Disney Springs

Drawn to Life REVIEW: Is This New Cirque du Soleil Show a MUST SEE for Disney Fans?

14 November 2021 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

Back in 2020 – the last media event I attended before everything shut down, we were given about a 20 minute preview of Cirque du Soleil’s newest show at Disney Springs – Drawn to Life. The media event was for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway’s debut, but it also combined other upcoming events around Walt Disney World. The first link above is to my instagram story for what we saw of Drawn to Life back in March of 2020. Last night, thanks to a cast member-exclusive invite-only dress rehearsal, I was able to see the full Drawn to Life show from Cirque du Soleil. I was completely blown away and knew I had to write a Drawn to Life review here, because EVERYONE needs to see this show.

Cirque du Soleil Drawn to Life Review

Cirque du Soleil Theatre

A little background, as you may know and may have seen, the Cirque du Soleil theatre was built to house the original show here, La Nouba. A fan and family favorite, La Nouba ran from December 23, 1998 until December 31, 2017. At the time, fans were unsure if a new show would premiere, but Cirque du Soleil did announce that a new show would replace La Nouba in the future.

Drawn to Life is Born

In November of 2018, casting calls for Drawn to Life were posted. Two years later, at the above mentioned March 2020 event, everyone was very excited to welcome the new show. Then, the world turned upside-down. We all wondered if the pandemic would mean the end of Drawn to Life and even Cirque du Soleil in general. Luckily, they made it through and now Drawn to Life will debut on November 18, 2021. The first 3 nights are already sold out, which is a great sign for the success of the show.

Drawn to Life Storyline

Something that La Nouba was missing was a Disney connection. La Nouba was amazing, the Cirque performers are the best of the best, and the costumes, makeup, and staging are beyond compare. But, there was no Disney in the show. Honestly, I liked that, as a fan of live theatre and performance, I loved that La Nouba opened that world to people that may not have ever seen it otherwise. I was a little worried that the Disney addition would make it too commercial-looking or comparable to a Disney On Ice performance (not that there’s anything wrong with Disney on Ice, but Cirque du Soleil is known for its incredible creativity and pushing of boundaries). My fears were quashed when I saw the preview in March of 2020. My mind was then completely blown last night when I saw the full show.

My one sentence Drawn to Life review: the show is a love letter to the art and artistry of Disney animation. This is what I thought throughout the show, and then when I went on the website today to look for images to use here, I realized, they had used almost the exact wording in their description of the show. It truly lives up to that statement. Here is how the Drawn to Life storyline is described on the site:

Drawn to Life invites you into an astounding world where the art of Walt Disney Animation is experienced like never before. Gather your whole family for an unforgettable leap into this amazing new show—a live acrobatic journey where the stage is transformed into a giant animation table. The art of classic Disney animation is reinterpreted through Cirque du Soleil’s innovative design, acrobatic performances, dazzling choreography, and eclectic costuming alongside all-new Disney animation and an original score inspired by timeless Disney music. The show is absolutely alive with all the high-flying, mind-blowing exuberance that Cirque du Soleil is famous for.

This love letter to the art of Disney Animation celebrates life in all of its motions and emotions. The show tells the story of a determined girl [named Julie] who discovers one last gift left by her animator father: a sequence of unfinished drawings. Guided by a magical pencil and a quirky troupe of imaginative muses, she embarks on an inspiring quest filled with her childhood Disney memories. We’ll follow her as she leaps into a whimsical world of animation and discovers new possibilities that animate the story of her future. Drawn to Life presented by Cirque du Soleil and Disney.

What the description and the short preview we saw in March didn’t prepare me for was the emotional journey that starts pretty much immediately when the show begins. It really pulls you in and you are invested in Julie’s adventures. The story weaves itself expertly between the cirque performances so nothing seems out of place or interfering with the flow. Every character highlights and celebrates some portion of the animation process, including mistakes. Speaking of characters, there are several sets of performances where my jaw was hanging open (thankfully masks are required so no one could see that), others where I audibly gasped, and still others where my mask hid the tears streaming down my cheeks. It is a journey.

