Disney Parks, Resorts, & Entertainment

NEW! 2014 Walt Disney World Marathon Dooney and Bourke Bags

26 November 2013 by Suzannah Otis 4 Comments

Disney and Dooney & Bourke are switching things up yet again with a whole new design for the 2014 Walt Disney World Marathon bag designs! Brightly colored and featuring Mickey Mouse, Goofy, and Dumbo (for the Goofy’s Challenge and Dumbo Double Dare medals) and other familiar Disney icons. Also written on the print are “Run Around the World” “Go Go Go” and “Finisher“. Looks like a super fun way to show off your amazing accomplishment all year long!

The bags come in three styles:

Tote – $246.10 Wristlet – $90.95 Crossbody – $208.65 – prices include tax

Right now purses are available to order for registered runners on the RunDisney Active.com page and will be available in the Wide World of Sports Expo Center but I have a feeling these won’t be around long! More info and larger pictures soon!

Here are some photos from the RunDisney WDW Marathon Expo:

The Expo is located at the ESPN Wide World of Sports and is open Friday from 8am – 7pm and Saturday from 10am – 4pm. The Dooney and Bourke center is located to the left when you enter the WWOS, outside Champion Stadium. Good luck to all the runners and purse buyers out there! 😉

NEW Minnie Mouse LeSportsac and Disney Bags Celebrate Minnie!

1 November 2013 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

We mentioned on Zannaland in our last LeSportsac post that the “it’s a small world” designs would not be the end of LeSportsac + Disney and it looks like we were right! LeSportsac recently announced on their blog a few weeks back that they were bringing out a whole new line featuring Minnie Mouse. The Celebrate Minnie print is now available for pre-order and, like all LeSportsac bags, super cute with a size for just about every need and look! Check out the official info below from LeSportsac:

Though the popular Disney It’s a Small World collaboration came to an end with its final collection this Fall, LeSportsac is teaming up with Disney once again to look back at Minnie Mouse through the decades with Celebrate Minnie print.

Minnie has been reinventing her look for close to 90 years, and now you can witness her transformation (and ever so glamorous wardrobe) through the years in one fun print! In the 1920′s Minnie was classically chic in black and white, while the 30′s introduced a more colorful look when she first started sporting her iconic polka-dot outfits. The 40′s brought her signature bow, and she stayed on trend throughout the fashion revolutions of the 50′s, 60′s, and 70′s – including a flower-power mini-dress with platform shoes! In the 80′s she was working out in her sneakers and sweatshirt, during the 90′s she rocked a ruffled skirt and denim jacket, and the new millennium brought her back to her polka-dot roots. Today Minnie is an inspiration and muse for fashionistas around the world!

LeSportsac Minnie Mouse — Now I don’t recall 1970 Minnie Mouse at all, but I LOVE her! I really liked when Minnie had different outfits all the time rather than her now signature red with white polka dots. What is your favorite time-period?

Offered in 18 Classic styles, the Disney Minnie Mouse for LeSportsac Collection is set to hit LeSportsac.com and LeSportsac Boutiques in mid-to-late November but you can pre-order now by calling 1-877-397-6597!

Here are examples of some of my favorite LeSportsac styles – but you can see them all at the Minnie Collection page.

Can’t get enough LeSportsac + Disney designs? I’ve actually got a giveaway going on *right now* on Instagram only, giving away a Kasey bag in the Polynesian Paradise print. Head to instagram.com/zannaland to find the giveaway instructions, and be sure to use the hashtag #zannalandgiveaway when you re-post it on Instagram. That giveaway ends 11/13. Good luck! And that’s not all – I’ll be doing THREE more giveaways from the Small World collection, both here on the blog and elsewhere, so stay tuned!

