Pre-Order the New 3rd Edition of The Luxury Guide to Walt Disney World Resort
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Cara Goldsbury
A successful Walt Disney World experience doesn't just happen. It's important to work with a travel consultant who is an expert in their field, someone who is armed with up-to-date, first-hand knowledge. Cara Goldsbury is that expert who can determine exactly what you are really seeking, give authoritative advice, and offer you complete itinerary planning, allowing you to sit back and enjoy. It's a level of personalized advice not readily available.
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A Night on the Town in Orlando
Heavily concentrated around International Drive is a wealth
of fun lounges and wine bars for evening entertainment, some
relaxing and laid back, others filled with locals and tourists alike.
Blue Martini. The cocktails flow at this very popular local hangout in the Mall at Millenia where there are more than thirty martini choices, live entertainment, a very local crowd, and small plate meals. 4200 Conroy Road in Orlando.
ICEBAR Orlando. This bar on International Drive is certainly
an unusual concept. The 27-degree Chill Lounge is made of
floor-to-ceiling ice including the furniture. For $20 per person
slip on a thermal cape and gloves for a 45-minute time period
(the non-ice part of the bar is free), which includes a Grey
Goose vodka drink or a non-alcoholic drink for those under
twenty-one (guests of all ages are welcome). 8967 International
Drive.
Grand Cru. It's a retail shop in the day and wine bar by night.
Offerings include about ten wines by the glass or just choose a
bottle for retail price off the shelf and add a reasonable $3 corkage.
Small plate offerings like artisanal cheeses, flat bread, chips
with gorgonzola, and shrimp wrapped in jalapeno jack cheese
and bacon will curb your hunger. 7730 West Sand Lake Road.
The Grape. A very purple space at The Pointe on International
Drive offers 120 wines for tasting as well as wine flights and bottles.
An extensive small plate, salad, and sandwich menu adds
to the fun. Don't leave without trying the delectable chocolate
fondue. 9101 International Drive.
Press 101 Sandwich & Wine Bar. An elegant ladies-who lunch
sandwich shop by day and a wine bar by night with a
menu of salads, sandwiches, and flatbreads. 7600 Dr. Phillips
Boulevard.
Vines Grille and Wine Bar. At this original Restaurant Row
wine bar, come for a glass of wine with appetizers, then move
to the small but sophisticated dining room offering dry-aged
prime beef, American Kobe steak, wild caught fish and seafood,
all-natural chicken, lamb, and Kurabuto pork accompanied by
locally grown organic produce. Nightly jazz performances makes
this one of the most enjoyable spots around. 7533 W Sand Lake
Road.
Fuego by Sosa Cigars. Mellow out at this tiny spot at Downtown
Disney where patrons sip on martinis and puff away on fat
cigars. Also available are wine, cocktails, beer, and coffees.
Raglan Road. This entertaining pub at Downtown Disney
is a winner with live Irish music and dancing and a full menu
of Irish specialties (avoid Sundays when the band takes a
breather).
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Disney Unveils Unique Residential Resort Community at Walt Disney World Resort
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (June 23, 2010) - Today Disney unveiled Golden Oak, a one-of-a-kind luxury residential resort community offering the unprecedented opportunity to purchase a home at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Especially designed for resort living, Golden Oak will provide an entirely new way for families to connect with the world's best-known family destination and entertainment brand.
"We have a range of options for guests at all price points to enjoy the Walt Disney World Resort. But Golden Oak is something totally new: a residential resort community, right in the heart of the magic," said Matt Kelly, vice president, Disney Resort Real Estate Development. "Golden Oak will be a place where families can come together and make memories for generations to come - with Disney World right at their doorstep."
Golden Oak will offer a limited collection of single family custom homes priced between $1.5 and $8 million, with fewer than 30 home sites available for sale this year. Designed by Disney's famed Imagineers, the gated community will feature intimate neighborhoods and amenities created with everyone in the family in mind. Disney's well-known attention to detail is visible in every park, pathway and the custom-design of the proposed private clubhouse. Expansive conservation areas comprise almost half of the entire 980-acre footprint.
