Category Disney Springs

Mar 18 2019

Jaleo And Pepe Now Open In Disney Springs

The long wait is now over! As of yesterday, Jaleo and Pepe are both open in Disney Springs. Fans of tapas style dining and drinks looking for a table service meal, can give Jaleo a try. For sandwich lovers looking for a quick service option, check out Pepe. Here’s a quick look, courtesy of Disney:

José Andrés’ ThinkFoodGroup is proud to announce that its beloved Jaleo brand will open a new location at Disney Springs, bringing the spirit and flavors of Spain to the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida and creating 280 new jobs. As the pioneering brand that popularized tapas dining in the U.S., Jaleo at Disney Springs — opening March 17— will be the fifth Jaleo location in the U.S., the first in Florida and the largest location to date.

First opened in Washington, D.C., in 1993, Jaleo represents the very best of Spanish cuisine and design, seen through the creative lens of Spanish Chef Andrés and his team. Jaleo offers an unparalleled tapas experience in a lively setting befitting its name, which means “revelry.”

Jaleo at Disney Springs will feature an extensive menu of tapas reflecting the rich regional diversity of traditional and contemporary Spanish cuisine, as well as sangrias and a premier selection of Spanish wines. Highlights include a variety of authentic paellas cooked over a wood-fired paella pit, Spanish specialties like hand-carved Jamon Iberico de Bellota and wood-grilled Iberico pork, and signature dishes like Gambas al ajillo, shrimp sautéed with garlic and chili, and Pollo Croquetas, classic Spanish chicken fritters.

On the restaurant’s front corner adjacent to the Jaleo entrance will be Pepe by José Andrés, the first brick and mortar location of the chef’s wildly popular Spanish food truck, which has been a D.C. fixture for more than six years. Pepe by José Andrés will offer a diverse menu of Spanish sandwiches, or bocatas, both hot and cold, as well as gazpacho and salads to go. The quick-service location will also sell delicious Spanish sangria, complete with sangria ice cubes to prevent any dilution of the drink in the Florida climate.

Designed by renowned Spanish designer Juli Capella, the architectural form of the building housing both Jaleo and Pepe is inspired by the bold, playful nature of Spain featuring petals that organically open, inviting guests to enter and experience the very best of Spanish cuisine. The petals themselves form pergolas, which extend toward the outdoors, allowing light to flow in and out.

Jaleo at Disney Springs will be open for dinner starting March 17 with lunch service beginning later in the month. Pepe will be open for lunch and dinner beginning March 17, no reservations needed. To make a reservation at Jaleo, please call 321-348-3211.

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Will you be trying Jaleo, Pepe or both?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!

Feb 20 2019

Ron Jon Surf Shop Coming To Disney Springs In 2019

If you have ventured outside the Disney bubble on one of your Walt Disney World vacations, you may have checked out one of my all-time favorite destinations…Cocoa Beach. And one of the landmarks of this surfers’ paradise is, of course, the massive Ron Jon Surf Shop on North Atlantic Avenue. If you love this shop and all of its fantastic merchandise as much as I do, you will be excited hear that later this year you won’t need to make the long drive to the coast. A brand new 10,000 square-foot Ron Jon is coming to Disney Springs! Here’s what we know so far, courtesy of Disney:

Ron Jon Surf Shop is proud to announce plans for a new store that will open late 2019 at Disney Springs. The 10,000-square-foot Ron Jon location will be situated in Town Center at Disney Springs, the shopping, dining and entertainment district at Walt Disney World Resort.

Ron Jon Surf Shop currently operates stores throughout Florida and in other locations along the eastern seaboard including Ocean City, Maryland, Orange Beach, Alabama, two locations in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and its original location in Ship Bottom, New .Jersey. Ron Jon Surf Shop carries all of the beach essentials needed to have fun in the sun and features a wide assortment of surfwear, swimwear, sunglasses, hats, footwear and many other items perfectly suited for the casual beach lifestyle.

According to Debbie Harvey, president and COO of Ron Jon Surf Shop, the company selected Disney Springs as a location for its new store because of the shopping destination’s immense popularity with visitors as well as locals in the Orlando market, many of whom are familiar with the Ron Jon brand.