LeSportsac Zannaland Giveaway — Re-post this on Instagram only to enter! 🙂

EXCLUSIVE: Dooney and Bourke Disney Cruise Line Charms Bags

31 October 2013 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

I was recently lucky enough to be on the “Re-Imagined” Disney Magic cruise ship, the first in Disney Cruise Line’s fleet of magical ships. While I loved every inch of the new updates, restaurants, adult lounges and kids clubs, imagine my excitement when I strolled past the newly designed shopping area to see BRAND NEW Disney Cruise Line Dooney & Bourke bags! This design is in the same style as the “Charms” print, which at Disney Parks comes in black or white. Here on the Magic, it comes in a nautical blue, with DCL-specific charms, like the DCL logo, the Mickey cruise logo, and sailor Mickey and Minnie, along with some fun accents like anchors, a porthole, a ship and a treasure chest. My friend and I had a wonderful time choosing just the right pattern for our purses, which is half the fun in getting a Disney Dooney & Bourke.

Now I had assumed this would be a new print available on ALL Disney Cruise Line ships, but we were told it was actually exclusive to the Disney Magic ship. There is nothing on the bags to designate being just from the Magic, in fact there are no ship names at all. That news definitely convinced me to pick one up, since I’ll be sailing on the Fantasy in 2 days, but didn’t want to miss out on this new bag! I will confirm or deny this fact about being a Disney Magic exclusive next week when I return!

And now, without further ado, here are the new Dooneys!

Disney Cruise Line Dooney Charms Bag — Admiring these through the window before the shop opened!

Which is your favorite? I picked up a cross-body because I just couldn’t resist – perfect park (or cruise) bag!

Where to get Disney Dooney & Bourke bags in Disney Parks –

Walt Disney World Resort:

Tren-D and the World of Disney Store in the Downtown Disney Marketplace
Uptown Jewelers in Magic Kingdom Park
MouseGear at Epcot
Keystone Clothiers at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Summer Lace at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Disneyland Resort:

Disney Vault 28 and World of Disney Store in the Downtown Disney District
Disney Clothiers at Disneyland park
Elias & Co. at Disney California Adventure park

The Disney Parks online store carries many Disney Dooney & Bourke designs. See other new Dooney and Bourke Arrivals Exclusively for Disney Parks Now Available at DisneyStore.com! Shop Now!*

*Affiliate links – same Disney Store destination and shopping experience, with a small portion of any purchase going back to zannaland.com. No additional fees to you.

Guest Post: Trick-or-Treating in and Around Walt Disney World

30 October 2013 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

I would like to welcome guest author Michelle Rise who wanted to share her tips for spending Halloween in Orlando with all of you. Apologies for not posting this sooner, it’s been a busy month here in Zannaland – but this is great planning for last minute ideas this year or working on next year’s Halloween! Thanks, Michelle!

…

October is here along with changing leaves, cool breezes and Halloween. Everyone enjoys the costume parties, parades and scary decor but what everyone really looks forward to is Trick or Treating. If you plan to be in Orlando for Halloween, you’re in for a treat. The holiday is celebrated with gusto throughout the month of October and nobody does it better than Walt Disney World.

Halloween at Walt Disney World is delightful. The decorations are colorful with just a touch of not-so-scary ghoulishness for that extra bit of fun. How do you trick or treat while vacationing in Orlando?

MICKEY’S NOT SO SCARY HALLOWEEN PARTY

Dress up in your favorite costume and attend Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom. Kids of all ages can trick or treat throughout the park and nobody cares if you go through a candy line twice. We counted over 30 different places to trick or treat spread pretty evenly throughout the park and I’ve been told there are actually more than that.

Tip
Bring a bag unless you want to use the plastic one given out by cast members. The plastic bag is cute but a lightweight pullstring backpack works better.

Naturally you’ll see a lot of princesses and pirates which is why dressing as Snow White’s evil stepmother or Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty is so fun. You’ll stand out from the crowd. Your costume doesn’t have to be Disney related. In fact, you may be even more noticeable in something non-Disney. But whatever costume you choose, definitely go costumed! It’s just more fun that way.

Surprise
You probably don’t want to spend all the party hours trekking around trick or treating. Most nights of the Not So Scary Halloween event, there are two parades. Candy and stickers are handed out by cast members during the parade so you’re still trick or treating but without all the tiresome walking.

