Update: Sadly, Disney has restricted the video on youtube by setting it private. I hope they make it public again soon. In the meantime. Check out these other “Let it Go” covers we’ve posted on The Disney Blog Magic Kingdom Ragtime Pianist Jimmy Fallon and… Read More »Downtown Disney musicians impromptu, soulful video of “Let it Go” from Disney’s Frozen
If you want to have a big role in the future of Walt Disney World, you have to start somewhere. Many of today’s managers and executives started on the front line and worked their way to where they are now including the current President of… Read More »Help Wanted at Walt Disney World as they try to fill 1,000 new roles
We finally got the entire Frost family on Seven Dwarfs Mine Train together. Of course, I had to break out the camera and record the moment resulting in this on ride POV video taken from the back row. There is a bit of an extended… Read More »Seven Dwarfs Mine Train – On Ride POV Video
The Disney Blog crew was invited to spend a complimentary night at the Lake Buena Vista Resort Village, aka the Pirate Ship Pool hotel. We frequently drive by the hotel on the nearby 417 highway and every time we look at that huge pirate ship by the pool and wish we could stay there. It’s located behind the Lake Buena Vista Outlet Mall on the 535, just a short hop from EPCOT or Downtown Disney and close to all sorts of shopping and dining as well as the I-4 in case you want to visit any of the other Central Florida attractions.
Honestly, if you’re in Orlando to visit the theme parks, chances are you’re looking for a hotel that satisfies a few needs. It should be clean, relatively close to the attractions, have nearby shopping an dining, and a fantastic pool. For Lake Buena Vista Resort Village you can check all those things off. The resort then takes it to the next level with the fantastic themed pirates ship pool, a wonderful spa, and a restaurant that serves up some of the best fish-n-chips I’ve had in Orlando.
Over the weekend news broke that the caste of the American Idol Experience had been informed their show would be canceled early next year. Lower ratings on the TV show have resulted in low guest interest in the park attraction. However, managers are considering promotions like bringing back the popular American Idol Experience Junior Edition where kids 9-14 get their chance to perform before the January bow.
Walt Disney World and American Idol producers released this statement:
“After more than five successful years, The American Idol Experience will be coming to a close at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park in January 2015. Our partnership with FremantleMedia and 19 Entertainment has been a great addition to the park and we are very appreciative of the amazing cast and guests who have devoted their time and talent to make this experience special and memorable. We are incredibly proud of the more than 2,000 Dream Tickets that have given guests a chance to live their very own Cinderella story and audition for ‘American Idol’. This past season alone, three of the Top 13 contestants were originally discovered through The American Idol Experience and we expect the attraction to continue providing top contestants for ‘American Idol’ XIV in the coming year.”
The cast and crew of American Idol Experience worked hard to produce what I considered a great show. But its time was always going to be limited.
Follow me below the jump for a few more juicy rumors:
Read More »American Idol Experience to close at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Orlando has a thriving gourmet food truck scene thanks in large part to the Food Truck Bazaar. Nine unique trucks will join five Disney trucks in one big event on June 21st from 5pm to 10pm at Downtown Disney in the Cirque du Soleil courtyard.… Read More »Food Truck Bazaar to visit Downtown Disney on June 21
Do you love mac-n-cheese? Does your mac-n-cheese have a secret ingredient that sets it above the rest? Join Give Kids The World (GKTW) for the inaugural O-Town MacDown and enjoy an afternoon of fun and food the whole family will enjoy! Come stuff your face… Read More »O-town MacDown a Delicious Fundraiser for Give Kids The World
The Seattle based coffee house chain Starbucks has made it to Downtown Disney Orlando in a big way. In the last few weeks, it has opened two locations in the shopping and entertainment district to go with the two locations already inside Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. Fans of the dark brew will be able to get their cup of joe on the go nearly anytime they want.
In addition to the usual Starbucks location items, the Westside location includes a wide selection of food and baked goods plus their reserve coffees which are brewed in the new Clover system.
The store itself is nearly 4,000 square feet and features indoor and outdoor seating. The outdoor patio features a moss wall with the iconic Starbucks logo mermaid and a nice view of the water. Inside there is a magical portal that connects the Anaheim Downtown Disney location with the Orlando one with a chalkboard like interactive interface.
There’s more green in the store than just the moss wall. The location is also the 500th Starbucks store to have a LEED designation.
I’m also a little excited about the odd structure out there in the courtyard between the new Starbucks and the Harley Davidson location. It’s the first part of Disney Springs new vision for the Westside to be constructed. Eventually there will be a longer area of ‘highline’ to dance and dine on above Westside. It looks good so far, and the scale definitely seems right.
Heading out to Walt Disney World to pick up a cup of Starbucks? Be sure to refill your Starbucks Card online before you go.
More photos below the jump:
Read More »Starbucks opens First Company Owned Store at Walt Disney World