Cirque du Soleil Drawn to Life Animation desk — After more than a year of waiting, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group and Disney Parks, Experiences and Products are excited to announce that Drawn to Life is scheduled to open on Nov. 18, 2021. The new family-friendly show coming to Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., is a collaboration between Cirque du Soleil, Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering and will take residency at Disney Springs (Matt Beard, Photographer).

In recent times, hardcore Disney fans have been complaining of a lack of major celebration by Walt Disney World for the 50th anniversary and a focus more on current movie characters, merchandise, and food rather than the storied nostalgia of the company. Drawn to Life has put all of that history and nostalgia, combined it with Disney storytelling and heart, and incredible artistic performances to create a must-see event that every Disney fan will appreciate. It is the most “Disney” show I have seen in recent years, and it’s not even technically a Disney show. The creators have concentrated down the essence of the history and the process of creating the magic that we all know and love as “Disney.”

Drawn to Life Technical Feats

The theater was originally designed for La Nouba, but the stage area has now been completely redone to fit Drawn to Life. The stage design and technical effects for Drawn to Life are mind-blowing. You will probably spend a good portion of the show wondering “how did they DO that??” but at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how, it just looks spectacular. We were seated four rows back on the right of the stage and there were many (most) times I could not see how things were being accomplished. I can only imagine how it looks from slightly further back. The entire tech crew is to be commended for the magic they have created here.

All above photos by photographer Matt Beard and courtesy of Disney. Since you can’t take photos or video of the show, and I don’t want to spoil any of the surprises for you, you’ll have to take my word that it is worth a viewing and a must-see show. I don’t think I can give a Drawn to Life review without mentioning the costumes and makeup; a major part of the show which should not be ignored.

Each character is made to look like some part of the animation process, either the faces animators make to replicate in their designs, or an implement itself like a pencil or paintbrush. The costume are bright and memorable, making each group or individual performance stand out.

Drawn to Life Acts

Here is a little more about the creation of the show and two recently announced acts that are featured in Drawn to Life:

Drawn to Life, written and directed by Michel Laprise with Fabrice Becker as Director of Creation. Developed in partnership with Michael Jung, Executive Theatrical Development, Walt Disney Imagineering along with Walt Disney Animation Studios, the story is driven by 10 unique acrobatic acts alongside animation from beloved Disney films. In addition, the show features all-new animation created by Disney artists led by Animation Director Eric Goldberg, best known for characters such as the Genie in the Disney Animation classic “Aladdin.”

In the “Garden of Lines” unicycle act, Julie is swept into a wonderland of familiar shadows, shapes and outlines in an homage to cherished tales that inspire an animator. Julie’s whimsical mood fixates on a mischievous marionette from a time-honored Italian fairytale. Five playful unicyclists representing the Blue Fairy of the classic Disney Animation film “Pinocchio” appear to effortlessly float across the stage, performing synchronized stunts and individual tricks with pinpoint precision.

“The Old Mill” double wheel act is inspired by Walt Disney’s groundbreaking 1937 animated short of the same name, which is seen in projections throughout. In a display of tenacity, perseverance and rise-and-fall motion, owls dreamed up by Julie’s imagination weather a storm using teamwork and courage to carry them through the powerful wind and rain that threaten their windmill home. The windmill of the film is represented in a spectacular, churning, fast-moving double wheel structure. Gravity-defying acrobats are in constant motion with the turning wheels—at times airborne—with astonishing balance and agility.

Drawn to Life is the 50th production created by Cirque du Soleil and its premiere coincides with the Walt Disney World Resort 50th anniversary celebration. With an international cast of 62 artists, Drawn to Life will perform Tuesday through Saturday at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort.

I will note that “The Old Mill” double wheel act is one of the moments where I audibly gasped and my jaw hung open for most of the performance. The unicycles were mesmerizing and even though there were no technical effects there, I still wondered “how did they DO that??”