Fireworks are a big hit during the party with special fall colors in the sparkles and some that are ghost or pumpkin shaped.

Don’t forget the rides and attractions. Many are open and waiting for fun with short lines. As the night goes on, characters come out to play and greet guests for photo opportunities.

TRICK OR TREAT AT YOUR HOTEL

If you can’t make the Mickey Halloween party or don’t want to stay out that late, check with the concierge at your hotel. Many hotels offer activities and events for Halloween, such as ghost stories, character visits, treats and costume contests. Most are held poolside or in the lobby at designated hours but it’s a great way to enjoy Halloween on the go. We enjoyed a s’more night one Halloween and were given a bag of various goodies and small games. After some quick research, Hawthorn Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa has a kids trick or treat through the resort area and the staff dress up every year including the General Manager. The other StaySky Orlando hotels typically have their employees dressed up and a bucket of Halloween candy at the front desk. Depending on the ages involved, a simple event is perfect. Kids still have fun and parents save money and get to bed earlier.

Either way, you’re sure to have fun and create great family memories in the process. Happy Halloween!

…

Bio:

Michelle Rise is a homemaker and Mother of 5 and travel enthusiast. With many years of experience trekking through Disney parks with her Family, Michelle has become an expert on navigating families through Disney. She also enjoys travel to most other destinations worldwide and when not writing about her experiences or teaching her children to drive, Michelle can be found chasing the family dog up rainbow mountain with her husband of over 25 years, Ben. You can follow Michelle on Twitter, @Rise7Up, for all of her latest writings.

Thoughts on Glow With the Show at Walt Disney World’s Fantasmic!

22 October 2013 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

On a whim, I decided to bring my family to the east coast premier of Glow with the Show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Fantasmic! It had been quite some time since we’d all seen Fantasmic! since, after 15 years, you feel like you’ve seen it all. Also, my children recently got a taste of Fantasmic! west coast sister out in Disneyland, and it’s hard to argue that that is a better show. With the Sailing Ship Columbia with Peter Pan and Captain Hook swordfighting as they float by, and ending with the Mark Twain full of your favorite characters, along with many other better effects, it makes our little Fantasmic want for something. And I think that something may just be Glow with the Show!

I made a quick highlight video of the opening show at Fantasmic! on my iphone (please excuse any nighttime auto-focusing as a result!) to showcase the Glow with the Show ears effects:

I know Glow with the Show has been running with Disneyland’s Fantasmic! for some time, but I think what makes Hollywood Studios a great match is the stadium seating. If you sit in the back, you can see all of the ears before you, but, if you sit closer to the front, you can choose to look to your right or left and see the full effect of the colors. It really adds to the show, rather than detract. I loved how it looked on opening night and think if the ears are a success, the pairing with the show will be to. Whether guests will bother to pay $24 for, let’s face it, pretty heavy and uncomfortable ears, remains to be seen. I know in Japan, they recently debuted similar technology, but in a handheld wand type of product, which makes much more sense as far as viewing the lights (rather than depending on your neighbors to have purchased ears to really see the effects yourself).

Glow with the Show also began working with Wishes and the Celebrate the Magic castle projection show earlier this week. I will admit, I really had no desire to watch this. I’m not sure why I think it’s okay to work with Fantasmic! but not Wishes, but I do. I guess because for Wishes and Celebrate the Magic, your attention should really be focused on one thing – the castle and the sky, while at Fantasmic, there are moments of darkness where the lights are a good filler, and there is also so much going on at once, that it seems okay for the ears to be a part of that show. It also could be that I’m really ready for a new fireworks show at the Magic Kingdom! Glow with the Show will also work with the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights later this year. I think the ears will be an easy addition because everything is already flashing around you, but I don’t think they are *needed* by any means. I will have to see how things look when the switch is flipped for the lights.

What are your thoughts on Glow with the Show? Which nighttime shows do you think they work best with? I dare say I like them at Hollywood Studios’ Fantasmic better than World of Color, because I just think World of Color is so perfect on its own! Please share your opinion in the comments below, I’d love to hear what you think!

