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Disney construction angers residents

Disney construction angers residents

This article comes to us from the Glendale News-Press.

City officials this week got an earful from a group of local residents who said they are fed up with months of noise, dust and traffic associated with construction on the Walt Disney Co.’s massive creative campus.

At the City Council meeting on Tuesday, residents on the 1300 block of Truitt Street said they have asked Disney and city officials to ease the effects of construction on a new childcare facility being built a mere 30 feet from their homes.

City officials — who told the residents they had passed their concerns to Disney officials and were unaware they had not been resolved — agreed to set up a neighborhood meeting with all stakeholders to address the issues.

“Let’s get some mitigation to this,” Councilman John Drayman said. “I can’t imagine what you’re going through.”

The residents cited constant beeping and other construction noise, in addition to dirt and dust, truck traffic and cramped parking. The worst, they said, included a week of earthquake-like conditions during demolition and dirt compactions that left cracks and other damage to their homes.

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Photo credit by Raul Roa

Good Eats – Cafe Orleans

Good Eats - Cafe Orleans

Celebrate the spirit of Mardi Gras every day of the year at Café Orleans. On a charming shady corner in New Orleans Square, this table-service restaurant serves Creole-inspired cuisine. The authentic food and atmosphere just might make you think you’ve taken a trip to the French Quarter.

Menu

Café Orleans serves delicious food with a distinctive New Orleans flair for lunch and dinner, and seasonally for breakfast. Menu items range from shrimp salad and gumbo to crepes and the restaurant’s famous Monte Cristo sandwiches. Special menu items for the kids include a peanut butter and jelly version of the Monte Cristo. The signature Mickey-shaped beignets are great for dessert or an afternoon snack.

Monte Cristo Sandwich

The specialty of the house is, without a doubt, the Monte Cristo sandwich. Adapted from the French classic sandwich, croque-monsieur, the Monte Cristo sandwich appeared in California restaurants in the 1950s. Featured at Disneyland Park eateries since 1966, it has since become a coffee shop standard nationwide.

Location

When you meander down the narrow streets of New Orleans Square, you are transported into a genteel world of fragrant flowers and leisurely afternoons. Sit down and relax in the gracious dining room or on the shady patio as you watch the boats on Rivers of America glide by.

Close to two of the most popular attractions in Disneyland Park, Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion, it’s also a great place to dine before Fanstasmic! during the summer.

Disney Food Confession – Pommes Frites

Disney Food Confession - Pommes Frites

What is it? Traditional French-fried potatoes tossed with Parmesan cheese, garlic and parsley, served with a Cajun spice remoulade.

Where can you get it? Café Orleans, New Orleans Square Disneyland

Photo Credit: by Disney

If you have a Disney Food Confession email [email protected] or let us know on the Disney Food Confessions Facebook page.. He is accepting Food ideas or Photos if you have them!

Pixie Hollow’s Newest Resident: Vidia joins Tinker Bell in Pixie Hollow

Pixie Hollow's Newest Resident: Vidia joins Tinker Bell in Pixie Hollow

Vidia (pictured, right), one of the stars of the upcoming movie “Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue,” is the newest fairy to become a “resident” of Pixie Hollow at the Magic Kingdom park in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Guests can meet Vidia and her pixie pals — including the world’s most beloved fairy, Tinker Bell (pictured, left) — inside Pixie Hollow at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Vidia, who is known as the fastest-flying fairy there is, began making meet-and-greet appearances for guests Aug. 26, 2010 at the Magic Kingdom.

“Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue” will be released on Blu-ray, DVD and via movie download on Sept. 21, 2010.

Gene Duncan, photographer

Disney workers awarded more than $433K in back pay

Disney workers awarded more than $433K in back pay

This article comes to us from Jeff Weiner at the Orlando Sentinel.

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts has agreed to pay almost half a million dollars in back pay to employees as a result of violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act, the U.S. Department of Labor announced Thursday.

An agency investigation revealed that inventory control clerks in the company’s food and beverage department were not paid for work activities that occurred before and after their shifts, labor officials say.

Officials say the investigation also revealed that the clerks worked through meal times and from home without compensation.

According to a Department of Labor release, 69 employees with receive $433,819 in back wages owed by the company.

“While Walt Disney has specific rules regarding off-clock work, an investigation conducted by the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division found that managers within the company were not adhering to those important policies,” Nancy Leppink of the agency’s Wage and Hour Division said in a statement.