**Final Drawn to Life Review Thoughts**

Almost 24 hours later, I’m still thinking about how incredible Drawn to Life is. I highly recommend it and I can’t wait to bring my entire family back so they can experience the wonder and magic themselves. Congratulations to everyone involved in Drawn to Life for an amazing success. I can’t wait for word to get out about this amazing Cirque du Soleil experience.

If you want a sneak peek at some of the designs used in the show or just to get some nice merchandise, the Cirque du Soleil Store at Disney Springs West Side is now open.

For more information on show tickets, dates and pricing, visit cirquedusoleil.com/drawntolife.

If you see the show, I’d love to hear what your thoughts were!

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Closest Hotel to Disney Springs – We Explore the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista

24 November 2020 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

If you’re like me, you have driven by the hotels on Hotel Plaza Blvd. near Disney Springs (in my case, way back to when it was called the Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village and later Disney Village Marketplace), but never really stopped to investigate the amazing resorts that exist, minutes from the shopping and dining action. One example of that is The Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort Complex, which just announced the completion of its reimagination and $14 million-dollar guest room renovations and poolside dining. Even better, the rates right now are some of the lowest the property has ever seen – some nights are under $100 a night (yes you read that right).

Situated around 5 minutes (yes you read that right too) from Disney Springs, the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista and its sister property, the Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista are conveniently accessible by the recently installed pedestrian bridges crossing East Buena Vista Drive. No need to worry about cars in your way or waiting for crosswalks to be clear. However, if you want to park in the Disney Springs parking garages, those are really close too!

We were recently invited to tour the newly remodeled rooms and Oasis restaurant and were pleasantly surprised. For those history buffs, the Wyndham property was actually the 3rd resort to open at Walt Disney World. It has a storied history, opening as the Dutch Inn, which later rebranded as the Americana Dutch Resort, before being sold to Grosvenor and becoming the Grosvenor Resort, renamed to the Regal Sun Resort, and then merged with the Wyndham Hotels and Resorts and became what it is today. In between all of those name changes, there have been several multi-million dollar renovations, so you would never know walking into the lobby or a room, the history of the resort! The resort now features open air, socially distanced dining in the Oasis Restaurant adjacent to the new kids’ pool section of their massive aquatic center.

The two official Walt Disney World Resort hotels, the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista and Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista are packed with many shared amenities. This guest room renovation includes 394 newly reimagined garden-themed rooms for the value-minded guest and another 232 rooms in the upscale 19-story tower overlooking Disney Springs, which features a lake house motif.

“Just in time for your holiday vacation and weekend staycation planning, we have completed a significant transformation that has been several years in the making, said Jay Leonard, General Manager of the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort Complex. We are grateful to those who have pardoned our dust as we worked with top designers and builders to create what we believe will be a great guest experience.”

See You at The All New Oasis Restaurant

Open daily for lunch and dinner, it’s ideal for everyone who wants to soak up a day’s worth of the Florida sun or simply delight in a refreshing beverage or satisfying meal while watching sports on the big screens in their all-weather dining room.

Handcrafted cocktails, frozen drinks, beer and wine selections and a delicious menu of dining options await poolside. From mouthwatering fish tacos to some of the best chicken wings in town, you will find what you seek at the Oasis Restaurant. Fresh baked pizza, a variety of burgers, sandwiches and salads are prepared to order as you relax at the pool or recharge after an early start at the theme parks. Hidden Mickey fans will also find quite a few to hunt down and spot!

Click on a photo below to enlarge and see the updated restaurant and amazing pool area:

Oasis Restaurant Exterior Wyndham LBV — Oasis restaurant

Oasis Restaurant Wyndham LBV — Seating in the Oasis restaurant

Oasis Pool Wyndham LBV — Oasis Pool area

Oasis Pool Kids Area Wyndham LBV — Interactive kids area

Oasis Cool Pool Wyndham LBV — Oasis “cool pool”

Oasis Pool Cabana Wyndham LBV — Oasis pool cabanas

Reimagined Tower and Garden Rooms

Interior Image Group drew the inspiration for the design concepts from the hotel’s lobby area, continuing the lake house theme from the tower into the garden guest rooms. These newly recreated rooms allow guests to unwind and relax with the feeling of being in their very own garden retreat.