Limited Time Magic: Cinderella Castle Suite Tour

21 October 2013 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

Note: This post was originally written by Joe Morisco as a guest blogger for zannaland back in April of 2013. Enjoy!

As part of the ongoing promotion Limited Time Magic, Walt Disney World has been giving extremely limited tours to lucky winners through an email contest. I was lucky enough to win a spot on a tour for arguably the best tour given out at the Magic Kingdom. The winners of the tour met at the Magic Kingdom at 8:30 AM. What was supposed to be a group of 25 ended up being only 15, with 10 no-shows. The group was then split, with half going to tour the suite, the other half heading over to Be Our Guest at Beast’s Castle.

This tour with an Imagineer was a 1 1/2 hour tour. The highlight of the tour was the Cinderella Suite, since this is not normally accessible to any day guests. The Imagineer that worked on the suite walked us through, pointing out all the tiny details. I included a photo gallery below of everything we saw in the suite. After being in the suite for about 45 minutes, we were brought over to Be Our Guest and through each room in the restaurant. The Imagineer explained the theme for each room as well as details that you may overlook. At the end of the tour, they brought out a dish of “grey stuff” for us. Overall, this was a great experience that we could not normally partake in!

Cinderella Castle Suite Elevator Art Work

Floor going into Cinderella Castle Suite

Stained Glass windows tell the Cinderella Story

We hope you enjoyed the photo tour – keep watching the Disney Parks Blog for future Imagineer Tours as part of Limited Time Magic!

Top 5 Must-do’s at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

21 October 2013 by Suzannah Otis 3 Comments

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is one of my favorites each year, an annual tradition to kick off the Halloween season. I’ve written about the event each year that Zannaland.com has been around, and enjoying all the party has to offer never gets old. In fact, it only gets harder to fit it all in. If you have a family with varying age ranges, it may be a “divide and conquer” night to make sure everyone sees and does all they want to do. Because of that, I thought I’d write up a Top 5 this year, of my personal favorites.

1. Get there early. While the ticket for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party (or MNSSHP for short) starts at 7pm, you can actually enter the park as early as 4pm, to get the most out of your night. The trick-or-treating and official events don’t begin till 7, but you can grab a bite and get on rides beforehand.

2. Get your Sorcerer’s of the Magic Kingdom card. If you are a sorcerer and enjoy the game, there is a special card just for the event. You can pick it up at the Main Street Fire Station or the Liberty Square sorcerer’s desk. You must have both your wristband for the event AND your event ticket to get the card, so make sure your whole party is together for this. There is a limited amount for each party, so this should be first on your list!

3. Trick-or-Treat. This is what most people are here for. They dress up, yes, they see the parades and fireworks, ride on attractions with almost no wait, but this is FREE CANDY! And with over 40 different kinds this year, you are sure to get your fill. You can find all the treat locations on your MNSSHP map, or by looking for the giant light up treat location signs. Don’t forget the Treat Trails over by Splash Mountain’s queue and the walkway between Storybook Circus and Tomorrowland for the most treats per square inch. My favorite is always the Werther’s Caramel Apple candies over at Pinocchio’s Village Haus!

4. Try the event-specific treats too. This year, the food and beverage team really went out of their way to create some delicious treats for MNSSHP. Caramel Apple Slush, Candy Corn ice cream, Pumpkin Waffle Sundae and MORE! These new Halloween treats are so yummy, I wrote a whole post on them. But after trying the Candy Corn ice cream and the Pumpkin Waffle Sundae (which I’ve heard is now available full time at Sleepy Hollow Treats) I was in love. I shared both of these with my family at midnight sitting on the new castle wall area. Perfect ending to a perfect Halloween party.