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Exciting Events and Offers Coming This Fall to Walt Disney World Resort

Exciting Events and Offers Coming This Fall to Walt Disney World Resort

Fall brings a number of exciting and special events to Walt Disney World Resort, as well as three offers that will help clients book early and plan their vacations.

Beginning with Night of Joy (Sept. 10-11) and continuing with Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (select nights from Sept. 14-Nov. 1; separate admission required), Epcot International Food & Wine Festival (Oct. 1-Nov. 14; theme park admission required), Children’s Miracle Network Classic (Nov. 11-14; separate admission required) and Festival of the Masters (Nov. 12-14), clients will have so much to see and do during this upcoming season. Travel agents can help their clients select one of the three special offers below that best fit their vacation needs during select dates:

Room Only Offer

Travel agents can book their client’s vacation by Nov. 21, 2010, and help them save at least 25% ** on a room at a select Walt Disney World Resort hotel. And, with great rates available in every category – from Value Resorts to Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts – there’s a price to fit every budget. If agents add theme park tickets, their clients can take advantage of all the fun. Plus, by upgrading to a package, they’ll get special benefits and magical extras.

This offer is valid for stays most nights Oct. 3-Nov. 23 and Nov. 27-Dec. 25, 2010, and Jan. 1-Feb. 16, 2011.

Disney Dining Plan

Clients who purchase a 4-night, 5-day non-discounted Walt Disney Travel Company room and ticket package at select Disney Moderate Resorts by Dec. 20, 2010, will receive a FREE Disney Dining Plan*. This offer is valid for arrivals most nights from Oct. 1-7, Oct. 22-28, Nov. 12-18, Nov. 27-Dec. 2 and Dec. 10-21, 2010, and Jan. 1-5, Jan. 9-13, Jan. 21-Feb. 3, Feb. 11-17, Feb. 25- March 3, May 27- June 2 and Aug. 19-Sept. 29, 2011.Ask about other arrival dates and packages for other lengths of stay and accommodations at other select Walt Disney World Resort hotels.

Free Disney Gift Card

Clients who buy a 5-night, 5-day non-discounted Walt Disney Travel Company room and ticket package at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels by Nov. 21, 2010, can get a Disney Gift Card worth up to $500 FREE***. The offer is valid for arrivals most nights Oct. 3-Nov. 23 and Nov. 27-Dec. 25, 2010, and Jan. 1-Feb. 16, 2011.

The Disney Gift Card can be use at participating locations throughout the Walt Disney World Resort for shopping, dining and more.
To book these specials, contact Pixie Vacations today!
Contact: www.PixieVacations.com
Phone:678-815-1584

Big Thunder Suite a New Incentive and a New Frontier at Disneyland Hotel

Big Thunder Suite a New Incentive and a New Frontier at Disneyland Hotel

Hang onto your hats and glasses because the new Big Thunder Suite at the Disneyland Hotel is the wildest suite in the wilderness.

Located on the 11 floor of the hotel’s Dreams Tower, the new suite offers 1,400 square feet of rustic accommodations inspired by the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad attraction at Disneyland Park. The space is a unique lodging experience for top performers and meeting VIPs and a pioneering way to host a board meeting or hospitality suite.

The Big Thunder Suite adds to the hotel’s growing portfolio of signature suites. Other one-of-a kind options available to meeting professionals include the Mickey Mouse Penthouse, Pirates of the Caribbean Suite, Fairy Tale Suite and two regal suites. Each boasts luxurious amenities and a distinct design.

“The Big Thunder Suite recalls the age of gold rush miners, and its rustic finish pays homage to the world-famous attraction,” said John Mauro, development manager for Walt Disney Imagineering.

Howling wolves sound as the suite’s doorbell. Guests then step into a mine shaft foyer inlayed with Fool’s Gold where they are greeted with the rumble of a steam train. A button on the wall can be pushed to trigger sound effects from the attraction. The mine shaft leads into a living and dining area that separates the suite’s two expansive bedrooms.

In many rooms, repurposed wood from a Midwestern barn is used as flooring and paneling, which is complimented by textured earthen walls.

A stone-hearth fireplace in the living area serves as the suite’s centerpiece and houses a mounted flat-panel TV. When not in use, the TV is concealed by one of the many pieces of attraction concept art found throughout the suite. The living area also includes a surround sound-stereo system and displays antique tools once used for mining gold, including an 1850s gold scale and pan.