Jamie Malays served as lead creative designer on both hotel offerings and applied her expertise using multiple fabric textures, wood finishes and a minimal color palette in the garden concept.

Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Tower Room — King room at the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista

Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Tower Room Disney Springs view — A Disney Springs view tower room at the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista

Upon entering a reimagined garden room, guests will find themselves in a serene and inviting space. The main design features are the all-white, laminate wood, built-in storage bench unit that is back lit and accented with decorative aviary hooks to hang caps and jackets. This is where functionality meets beauty; it is aesthetically pleasing, and also acts as a multifunctional storage space with room to place luggage and hideaway shoes in the under-bench area.

Hidden spaces have also been created within the built-in entertainment center, which conceal a coffee maker and mini refrigerator (much larger than the Disney value resort fridges), and come standard in each room.

Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Garden Room — Garden room at Wyndham Lake Buena Vista

The 55” TV is displayed on a backlit wood finish entertainment wall conveniently opening the space on the new quartz countertops. Maintaining the functional design, the built-in unit has an ample amount of storage space with three large drawers.

Carrying the minimalistic theme over onto the sleeping area, a soft green wood headboard awaits guests, accented with modern light fixtures. The vanity and bathroom also received a significant facelift, starting at the entrance with a new rolling white barn door and a frosted edge back-lit mirror that hangs over the spacious vanity.

The large picture windows feature a privacy and a blackout shade. The blackout shade is actually decorated with a relaxing garden motif so when closed, it looks like a beautifully pained picture on the wall.

The best part is perhaps the quick walk to Disney Springs, knowing that this beautiful room is waiting for you on your return. I was so impressed with the new room designs, and at this price point, how could you not to stay here?

Walking over to Disney Springs really reminded me of staying in Disneyland, and walking over from Harbor Blvd. to Downtown Disney. That’s a pretty common practice when staying off-property in Disneyland, so it really makes sense that it would work here in Walt Disney World Resort too! So many people want to stay in a Disney hotel, but the comfort and amenities found here are hard to beat – you still receive Extra Magic Hours, FastPass+ (under normal circumstances) and other Magical Extras.

What impressed me most at the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista was the people. Everyone we met was like family, ready to welcome you to their home. They were justifiably proud of their beautiful hotel, and the wonderful amenities it has to offer guests. It truly is a hidden secret on Walt Disney World property and definitely worth investigating for your next stay. Head to Wyndham Lake Buena Vista for more info and to book your stay today!

*Disclosure: The Wyndham Lake Buena Vista invited us out to tour their rooms and pool area, and walked us across to Disney Springs and we experienced some of the shops and dining there. You can see more on my Wyndham LBV instagram story from the day! As always, my thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you for reading!

Disney Closes All US Stores In COVID-19 Response

16 March 2020 by Chris Ryan Leave a Comment

In response to the growing COVID-19 pandemic, Disney previously announced the closure of all its parks worldwide, effective as of today, March 16th. This morning, Disney has provided a new update on the operations of more of its properties.

In a statement from the Walt Disney World website, Disney writes,

In line with state and federal guidance, in an abundance of caution and in the best interest of our guests and cast members we are proceeding with the closure of all Disney stores in North America, beginning March 17. Guests continue to visit shopDisney.com.

Disney will also be closing all of its owned and operated locations at Downtown Disney in Anaheim and Disney Springs in Orlando, beginning March 17. Individual tenants will make decisions on whether to continue or adjust operations.

Additionally, Disney owned and operated hotels at Walt Disney World Resort and Disney’s Vero Beach Resort will close at 5pm on Friday, March 20. This will give Guests the ability to make other arrangements.

We will continue to monitor the situation and maintain regular contact with the appropriate officials and health experts.