5. Watch Mickey’s Boo-to-You Parade and HalloWishes Fireworks Spectacular! The Boo-to-You parade is many people’s favorite parade at Walt Disney World, and I am no exception. It is hard to top the dramatic entrance by the Headless Horseman as he trots down the parade route while Flight of the Valkyries plays around you. The floats are top notch and the Haunted Mansion ballroom dancers and Gravediggers with their sparks are always a crowd favorite. There are two parades each party night, and the second always has less guests. And don’t forget HalloWishes! This is one of the most exciting fireworks displays of the season, with 360-degree perimeter fireworks around the park and your favorite villains and villainous songs.

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party runs on select nights in September through November 1st. A few nights are already sold out, so check with DisneyWorld.com to purchase your tickets in advance. Some nights are available at a discounted rate of $62 per adult.

Disclaimer: I was provided with complimentary tickets for MNSSHP for my family and me, but my opinions are my own.

Cranberries – the Perfect Harvest Ingredient at Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival

19 October 2013 by Suzannah Otis 3 Comments

Being from Massachusetts, I grew up knowing about cranberry bogs, even visiting the Ocean Spray factory when I was little. But many folks in our country have never even heard of a cranberry bog and have no idea how cranberries are harvested in the five growing states of Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin. For this reason (and I just love cranberries) I get excited when Ocean Spray sets up their mini bog right inside Epcot each Food & Wine Festival. The bog has been a focal point of the Festival for the past few years now, taking up a portion of the walkway from Future World to World Showcase, where all the countries and their food booths reside.

It makes perfect sense that a food item which has such a rich American history, harvested in the Fall – the time when Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival takes place, would be featured prominently at the park. Ocean Spray is a great partner, similar to many Disney partnerships in the past up to present day, like Carnation and Coca-Cola, so it’s wonderful to see their presence in the park and in various food items throughout the Food & Wine Festival. In addition to its bright red splash of color as you walk by, the bog is also staffed with actual Cranberry farmers, there to answer any questions you may have about the cranberry and its harvesting process. Plus you get free Craisins for visiting the information area next to the bog!

I recently got to experience the Ocean Spray Cranberry Bog first hand and try out some truly unique recipes using cranberries and Craisins. Below are some photos from that night, as well as some recipes from the dishes we got to try. You can also find Ocean Spray cranberries and Craisins at the Hops & Barley booth at the Food & Wine Festival, in the bread pudding dessert with Grand Marnier Anglaise. Also at the Cheese booth where an Artisan Cheese Selection is served with Craisin bread. Yum.

Artisan Cheese Stuffed Craisin Mini Brioche

Cranberry and Sea Salt Cured Wild Salmon

English Mustard Dusted Scotch Egg with Cranberry Marmalade

Various media guests roaming in the bog.

Here are two recipes from our special dinner:

Craisin Vegetable Fried Rice

Ingredients

3 eggs, beaten lightly
1 tablespoon sesame oil

2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh ginger
1 bunch scallions, white and green parts sliced thinly, separated

¼ cup diced carrots
5 cups day old cooked rice
2/3 cup chopped dried Craisins

¼ cup green peas
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
Kosher salt, to taste
Vegetable oil, for cooking

Preparation

Heat a wok or large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add oil followed by eggs when hot. Move eggs around the pan, scrambling them. With a spatula break into pieces and remove from heat when almost cooked. Set aside.

Heat sesame oil in same pan and add the garlic and ginger cooking until soft, about 2 minutes. Add the white parts of the scallions and carrots and cook for a few minutes. Add the rice and cranberries and toss thoroughly until heated through. Add the soy sauce, white pepper and reserved eggs, green peas and toss until heated thru. Remove from heat and garnish with the scallion greens. Serve immediately.