“We are thrilled to be planning a new Ron Jon store located at Disney Springs,” Harvey said.  “This is an extremely popular shopping destination for local residents and the millions of visitors coming to the Orlando area, and we feel it’s the perfect location for a new Ron Jon Surf Shop.”

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Will you be checking out the Ron Jon Surf Shop?
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Feb 15 2019

First Look At Pepe By José Andrés Coming To Disney Springs In 2019

If you love a delicious sandwich and you’re heading to Walt Disney World this year, you have plenty to be excited about. With several new restaurants already open at Disney Springs, get ready to get your fix of savory Spanish-style sandwiches, sangria and more coming in 2019 at Pepe by José Andrés. Here’s a first look:

José Andrés’ ThinkFoodGroup recently announced the upcoming opening of the first-ever brick-and-mortar location of its beloved Spanish food truck, Pepe by José Andrés, opening in 2019 at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

Attached to the upcoming, lively new Jaleo location at Disney Springs, Pepe will feature an extensive menu of hot and cold Spanish-style sandwiches including bocatas and bikinis, showcasing the best of José’s native Spain. Additionally, salads, soups and sides along with Spanish sangria will be served, rounding out the menu. Highlights include favorites such as:

  • Pollo Frito, made with breaded chicken breast, alioli, bravas sauce, piparrapeppers, gem lettuce, and sherry dressing
  • Serrano y Manchego, served on crispy Pan de Cristal with tomatofresco
  • Bocatade Vegetales, made with roasted peppers, onion, green asparagus, spinach, and manchego cheese on Pan de Cristal.

“A bocata is a true taste of Spain, believe me. One bite and you are transported by the perfectly crunchy bread with all the flavors coming together in perfect harmony,” said Chef José Andrés. “Pepe has my favorite bocatas from all across Spain and I look forward to sharing them with guests at Disney Springs.”

Pepe Food Truck by Jose Andres

The walls of Pepe are decorated with an elaborate mural by Marc Jesús, a famous Menorcan painter, featuring his ever-happy, blue-skinned female characters. The space, along with the adjoining Jaleo, was designed by celebrated Spanish designer Juli Capella and features a breathtaking exterior and vibrant, theatrical interior décor representing the colorful and dynamic culture of Spain.

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Will Pepe by José Andrés be on your list of restaurants to try?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!

Feb 8 2019

First Look At Jaleo Coming To Disney Springs In 2019

Hey fans of tapas style dining and drinks, if you’re heading to Walt Disney World in 2019, you have plenty to be excited about. With several new restaurants already open at Disney Springs, get ready to get your fix of savory shareable Spanish small plates, sangria and more coming in 2019 at Jaleo. Here’s a first look:

José Andrés’ ThinkFoodGroup, in collaboration with renowned Spanish design firm Capella Garcia Arquitectura, recently revealed details of the striking design of the beloved Jaleo brand’s newest location at Disney Springs. Opening this winter, the 22 thousand square foot restaurant will be Andrés’ largest to date and will bring the spirit and flavors of Spain to Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

Based on the colorful iconography of Spain, the architectural form of the building is inspired by an artichoke, a vegetable native to José’s homeland. The artichoke structure opens up, inviting guests to enter and experience the very best of Spanish cuisine. The petals themselves form pergolas, which extend toward the outdoors. The freestanding, two-story building lacks solid walls and is completely open to the outside, with large windows offering views of the lake while protecting diners from the sun. “There are no cubic forms, no opaque walls, no straight lines: here reigns a plant-like organic structure with its dynamic forms. An avant-garde, expressionist and welcoming architecture,” remarks Juli Capella, principal at Capella Garcia Arquitectura, on Jaleo’s design.

The interior features a double height central courtyard that visually connects the restaurant’s two floors. The idea of Jaleo, the Spanish word for “revelry,” inspires the large, family-style gathering space, inviting guests to share tapas and sangria, gather with family at the foosball tables, or enjoy the more elegant central seating for paellas and grilled meats, anchored by the restaurant’s open kitchen and wood fire grill. Private dining options include two terraces, one overlooking the Disney Springs promenade and another overlooking the lake.