This tells us that all first-party Disney locations at Disney Springs and Downtown Disney will close, including World of Disney, Marketplace Co-Op, and the newly opened NBA Experience. This also includes all first-party Disney stores around the country.

Few third-party locations have provided details on their continuing operating hours. Some larger tenants, like AMC Theaters have announced their policy for their stores nation-wide. We suggest doing your own research into locations you may need to visit during this time.

We will continue to post updates on the operations of the parks as they are announced.

Raglan Road’s Mighty St. Patrick’s Festival Returns to Disney Springs

10 March 2020 by Chris Ryan Leave a Comment

A great annual event is returning this week—the Mighty St. Patrick’s Festival at Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant returns to Disney Springs! Break out your green and celebrate for five days of fun March 13-17 with non-stop Irish-infused entertainment from morning until night, a mighty selection of beers and cocktails and of course, the most authentic Irish pub grub around.

The Disney Parks blog has released quite a bit of info on this event:

The regular menu will be available during the event featuring your favorite go-to dishes like the Guinness-infused Bangin’ Bangers and Mighty Mash. Planning to stop by over the weekend? The Rollicking Raglan Weekend Brunch will be served March 14 and 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 pm.

Guests who dine on Monday, March 16 can enjoy a new whiskey pairing dinner from 3-11 p.m. featuring a special prix fixe menu with locally sourced dishes like Whiskey Cured House Smoked Salmon and Apple Baked Dumplings paired with the finest Irish whiskey cocktails.

One of the most thrilling highlights of this annual event is the amazing live entertainment hand-picked straight from Ireland. Here’s a look at this year’s line-up:

Strings & Things will bring their contemporary Irish Trad/Folk/Roots crossover talent from Tipperary and Galway to the festival stage. Their unique sound and powerful stage energy promise a raucous evening of music and song.

TradGad features three talented musicians from Kerry, Dublin and Galway charming guests with their vibrant performances on guitar, fiddle, mandolin, uilleann pipes, tin whistle, banjo and bouzouki.

Maca, an Irish sister duo dubbed “Ireland’s next big thing” will rock the Raglan Road Pub stages with their extraordinary talent.

Fia Rua, featuring band members from Ireland and Scotland, will blend their musical backgrounds to perform and wow guests with a unique Celtic sound.

Mike Waters, from the southeast of Ireland, will perform Irish songs and ballads from traditional to contemporary with a good measure of chat and humor.

Emily Furlong, an extraordinary singer and entertainer from Wexford, Ireland will captivate guests with her stunning voice.

No Half Measures, an exciting, fresh and vibrant four-piece band from Scotland, Cork and Kilkenny will spin their youthful, contemporary sound for the Mighty Festival audience.

Of course, don’t miss the popular Raglan Road Irish Dancers plucked from the cast and stages of the world’s greatest Irish dance shows! They’ll be performing intermittently during the festival and ready to teach you an Irish jig – no experience necessary! Kids will also have a blast at this family-friendly party so be sure to bring everyone dressed in their best green garb and enjoy complimentary face painting.

For those planning to celebrate on St. Patrick’s Day, be sure to plan ahead for the fun! On March 17, guests will be seated on a first-come, first-serve basis with a cover charge of $10 for each guest 18 and older. Reservations can be booked online for other festival days, including brunch by calling 407-938-0300.

This release was originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog.

NEW Amorette’s Patisserie Signature Beverage

10 March 2020 by Chris Ryan Leave a Comment

We’re head over “ears” for the new Amorette’s Patisserie Signature beverage featuring Rosa Regale!

Amorette’s Patisserie is located at the Town Center area of Disney Springs. More info including hours, pricing, and a full menu can be found here.

This post is originally from the Disney Springs instagram account.

VLOG: City Works Disney Springs Dining Review!

14 February 2020 by Chris Ryan Leave a Comment

Join us for another fun vlog as we review the new City Works Eatery at Disney Springs. This is the newest restaurant at Disney Springs, located next to the new NBA Experience. With over 90 craft beers on tap, City Works Eatery and Pour House makes for a fun addition of American sports-bar style flair to your vacation.