Serves 10-12

Mole Shrimp Quesadilla

Ingredients

¼ cup chili powder

2 tablespoons cocoa powder

¾ teaspoon kosher salt

¾ teaspoon ground black pepper

½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

½ teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon allspice

2 teaspoons vegetable oil

1 pound uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced

1 lime, juiced

6 large flour tortillas

3 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend, divided

Preparation

Combine chili, cocoa, salt, peppers, cinnamon and allspice, mixing well. Pat dry shrimp and toss into seasoning. Let shrimp marinate in refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add shrimp into hot skillet and cook until shrimp are opaque and no longer pink in the center, 3 to 5 minutes.
Remove skillet from heat; stir jalapeno pepper and lime juice into shrimp mixture. Cool shrimp off in refrigerator before assembling quesadillas.
To make quesadillas place half cup of cheese into each tortilla followed by the cooked mole shrimp. Fold the tortilla shell in half creating a semi circle.
Place a large nonstick skillet over medium heat and place the quesadilla, slowly browning and melting the cheese.
Cut into portions and serve immediately.

Serves 6-8

Be sure to look for Ocean Spray Cranberries and Craisins during Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival, running now through November 11, 2013. Can’t make it to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival? Visit www.oceanspray.com for delicious everyday ideas and seasonal inspirations from around the world. Cranberry lovers eager to share their stories and recipes are encouraged to tweet @OceanSprayInc (they tweet back!) or post on Ocean Spray’s Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram pages.

NEW Ghoulish Delights at Be Our Guest Restaurant and Magic Kingdom for Halloween

10 September 2013 by Suzannah Otis 5 Comments

An instagram friend (@wibblywaffle-Rueben Gutierrez), who just happens to be a pastry cook at Be Our Guest restaurant, shared a photo this afternoon that I thought was good enough to get a whole post devoted to it. The enchanted chefs at Be Our Guest have come up with some sweet spells for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party – a “Poisoned Apple Cupcake” and a “Blood Orange Cream Puff” and they sound delicious!

The Poisoned Apple Cupcake is yellow cake with green apple mousse filling, topped with buttercream, apple pie filling, crispy pearls and a chocolate witches hat. Spooky!

Be Our Guest "Poison" Apple Cupcake — Be Our Guest “Poison” Apple Cupcake photo by Reuben Gutierrez

The Cream Puff is chocolate with blood orange mousse, which sounds right up my alley. We’ll have a photo of that up soon! Guests visiting the Magic Kingdom for the Halloween Party should note that Be Our Guest restaurant IS open, so check for walk-in availability just in case. According to our chef above, they are not seating past 7:45 but would love to show off their new offerings!

In addition to these special event-only desserts for their dinner service, Be Our Guest is adding a new dessert to the regular menu…The Grey Stuff! A brand new lunch-only cupcake form of the Grey Stuff is available starting today. The cupcake is the same chocolate cupcake offered in the Triple Chocolate Cupcake, with Grey Stuff filling, Grey Stuff on top and silver crispy pearls.

A different dinner form of the dessert is also available now, which uses Grey Stuff on the tarts the restaurant previously made. Thanks to @wibblywaffle for the photo below:

Be Our Guest Grey Stuff cupcake – photo by Reuben Gutierrez

Are you heading to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party? These new desserts have me excited to dine at Be Our Guest again during one of the party nights.

There are also some other Halloween treats available around the Magic Kingdom during the parties – thanks to DisneyLifestylers.com for the use of the photos below:

Pumpkin ice cream waffle sundae at Sleepy Hollow. Photo ©DisneyLifestylers.com

Candy Corn soft serve ice cream at Storybook Treats. Photo ©DisneyLifestylers.com

Hatbox Ghost Mickey popcorn bucket. Photo ©DisneyLifestylers.com

Disney’s California Grill Re-opens With a Delicious Flair

8 September 2013 by Suzannah Otis 3 Comments

A flair of Mary Blair that is. Cheap rhyme aside, I was so pleasantly surprised by the newly re-imagined California Grill, which pays tribute to the art and artistry of Disney Legend Mary Blair, famous for the Grand Canyon Concourse mosaics found within Disney’s Contemporary Resort. The color scheme on the upholstery, carpets, art and more all honor the original colors found when the Contemporary first opened. It is a wonderful mix of mid-century modern aesthetics, with sleek state-of-the art accompaniments found throughout the restaurant.

