Pro Bowl Fever at Walt Disney World; Chef Paul Bocuse of Chefs de France & Monsieur Paul Passes Away

Pro Bowl Fever at Walt Disney World:

The Pro Bowl is back in Orlando this year taking place this Sunday, January 28. Of course, there will be many events leading up to the game taking place at Walt Disney World at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The AFC and NFC teams are training Wednesday starting at 10:30 and Thursday-Saturday starting at 11:30 am. Fans can also cheer on their favorite players from the AFC and NFC as they go against each other in unique competitions at the 2018 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown. Tickets for this event are sold out.

In addition to watching the players practice, fans can test their own football skills the NFL Pro Bowl Experience – a free, interactive fan zone with fun activities for the whole family. Open daily at 10 a.m. starting Wednesday, the NFL Pro Bowl Experience gives fans the opportunity to get even closer to the action with new football-related activities, immersive exhibits and sponsor activations.

After watching the pros, fans can get a look at the future at one of the NFL’s premier youth football events – the NFL FLAG Championships on Friday and Saturday. Fans interested in exclusive access to NFL-themed games and activities, youth football clinics and more, must register for the NFL Fan Mobile Pass.

NFL Pro Bowl Fun Run Series:

The Pro Bowl fun extends beyond the field, too. There’s a Pro Bowl Fun Run Series at the Track & Field Complex at ESPN Wide World of Sports on Saturday at 1 pm. The event features distances for runners of all ages and abilities, and participants will receive a finisher medallion, a race bib and a commemorative item, plus post-race refreshments. Runners can also expect to see some of their favorite Disney characters, Pro Bowl cheerleaders and mascots along the way. Spots are still available here.

There will be complimentary parking at ESPN Wide World of Sports, so fans cans participate in the fun all week long. Fans can also head over to Disney Springs for the NFL All-Star Pro Bowl Pep Rally on Saturday, January 27 at 4 p.m. The pep rally will feature special entertainment, games, NFL cheerleaders, Mascot appearances, and more!

Source: Disney Parks Blog

Chef Paul Bocuse of Chefs de France & Monsieur Paul Passes Away:

Over the weekend, Chef Paul Bocuse the chef and restauranteur behind both Chefs de France and Monsieur Paul in the France Pavilion at Epcot passed away at the age of 91. He opened Chefs de France in the pavilion when the park opened in 1982 and later opened Monsieur Paul in 2013. 

He was born in Collognes, France in 1926 and shared that "he had the luck" to among the first to be trained in the kitchens of La Mere Brazier and Fernand Point, which are considered to be the father of modern French cooking. 

Rest in Peace Monsieur Paul, you will be missed. 

Two Disney Parks Live Events in the next 3 Days; New Year's Eve at Walt Disney World

Two Disney Parks Live Events in the Next 3 Days:

Over the next few days, the Disney Parks Blog will have two #DisneyParksLIVE events. One tomorrow where the Magic Kingdom will celebrate the historic championship of the Chicago Cubs. The other being on Monday November 7, when #DisneyParksLIVE will live stream "A Frozen Holiday Wish" during the first Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party of the season.

First up, MVP Ben Zobrist, Addison Russell, and Javier Baez from the World Series Champion Chicago Cubs will be joined by Mickey Mouse as they parade down Main Street, USA. The live stream will begin at 4:40 p.m EST tomorrow. It will be streamed live on the Disney Parks Blog and on Facebook. 

In celebration of ending the longest championship drought in sports history by winning the World Series ending the 108-year drought. The players will be cheered on by throngs of fans as they parade down Main Street with Mickey. After the parade, the players will enjoy some special time in the parks with their families and friends.

Next up on Monday, the Disney Parks Blog will be live once again to celebrate the return of Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, with the very first "A Frozen Holiday Wish" castle lighting of the season. The live stream will begin at 6:25 p.m. EST on Monday, November 7. 

“A Frozen Holiday Wish,” features the royal sisters Anna and Elsa. Along with their friends, Olaf and Kristoff, Queen Elsa uses her incredible powers to present a gift to everyone in the kingdom – transforming Cinderella Castle into a glimmering ice palace for the holidays.

A new blog post will appear on the Disney Parks Blog when the live stream begins. Will you be tuning in to the next two live streams for Disney Parks Live. Users are encouraged to use the #DisneyParksLIVE on Twitter during the live streams.

New Year's Eve Events at Walt Disney World:

It's hard to believe but with the Christmas season already beginning at Disney World, that means 2017 is fast approaching. Will you be ringing in the new year at Walt Disney World? If so today, Disney announced its time to book these special events at several locations across the Walt Disney World Resort. Here is a list of what you can book:

• California Grill New Year’s Eve Dinner. The talented California Grill chefs create a dine-around style gala, with cooking stations throughout the restaurant. And we hear that the Disney characters will make appearances – along with Baby New Year. Wine and cocktails are included. And of course a spectacular view of the Magic Kingdom Park fireworks! 7:30 p.m.-midnight, $650. (Dinner jacket required for men.) 
• Victoria & Albert’s New Year’s Eve Dinner. Enjoy a luxurious evening in this AAA Five Diamond restaurant with gracious “butler-style” service, live harp music and personalized menus to remember the special evening. Dinner is 10 courses, including eight savory courses and two desserts including eclectic wines from around the world. Seatings between 6-7:45 p.m. $600.
• New Year’s Eve at Epcot World ShowPlace. The spacious World ShowPlace Events pavilion opens for an all-you-care-to-eat extravaganza. Great photo ops with fun vignettes for posing (but no Disney characters) and Disney tunes make this a real family affair. Soups, salads, hearty dishes and desserts – and the kids get their own station with favorites like mac ‘n cheese, meatballs, chicken fritters and more. Seatings available from 3-9 p.m., $72.90, $44.38 ages 3 to 11. Later in the evening, head out to the promenade for fireworks over World Showcase Lagoon to welcome 2017.
• Monsieur Paul New Year’s Eve Dinner. The elegant upstairs dining room at the France pavilion at Epcot will offer six seatings on New Year’s Eve: 11:45a.m., noon, 2:15p.m., 2:45p.m., 5:45p.m. and 6:15p.m. A four-course, prix fixe menu of classical French cuisine reflects the traditions of Chef Paul Bocuse, one of the most famous chefs in France (for whom the restaurant is named). Cost is $110.81. A special late-night dinner with two seatings at 8:45p.m. and 9:45p.m. offers and enhanced French menu, including Paul Bocuse’s famous Soupe aux Truffles V.G.E. Cost is $305.03.
• La Hacienda de San Angel New Year’s Dinner. This special evening at the Mexico pavilion in Epcot World Showcase starts at 9:30p.m. and ends at 1a.m., and includes a five-course prix fixe dinner, live music with the mariachi band and a fabulous view of the Epcot IllumiNations holiday show. Start the evening with a welcome margarita, then try the tequila pairing with the appetizers. Wine is served with the main course (surf n’ turf) and a dessert liqueur with the sweet ending.
• Narcoossee’s New Year’s Eve Dinner, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. A generous four-course menu is offered with seatings between from 5 and 5:45p.m. A five-course menu is offered with seating from 8:30-9:25p.m. for a late-night celebration with live music. The menus both feature favorites such as Narcoossee’s lobster bisque, seared Wagyu beef and pan-seared halibut. First seating $150 for adults, $70 children ages 3-9. Second seating $255 for adults, $95 for children ages 3-9.

For reservations, call 407-WDW-DINE.