City Works currently has nine locations across the country in cities and towns including Fort Worth, Tex.; Frisco, Tex.; King of Prussia, Pa.; Lake Buena Vista, Fla.; Pittsburgh, Pa.; Schaumburg, Ill.; Tysons, Va.; Wheeling, Ill.; and Vernon Hills, Ill. With 90 local and global beers on tap, the restaurant offers a wide range of rare and unique craft selections. All locations are open for brunch, lunch and dinner, and prices range from $13-$20 for lunch and $15-$28 for dinner.

City Works will have 30-40% of its draft beer taps dedicated to local breweries and eight wines on draft. It will also offer a seasonally changing cocktail menu and a fully stocked bar, plus a whiskey list. Guests can enjoy Happy Hour specials, including $2 off well drinks, local craft beers and glasses of wine, and $7 bar bites Monday through Thursday 3-6 p.m. Drink specials also are available 10 p.m.-midnight.

The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Thursday 11 a.m.-midnight, Friday 11 a.m.-1 a.m., Saturday 10:30 a.m.-1 a.m. and Sunday 10:30 a.m.-midnight. It also offers brunch dishes on the weekends 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

We’ll have a full blog post review soon, but until then, enjoy our City Works video review! You can check out our other Zannaland Videos here.

Details from Disney Dooney & Bourke 10th Anniversary

11 October 2019 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

This morning I was invited to cover the Disney Dooney & Bourke 10th Anniversary event, taking place at Ever After Jewelry and Accessories at Disney Springs. This was really a “full circle moment” for me as I mentioned in my previous post announcing this event, I’ve been covering these purses from the start. I couldn’t keep up with allll the new designs and styles and accessories available (if anyone wants to volunteer to be a Dooney correspondent, let me know! haha) but I felt it was important for me to be here for this event. This iconic brand really did kick off the landslide of Disney collaborations with designers, and now there are countless partnerships and collections out there, truly something for everyone and every level of Disney fan.

I covered today’s event on my Zannaland instagram story, so be sure to head over there to experience all the fun as it happened. We were lucky enough to get to see the bags and be inside the store before it opened, so I have some photos here as well. The event was so smooth and very different from the first Dooney events I used to attend, where you’d be waiting in a queue for hours. They now use a virtual queue, where you just check in with a cast member out front when you arrive, and you’ll be given a time to return. You can then roam around Disney Springs as you wait for your turn vs. standing still in a traditional queue.

Here are the different 10th Anniversary styles available as of today, at Ever After, and wherever Dooney & Bourke bags are sold in Disney, as well as Shop Disney, where you can see all the prices and availability. Click on any image to enlarge:

Dooney & Bourke Balloons 10th Anniversary

I may have picked up the MagicBand for myself, because I loved that it was black and a fun pattern, and always said to myself, if I actually bought a MagicBand, it would be a Dooney & Bourke one. Mission accomplished.

Thank you again to Disney for having me out to cover this 10th anniversary event and to Ian Ray for coming out and speaking to us this morning! Were you there? What’s YOUR favorite Disney Dooney & Bourke design or style? Let me know in the comments below!

Select Disney Dooney & Bourke handbags are available at Shop Disney

Merchandise Hotline number for Walt Disney World Resort: 407-363-6200 or 407-828-1451.

Disclosure: Disney invited me out and I was gifted with a bag today, but I purchased the MagicBand on my own, and as always, my thoughts and opinions are my own.
*ShopDisney.com links are affiliate links, which means it costs you nothing extra to click or buy, but if you do, I get a small commission. Thanks for reading!

