Tag Archives: Disney Springs

Mar 25 2019

More Cars Fun Coming To Hollywood Studios In 2019

Great news for fans already looking forward to the March 31, 2019 opening of Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy at Hollywood Studios, there is even more Cars fun coming our way. Here’s the scoop, courtesy of Disney:

When Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy speeds into Disney’s Hollywood Studios on March 31, the world of Disney•Pixar’s “Cars” will unfold all around you, and the fun and excitement extend beyond the show into the courtyard outside Sunset Showcase, with special entertainment, photo ops, and more.

Piston Cup Champion Cruz Ramirez is stopping by to meet and take photos with all her fans, and DJ, the ultimate party on wheels, has hit the open road and made his way east, bringing his own incredible music mix to liven things up.

Several times daily, things kick into gear for “DJ’s Ready! Set! Party Time!” as Lightning McQueen’s Pit Crew arrives on the scene, getting everyone around DJ engaged in entertaining “Cars”-inspired dances and games. It all makes for some high-octane fun, starting March 31 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

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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.

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Raglan Road
Mar 11 2019

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day 2019 In Walt Disney World

If you will be visiting Walt Disney World around St. Patrick’s Day and are looking for a fun place to celebrate, look no further than Raglan Road Irish Pub in Disney Springs. This year’s Mighty Festival runs from Friday, March 15 through Sunday, March 17. Here’s the scoop, courtesy of Disney:

The Raglan Road Mighty St. Patrick’s Festival presents three days and nights of live Irish music March 15-17 headlined by one of Celtic rock’s hardest working bands, the Young Dubliners. Nine bands in all join the talented Raglan Road troupe of Irish dancers to feature non-stop entertainment from mornings and on into late night during the annual celebration.

Families can enjoy the festival atmosphere while dancers invite children on stage for a fun dance lesson. Late-night revelers can grab a seat for a hearty rock- and Irish-infused live performance by Young Dubliners, who play hundreds of shows to thousands of fans across the United States and Europe every year.

Raglan Road co-owner John Cooke says fans of the annual celebration of all things Irish will be sure to hear something new: “We’ll also mix it up with some unique musical collaborations by our in-house artists.”

Plan ahead for the fun.  On March 17, St. Patrick’s Day, guests will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis with a $10 cover charge for each guest age 18 and older. Reservations can be booked for other festival days (no cover) by calling 407-938-0300. Guests can enjoy a mighty selection of beers, whiskeys, and craft cocktails to pair with exceptional pub grub and more elegant Irish fare while musicians and dancers perform on multiple stages, indoors and out, from 3pm to 1:30am March 15 and 11am until 1:30am March 16 and 17 (Pub opens at 9am for seating Saturday and Sunday).  Mighty Festival guests can accent their Irish holiday attire with complimentary face painting March 15 from 3-9pm and March 16-17 from 10am-8pm. For the entertainment schedule, please click here.

Here’s more about the entertainment lineup:

  • Young Dubliners – One of Celtic rock’s hardest working bands, the Young Dubliners play hundreds of shows to thousands of fans across the United States and Europe every year. Young Dubliners are known for their hearty rock and Irish-infused live performances.
  • Ben Gunnery – Irish music superstar and multi-instrumentalist Ben Gunnery, who studied at prestigious music conservatories, has toured since age 14. Now 39, he has been soloist for high-profile productions like Riverdance and films including “Lord of the Rings” and Harry Potter movies. Ben will appear on Raglan Road stages for his first Mighty Festival.
  • Briste — This inspiring all-female duo includes Emma Robinson (flute, whistle) and Joanna Boyle (banjo, vocals). Blending their rich musical backgrounds, Briste creates a fresh and exciting mix of country, folk and Irish traditional music.
  • The Byrne Brothers — An exceptionally talented traditional Irish music family from Donegal. They are Luca, 14 (button accordion); Finn, 12 (banjo, mandolin and whistle); Dempsey, 9, (whistle and bodhran); and father, Tommy (guitar, Uilleann pipes, fiddle, whistles, bagpipes and bodhran). Their show combines exciting Irish tunes with modern dance beats, and they love to interact with every audience.
  • The Raglan Roots Coalition – This edgy house band is known for its soul-rockin’ Celtic bluegrass with hip-swingin’, knee-shakin’ funky roots beats. Emily Furlong (guitar, vocals, banjo); Blain Curtis (guitar, vocals); Ben Roe (percussion); Keelan Kelly (bass); and Ellen Daly (fiddle) will get everyone in the St. Paddy’s spirit.
  • Reel Republic – Hailing from the four corners of Ireland, Aisling Egan-Sage (fiddle); Liam O’Keefe (box, vocals); Niall McIlroy (guitar, flute); and Eleanor Roe (keyboard, vocals, bodhran) are Reel Republic 2.0, seriously talented musicians always pushing to make the next gig better than the last.
  • Trad Gad – Three talented musicians from Kerry, Dublin, Colin Foley (guitar, vocals); Fionn Morrison (Uilleann pipes, whistles); and Ciara Ni Bhrian (guitar, fiddle, mandolin, Uilleann pipes, tin whistle, banjo and bazouki, charm Raglan Road audiences with their vibrant performances.
  • Maca – Three Irish sister-musician-songwriters dubbed “Ireland’s next big thing” are rocking Raglan Road Pub stages with their extraordinary talent. Saoise Carty (guitar,vocals); Naoise Carty (Fiddle, vocals); and Ciara Carty (Bodhran) are from Wexford, Ireland.
  • High Road — Three talented musicians hailing from Galway, Kilkenny and Glasgow meet in the middle to play a crowd-pleasing symphony of traditional Irish tunes and songs. Hannah NcNeil (fiddle, banjo, vocals); Aidan Byrne (guitar, vocals); and Roisin Broderick (concertina) rock the stage.
  • The Raglan Road Irish Dancers – Plucked from the cast and stages of the world’s greatest Irish dance shows, the Raglan Road Irish Dancers perform throughout the Mighty Festival. You can even learn some traditional Irish dance steps – no experience necessary!

Guests can order from Raglan Road’s brunch, lunch, dinner and bar menus that include new menu items like the Guinness-infused Bangin’ Bangers and Mighty Mash and In Cod’s Way – pan-seared north Atlantic cod with lemon and herb crushed potatoes, garden peas with tomato and caper butter sauce. Traditionalists can dig into the pub’s loin of bacon and cabbage, the authentic Irish dish of St. Patrick’s Day, plus other pub classics.  Throughout the event, the restaurant’s Cooke’s of Dublin counter-service eatery will offer Irish favorites, as well, including fish and chips, now available by mobile ordering.

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Mar 1 2019

First Look At Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy Coming To Hollywood Studios In 2019

Hey fans of the Radiator Springs gang and Lightning McQueen in particular…KaChow! I have exciting news if you’re heading to Walt Disney World soon…Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy will be racing from the starting line at Hollywood Studios on March 31, 2019. Here’s a first look at what we can expect, courtesy of Disney:

Learn what it takes to be a champion racer from the legendary Lightning McQueen at Sunset Showcase.

To kick things off, Lightning demonstrates what he’s learned over the years by using his brand-new, state-of-the-art racing simulator and its wraparound screen. Of course, as this seasoned racer has discovered throughout his career, things don’t always go according to plan, and he has to think fast to get back on course.

With Tow Mater, Cruz Ramirez and the gang from Radiator Springs rooting him on, Lightning gears up for the challenge. Will he emerge victorious? Speed on over to find out.

Bonus: after the show, you’ll even have the chance to snap a photo with trainer-turned-racer Cruz Ramirez just outside the Academy.

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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.”

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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?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!