The dining area features a knotted table with seating for eight, a wagon-wheel chandelier and a wet bar made of petrified wood. Above the bar hangs a “living portrait” of a gold miner who magically changes activities over the course of the day.

Rustic décor belies the luxurious amenities found in the suite’s two bedrooms. The master bedroom is appointed with a desk, sitting area and king-sized bed with a commanding headboard made of rich wood, brown leather and exposed brackets. The master bath is revealed through a sliding barn door, where a free-standing copper tub is surrounded by a dramatic stone wall. The tub’s copper finish matches the copper piping in the adjacent steam shower, which is tiled with an earth-tone mosaic. A television dwells behind the mirror above the bathroom’s bucket sinks.

The Disneyland Resort is a complete meetings destination that is home to three award-winning convention hotels, a bustling entertainment district and two world-famous theme parks, all within easy walking distance. To learn more about planning a meeting or event at the Disneyland Resort, call 714-956-6556 or visit disneylandmeetings.com.

Marvel Pic of the Day – Marvel Mega Man

Marvel Pic of the Day – Marvel Mega Man

For all those people who love Marvel Super Heroes and Mega Man. This is just part of the overall image from artist suzuran. To see all your Marvel favorites click here.

Disney Parks Blog World of Color Meet-Up Tonight!

Disney Parks Blog World of Color Meet-Up Tonight!

I was lucky enough to be one of 300 people who got into the World of Color meet-up set up by Disney Parks blog. It’s Thursday August 26th! In addition to having a great view of the show, we’ll have a panel discussion with Steven Davison, Vice President of Parades and Spectaculars, Sayre Wiseman, Director of Show Production, and Mary Niven, Vice President of Disney California Adventure park and Guest Services. Guests at the meet-up will get the opportunity to ask the show’s creators about their experiences, what the show means to them, and any other questions about World of Color. How exciting!

This is the second meet-up hosted by Disney Parks blog. Back in May, they hosted a Toy Story Mania meet-up, where guests rode the ride after park hours and learned about upcoming ride changes.

I’ll be doing my best to record the panel discussion so I can transcribe it for everyone to read. Look for a post about the meet-up in the next few days! (Transcribing takes a lot of work!)


Photo courtesy of Disney Parks Blog.

Good Eats – Rancho del Zocalo

Good Eats - Rancho del Zocalo

Bring all your amigos and indulge in classic Mexican cuisine on a beautiful bougainvillea-shaded hacienda patio. Exotic painted tiles, flowing fountains and stunning Mexican glass lanterns adorn the peaceful oasis. Sit back relax at this quick-service, fiesta-style restaurant.

The Menu

La Victoria, a California specialist in salsa and sauces since 1917, brings you the best dining north of the border. Entrees include citrus fire-grilled chicken, 4 cheese enchiladas, soft tacos, burritos and even a tostada salad. Don’t say “adios” without trying the Tres Leche cake, flan or chocolate praline cake.

History

“Rancho del Zocalo” translates to mean “Ranch of the Square” in English. The word “zocalo” has an interesting history at Disneyland Park. The open area at the entrance to Frontierland used to be called “El Zocalo” or “town square.”

Photo credit by disney

Disney Food Confession – Citrus Fire-Grilled Chicken

Disney Food Confession - Citrus Fire-Grilled Chicken

What is it? Citrus Fire-Grilled Chicken – 1/2 Chicken, seasoned in a savory marinade of cumin, garlic, cilantro, lemon & lime

Where can you get it? Rancho del Zocalo, Disneyland Park

Photo Credit: by Disney

If you have a Disney Food Confession email [email protected] or let us know on the Disney Food Confessions Facebook page.. He is accepting Food ideas or Photos if you have them!

New Disney’s Hollywood Studios show gets a name: Disney Channel Rocks!

New Disney's Hollywood Studios show gets a name: Disney Channel Rocks!

This sad article comes to us from the Orlando Sentinel.

The new street show coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in October has a name: “Disney Channel Rocks!” (That’s the name, not a personal interjection.)

The show, as previously reported, will replace the current High School Musical 3: Senior Year — Right Here! Right Now! and have a similar format, only with one less exclamation mark.

“Rocks!” will feature music from the Disney Channel stable of hits, including “Camp Rock” and “StarStruck,” but retain some “High School Musical” elements as well. It will debut on Oct. 22

The last chance to take in the HSM3 show is Oct. 22.

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