NEW Disney Dooney & Bourke “it’s a small world” and Lovebirds Release Party

27 June 2016 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

It has been a while since a Disney Dooney & Bourke design has made my heart skip a beat, but they have finally done it again with this new “it’s a small world” collection. It’s hard not to love the amazing artwork and designs inspired by Mary Blair, but the color palette and artwork is really well done in this new collection. Steven Miller of the Disney Parks Blog has just shared that they will be welcoming in these new designs, along with Disney Dooney & Bourke MagicBands at a release party at Cherry Tree Lane at Disney Springs’ Marketplace Co-Op. Mark your calendars for July 23 and get ready to add to your collection!

Here is all the official info from Steven on the Parks Blog below:

A few weeks ago, I shared a Disney Parks Blog Unboxed video about new Dooney & Bourke items coming this summer to Disney Parks. Today, I have additional information about the release party that will be held on Saturday, July 23 at Cherry Tree Lane inside the Marketplace Co-Op at Disney Springs.

At this event, we are releasing two new collections including handbags inspired by the classic Disney Parks attraction, “it’s a small world.” The four silhouettes in this collection will include a Shopper Tote, a Pouchette, a Wallet and a Wristlet.

The second collection, called “Lovebirds,” will include a Shopper Tote and a Letter Carrier.

For the first time, we will introduce four limited edition retail MagicBands containing Dooney & Bourke-inspired designs. Each MagicBand will have an edition size of 1,500, and each MagicBand will contain a specially designed slider with the Dooney & Bourke logo. The MagicBands will be packaged in decorative boxes.

Finally, guests attending this release party will have an opportunity to meet Ian Ray, Creative Director for Dooney & Bourke. He will be appearing at Cherry Tree Lane from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. that day.

For guests at Disneyland Resort, look for the “it’s a small world” and the “Lovebirds” collections in select merchandise locations after this event.

Don’t forget to check DisneyStore.com for sales of select current released Disney Dooney & Bourke purses and Zannaland’s Disney Dooney & Bourke page with ALL handbag photos and info.

*DisneyStore.com links are affiliate links, which means it costs you nothing extra to click or buy, but if you do, I get a small commission. Thanks for reading!

Morimoto Asia at Disney Springs Hosts March 3rd Craft Beer Dinner With Crooked Can Brewing Co.

23 February 2016 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

As you may recall from my recent review of Morimoto Asia, I thought it was a wonderful new addition to the ever-evolving Disney Springs area. I love that they are embracing other local businesses and catering to local guests with their special events like the one listed below – the 3rd Craft Beer Dinner featuring Winter Garden’s own Crooked Can Brewing Co. Read more about it below:

The cherry blossom, or sakura, is widely regarded as Japan’s unofficial national flower. There are dozens of different cherry tree varieties in Japan, most of which bloom for only a couple of days each spring. The seasonal spectacle is celebrated with hanami, or cherry blossom viewing, parties under the trees. It is in this spirit that Crooked Can Brewing Co. worked in partnership with Morimoto Asia to create this unique, seasonal, Cherry Blossom Kolsch. This signature beer will be debuted on March 3rd and is available only at Morimoto Asia at Disney Springs – and like the cherry blossom itself – for a limited time.

WHAT:

Morimoto Asia at Disney Springs is teaming up with Winter Garden-based Crooked Can Brewing Company to host an intimate five-course craft beer pairing dinner. The menu, created by Executive Chef Yuhi Fujinaga, will showcase a selection of modern Pan-Asian dishes. Each course will be paired by Crooked Can brewmasters Kent Waugh and Chad Holloway. Price is $85 per guest all -inclusive. The menu and parings are below.

1st Course

Spring Collection of Shellfish Ceviche

Alaskan king crab, Washington State mirugai, Maine Uni, salmon roe, bean thread noodle

Crooked Can Cherry Blossom Kolsch

2nd Course

Duo of Duck

Morimoto Peking duck served with flour pancakes, hoisin miso, apricot-chili, and scallions

Consomme soup, daikon, carrot, foie gras

Crooked Can Bock Humbug

3rd Course

Trio of Chicken Satays

Chicken skins, yuzu-kosho, Himalayan salt; Boneless chicken wings, spicy garlic glaze; Chicken thigh, peanut sauce, cilantro

Crooked Can McSwagger’s Amber Ale

4th Course

Domestic Wagyu Sirloin “Ishiyaki”

Grilled at tableside with kimchi fried rice cake, smoked soy, fresh wasabi

Crooked Can Stout

Dessert

“Taiyaki” Japanese style pancake stuffed with sweet azuki beans

Served with matcha gelato

Crooked Can Cloud Chaser Hefeweizen

WHEN:

Thursday, March 3rd, Dinner starts promptly at 7 p.m.

