional catering staff.

The event will be aimed for guests ages 9 and over, where groups of 30 guests will be split into five groups to each man a station in the kitchen. Here are the stations:

• Garde manger, is the French term for food produced in the cold kitchen, where guests learn how to make farmer cheese, from-scratch butter, and how to plate a gourmet salad on a rapidly moving electric belt in the professional kitchen.
• Sushi, with sushi chefs teaching the art of rolling sushi and sashimi. (This station may rotate with other culinary ideas.)
• Boucherie, or butcher station, where guests learn how to trim a beef tenderloin to make the perfect filet mignon.
• Pasta, with just three ingredients (semolina, olive oil and egg), guests learn to make tender noodles from scratch, along with fresh basil pesto.
• Patisserie, or bakery, where guests get to play with chocolate, mousse and other sweet endings.

The hour long prep will then see guests seated at a large table and served the 5-course meal they had just prepared. Guests will receive a chef's hat to take home, along with a Disney cookbook signed by the chef's. The whole experience will cost $175 plus tax for adults while children ages 9-12 will be $125 plus tax. To book or for more information guests can call 407-WDW-PLAY. 

Rasulo to Resign, Eat to the Beat Concert Acts Announced, and More

Disney CFO Jay Rasulo to Resign at the End of this Month:

We can all say goodbye to Jay Rasulo as he will be resigning by the end of this month as Disney's Chief Financial Officer. In what was all but assumed today Disney CFO Jay Rasulo said he would resign at the end of June with his future with the Walt Disney Company was in doubt. Possibly tipped as CEO Bob Iger's replacement all but ended when the company named Tom Staggs as Disney No. 2 as COO of the company earlier this year. 

Rasulo has said though that he won't be leaving the company altogether just yet as he will remain on as an adviser to Iger to assist in the transition. No replacement has been named as of yet for the position of CFO. 

In a statement released Iger said this about Rasulo, "Jay has been a valued colleague and friend, as well as a vital contributor to Disney's success, particularly in his roles as Chief Financial Officer and Chairman of Parks and Resorts division. I look forward to working with him in this new advisory role, where his strategic acumen and savvy insight will continue to benefit the company." Jay Rasulo joined the Walt Disney Company in 1986 as Director, Strategic Planning and Development. He took the role of CFO in January of 2010.

2015 Eat to the Beat Concert Series Acts Announced:

The 2015 Epcot Food & Wine Festival is just a few months away and that could only mean one thing, the return of the Eat to the Beat concert series. The acts have been announced headline by opening weekend act, former American Idol winner David Cook, as well as four new acts added to the list. The four new acts for this year's concert series include: Tiffany, Everclear, Maxi Priest, and Chaka Kahn. 

Here are the rest of the acts coming to the 2015 Eat to the Beat Concert Series: (Subject to Change)

• David Cook - September 25-27, 2015
• Wilson Phillips - September 28-29, 2015
• Christopher Cross - September 30 - October 1, 2015
• Starship - October 2-4, 2015
• Smash Mouth - October 5-7, 2015
• The Pointer Sisters - October 8-9, 2015
• 38 Special - October 10-11, 2015
• Rick Springfield - October 12-13, 2015
• Sugar Ray - October 14-16, 2015
• The S.O.S Band - October 17-18, 2015
• Air Supply - October 19-21, 2015
• Fuel - October 22-23, 2015
• Tiffany - October 24-25, 2015
• Dennis DeYoung - October 26-28, 2015
• Jo Dee Messina - October 29-30, 2015
• Everclear - October 31-November 1, 2015
• Boyz II Men - November 2-4, 2015
• Sister Hazel - November 5-6, 2015
• Big Bad Voodoo Daddy - November 7-9, 2015
• Hanson - November 10-12, 2015
• Maxi Priest - November 13-14, 2015
• Chaka Kahn - November 15-16, 2015

This year's Food & Wine Festival is the 20th anniversary of the festival at Epcot. The concert series as usual will take place at the American Gardens Theatre in America. Show times will be at 5:30, 6:45, and 8 p.m.

The Disney Parks Blog Shows Off Six New Desserts for Disneyland's Diamond Celebration:

Disneyland's 60th anniversary kicked off recently and today the Disney Parks Blog showed off 6 new desserts that will stay on menu's at the park throughout the celebration:

The Disneyland Park Diamond Lemon Cupcake at Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe - The lemony cupcake has white chocolate crunchy pearls, strawberry filling, and is topped with white chocolate Champagne mousse, blue buttercream decoration, silver coated white chocolate pearls, and a chocolate "D."

Disney California Adventure Park Diamond Orange Fiddler Cupcake at Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe - This orange flavored cupcake is topped with chocolate crunchy pearls, mixed berry filling, and topped with a Bavarian cream cheese mousse, decorations of silver dust pearls, blue buttercream trim, and a chocolate diamond. 

Diamond Tiramisu at Wine Country Trattoria at Disney's California Adventure - Layers of tiramisu made with sweetened Italian mascarpone cheese, Marsala wine, and espresso-soaked lady fingers topped with cocoa powder, chocolate curls, and espresso sauce.

Diamond Tiramisu

Meyer Lemon Creme Brûlée Tart at Blue Bayou Restaurant in Disneyland - A tangy and creamy Meyer lemon creme brûlée in a crunchy sweet tart shell topped with blueberry compote and a sparkly silver chocolate diamond.

White Chocolate Bavarian Diamond Strawberry-Rhubarb Shortcake at Carnation Cafe in Disneyland-  A smooth and creamy white chocolate Bavarian mousse that is shaped like a diamond resting on a vanilla cake finished on a plate of fresh strawberry-rhubarb sauce.

Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration Chocolate Cake

Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration Cake - This can be found at several locations including the Plaza Inn, Rancho Del Zocalo Restaurante, and Cafe Orleans in Disneyland, Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta in California Adventure, and Steakhouse 55 in the Disneyland Hotel. A chocolate layer cake with caramel ganache, chocolate crunchy pearls, fleur de sel, apricot compote, Pabana mousse (banana, passion fruit, mango, and lemon), and a chocolate truffle mousse topped with chocolate ganache and a sparkly silver chocolate diamond.