Typical Spanish colors of citrus, namely orange and lemon, offer a welcoming ambience alongside predominant touches of wood and ceramic materials. Stunning artwork includes the “Suit of Lights,” an iconic photo of a bullfighter’s suit from Spanish photographer Rafael Vargas, as well a collage of San Sebastian’s popular Concha beach by photographer Ciuco Gutiérrez, bringing the Spanish landscape closer to Walt Disney World Resort.

Occupying the front-corner of Jaleo and overlooking the main promenade of Disney Springs will be a quick-service concept serving Spanish street-food-inspired sandwiches and salads. The design of the casual restaurant features natural materials and a luminous, open feel, inviting visitors into the friendly space, which is centered around a large mural from Marc Jesús, a famous painter from Menorca. With dynamic visual elements drawn from the culinary delights and landscapes of Spain, Andrés and Capella aim to surround visitors in the culture of their native country and all its creativity.

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Will Jaleo be on your list of restaurants to try?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!

Feb 1 2019

New Details Released About The NBA Experience Coming To Disney Springs In 2019

If you are a basketball fan planning a visit to Walt Disney World in summer 2019 and beyond, Disney has something on its way just for you – The NBA Experience in Disney Springs. Here are the latest details courtesy of Disney:

For the first time, Walt Disney World Resort is giving guests and basketball fans a glimpse of the exciting action coming to the new NBA Experience at Disney Springs in summer 2019. This one-of-a-kind destination – developed by Walt Disney Imagineering in collaboration with the NBA – will feature hands-on activities that immerse guests into the world of professional basketball.

“Developed with the NBA, and inspired by the league’s 29 arenas around the country, NBA Experience will highlight the heart-pounding action and excitement of the NBA world,” said Stan Dodd, Executive Producer, Walt Disney Imagineering. “From training simulations and clock-racing competitions to fan-favorite NBA moments – we’re bringing new experiences and thrilling games to life to make fans truly feel like a star player.”

“The Walt Disney Imagineering team has unparalleled expertise in creating best-in-class attractions for the millions of guests who visit their parks each year,” said Salvatore LaRocca, President, Global Partnerships, NBA. “The NBA Experience will be a destination for basketball fans from all over the world, and we are excited to partner with Disney to bring new and lifelong fans closer to the game.”

NBA Experience will feature something for everyone. Visitors will get a glimpse into the atmosphere at the NBA Draft, participate in their own scouting reports, go through pregame preparations, and step onto the court to make clutch shots and highlight reel-worthy slam dunks. With a dozen unique and innovative activities, guests will:

  • Experience one of the biggest milestones for a basketball player at the NBA Draft with a photo moment that re-creates the atmosphere of the draft stage.
  • Track and improve their jump shots and passing skills in a replicated NBA Combine challenge, complete with a scouting report that highlights their stats at the end of the session.
  • Step onto the court and hear the roar of the crowd as they maneuver through a series of timed shots to aim for a high score.
  • Execute the perfect slam dunk just like NBA superstars, captured by cameras surrounding adjustable baskets.
  • Test their ball-handling skills with an interactive trainer who will challenge them with a variety of dribbling routines.
  • Use an oversized slingshot to launch basketballs at hoops of varying heights, making as many shots as possible before the clock runs out in this thrilling timed challenge.
  • Immerse themselves in the rich legacy and history of NBA and WNBA championship-winning teams.
  • Access a team locker room that showcases up-to-date statistics and visuals of top NBA and WNBA players.
  • Test their knowledge of the NBA and WNBA – past and present – during a trivia game with up to 25 participants competing against one another to be champion.
  • Enjoy two 180-degree cinematic presentations that showcase the in-arena experience moments before the start of the game, as well as special stories from the players’ perspectives.
  • Take a seat at an interactive multi-screen module to watch replay clips from NBA games, using the tools at their stations to make the right calls.
  • Play interactive basketball games, from the fan-favorite Pop-A-Shot to modern video games.

In addition to these games and competitions, NBA Experience will also include a retail store featuring exclusive NBA-themed merchandise designed by Disney.

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Are you excited to visit The NBA Experience?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!