WHERE:

Morimoto Asia at Disney Springs

RSVP:

Guests can reserve a seat by calling (407) 939-6686 (MOTO).

COST:

$85 per guest (all-inclusive)

Morimoto Asia Opens in Newly Re-named Disney Springs

30 September 2015 by Suzannah Otis 4 Comments

Last night I was treated to two opening celebrations – first the official renaming ceremony of Disney Springs from Downtown Disney. After enjoying some of the drinks and appetizers available at the new Indiana Jones-themed Jock Lindsay’s Hangar Bar (post on that forthcoming), we headed over to the Amphicar landing area for the renaming. On hand were Disney Springs Vice President Keith Bradford, Disney Springs and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Senior Vice President Maribeth Bisienere, Walt Disney World Resort President George A. Kalogridis, to dedicate the in-progress renovation and additions to the dining and shopping district. Disney Springs will now consist of 4 four interconnected neighborhoods: The Landing (where the Boathouse, Jock Lindsay’s Hangar Bar, and Morimoto Asia are located), Marketplace (home to most of the shopping like Co-Op, World of Disney, etc.), West Side (AMC Theatres, D-Street, etc.) and Town Center (currently under construction in the former parking lot areas). When Disney Springs is fully completed in 2016, the number of shopping, dining and entertainment venues will increase from the current 75 to more than 150.

We then headed across the way to Morimoto Asia – located in the former home of Mannequins Dance Club during the Pleasure Island years. The structure immediately stands out as a striking new vista and the beautiful design does not end when you walk through the doors. Making use of all the space the STUDIO V Architecture design features an extraordinary, 36-foot tall, two-story layout with open terraces, private dining rooms, a cocktail lounge, waterside seating and more. Chef Masaharu Morimoto’s first pan-Asian restaurant provides flavors from across Asia with unique exhibition kitchens showcasing the continent’s traditions. Included among them are street-food stalls, Peking duck carving and dim sum. We were treated to some samples last night, but I can’t wait to go back with my family and enjoy the full menu.

Morimoto Asia Orlando Opening — Gorgeous lighting and main dining area

From the second floor, overlooking main dining and bar to the left

Second floor sushi bar and private dining rooms

I couldnt resist asking for a photo with the famous Iron Chef! 😉

Of what we tried last night, the Tempura Rock Shrimp appetizer and the L.A. BBQ Kalbi (boneless grilled short ribs) were my favorites. We were also treated to a tuna carving and sushi rolling demonstration by Morimoto himself, as he carved a 100lb tuna and then with the aid of his sushi chefs and even attendees, rolled the 60 foot sushi roll and sliced it up for guests. We were also able to try some of the signature drinks, and it seems like there will be a wide variety of cocktails for the Orlando locals and visitors alike. I can’t wait to return to give a full review on more of the menu items. For now, I’ll say the prices definitely seem on par with other area restaurants, and certainly no more than the P.F. Changs chain. Prices may be viewed on the attached menu photos. Most appetizers were in the $8 range with most entrees coming in around $20-30+ with a few specialty items bumping things up to $40+. (click to expand to full-size photos)

Morimoto Asia Orlando Menu — Dinner menu page 1

Honestly, the part I enjoyed the most about Morimoto last night was simply the atmosphere and the amazing restaurant design itself. It was dazzling and elegant without being stuffy, I just wanted to take it all in and didn’t want to leave at the end of the night. I think it will be an absolutely perfect addition to the Disney Springs line-up, and Walt Disney World Resort in general.

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