The now floor-to-ceiling windows offer even more incredible views than before, streaming in light from all around. On the night we arrived, a thunderstorm had just ended, providing an incredible rainbow right over the resort. When we got upstairs, we could see not only the gorgeous sunset but also the storm in the distance; an unrivaled panorama of Walt Disney World Resort scenery.

Mixed in with the regular tables and booths are now long tables which seat 10 over on one side of the restaurant. There is also seating at the bar, where a special sushi menu is offered for guests seated at that location. The private rooms are also still available as well and offer even more tributes to Mary Blair with reproductions of her artwork. I just can’t express enough how wonderful it is to see Mary Blair and her work in such a special location.

New color schemes at California Grill are a tribute to the original Contemporary Resort

The food we sampled was incredible, from the Pacific halibut with parsnip silk, roasted heirloom beets, arugula, macadamia vinaigrette and beet syrup, to updates of longtime favorites, such as Pork Two Ways, now grilled tenderloin and lacquered pork belly with goat cheese polenta and mushrooms – my favorite! The oak-fired filet of beef is served with heirloom tomato risotto, marinated baby vine tomatoes and basil was just perfect. Sonoma goat cheese ravioli returns in a tomato fennel broth with crispy shiitake mushrooms.

And don’t forget the sushi! The Grill’s popular sushi menu expands with a 12-course omakase menu that includes a tasting of the restaurant’s freshest ingredients (not just fish and seafood). Omakase means “to entrust,” and there’s no menu. “You just let the chef prepare fresh sushi dishes for you, perfect for sushi fans who want to try new tastes,” says Executive Chef Brian Piasecki. The menu might include ama ebi (sweet shrimp) tempura, lobster sashimi, crunchy Japanese bone marrow with sesame beef tartare and red onion marmalade, and spicy-crusted oysters.

I cannot wait to get back and try full-size portions of some of these, at which time I’ll offer a full review of my experience. The mix of side items and the presentation really live up to California Grill’s existing reputation – and surpass it. This will now be a must-visit for a special occasion dining experience, date night, or just a wonderful gourmet meal. While I love trying new things, I’m not a food reviewer, and certainly didn’t have the old California Grill menu memorized, so for a ‘first-timer’ so to speak, I was really satisfied and impressed with what I tried. Hopefully based on the photos below and descriptions of ingredients above, you can decide if the California Grill will work for you and your guests. Dessert descriptions are listed in the gallery below.

The wall of wine immediately catches your eye when you step off the elevator; 1600 bottles on display, with 250 wines on the list, 80 by the glass. There also are 10 varieties of sake, eight kinds of craft beers and ciders, and signature cocktails created just for California Grill, such as the sake martini, which I sampled and really enjoyed. I am not usually a fan of sake on its own, but this was a light, sweet, tropical drink and a great way to enjoy sake.

For more scenes from the new California Grill, see the gallery below, and click to enlarge any photos:

California Grill desserts — A sampling of the desserts – clockwise from top left, the lemon meringe, which was like a cheesecake consistency with a nice shortbread crust and hardened meringue topper, the strawberry basil sundae is part of the trio pictured below, then the chocolate pudding cake described a few photos down, the banana fritters with house-made marshmallow and caramel. This was really unique, like fried banana bread, dense and moist with a nice caramel complement, and the caramel corn pot is also part of the trio in the next photo.

Sunday Sampler — California Grill Sundae Sampler: caramel corn, Coca-Cola float, and strawberry and basil.(Jimmy DeFlippo, photographer)

Wishes from California Grill — Wishes from the California Grill viewing platform

The refurbished California Grill has instantly become my favorite new spot in all of Walt Disney World. Perfect views and ambiance, wonderful Mary Blair touches for Disney fans to appreciate, and wonderful food to complement the entire experience. Truly a jewel in the Walt Disney World crown. I hope to get back sooner than later! Speaking of, reservations are now available (if you can find any) to book at 407-WDW-DINE, online or using the My Disney Experience app.

What do you think of the new look?

Disclaimer: I was invited to preview the new California Grill and its food at a press event. I was not asked or required to post in any way and my opinions above are my own. It’s just THAT good!