The proposed private clubhouse, concierge services and collection of Walt Disney World Resort benefits will bring Disney's guest service culture directly to Golden Oak residents. As previously announced, Golden Oak is planned to include Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort, combining Disney's renowned service and hospitality with Four Seasons' defining standard of excellence. Golden Oak plans to offer residents access to select Four Seasons' future amenities including the full-service spa, restaurants, golf course and event space.
Initially, Golden Oak will consist of three types of single-family homes. Village Homeswill capture the romantic look of a Mediterranean village on home sites up to one-quarter acre. Estate Homes, on approximately one-half-acre home sites, will offer a variety of architectural styles including Tuscan, Spanish Revival, Venetian, Italianate, Dutch Colonial and Island Colonial.
At up to three-quarters-acre in size, Grand Estate Homes will include architectural styles consistent with Estate Homes and will accommodate the needs of large families. Homeowners will use one of Golden Oak's select custom homebuilders to build the home of their dreams.
More information about Golden Oak is available at www.disneygoldenoak.com. Golden Oak will use a Priority Reservation List for potential homebuyers with an interest in purchasing a home. A position is secured on the list in the order in which a signed Lot Release Priority Agreement and a refundable $25,000 deposit is received. Deposits are now being accepted, with the first completed homes projected for 2011. At build-out, Golden Oak is anticipated to include approximately 450 homes.
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Swim with the Sharks Orlando Style
Take the ultimate dive in Epcot's six-million-gallon indoor aquarium at the Seas with Nemo & Friends with more than sixty-five species of marine life, including sharks, turtles, eagle rays, and diverse tropical fish. With DiveQuest you become part of the show and are guaranteed calm seas and no current with unlimited visibility. Even more fun, your family and friends can view your dive through the aquarium's giant acrylic windows. Guest must be at least ten years of age and must provide proof of scuba certification to participate. Price of $140 includes a T-shirt, refreshments, dive certificate, and a dive log stamp. Call 407/WDW-TOUR for information.
At SeaWorld the Sharks Deep Dive is quite the incredible experience. From the safety of your steel cage you'll be face to face with over thirty sharks of different species in the Shark Encounter tank. Special underwater helmets provide oxygen without the need for scuba gear so scuba certification is not necessary. Price of $149 per person (ages ten and up only) includes a T-shirt. Park admission not included. Call (800) 406-2244 to reserve.
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Capital Grille's Grilled Asparagus
with Meyer Lemon
Asparagus takes on a smoky, rich flavor when grilled, and is complemented beautifully by a sprinkle of Meyer lemon zest.
Ingredients
Large Asparagus Spears 1 lb
Extra Virgin Olive Oil 2 Tbsp
Kosher Salt 1 tsp
Black Pepper, freshly ground 1/2 tsp
Meyer Lemon, fresh 1 each
Preparation
Pre-heat a gas or charcoal grill to high heat.
While the grill is heating, wash the asparagus and lemon under cold running water and drain well.
To prepare asparagus, simply take the end of the asparagus between your thumb and forefinger and bend until it breaks. The stalk will break naturally at the point where it starts to get tough and stringy. If the asparagus is thick-skinned, peel the skin from the spears at the thickest part (about 1 ½").
In a large, clean, stainless steel bowl, combine the asparagus, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Place the asparagus spears on the pre-heated grill perpendicular to the grates on the grill so that they do not fall through grates.
Grill the asparagus, turning frequently, until golden brown in spots and tender (approximately 3-4 minutes depending on how hot your grill is).
Using a fine grater, zest only the rich yellow portion of the lemon rind (avoid the white pith under the rind, as it will give your dish a bitter aftertaste).
Place the asparagus on a platter and sprinkle Meyer lemon zest over top of asparagus. Serve immediately.
Buying Tips: When shopping for asparagus, choose firm stalks with tightly closed buds at the tip. The color should be vivid with no signs of fading, and the ends should be freshly cut and not at all dried out. If you must store them, place the cut end in 1" of water and store in the refrigerator for a maximum of 3 days.
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First Pinkberry in Floridan Swirls Into Orlando
"The taste that launched 1,000 parking tickets" Brings a Welcome Cold Front to Deep South Summer
ORLANDO (June 22, 2010) -- Pinkberry, the number one tart frozen yogurt brand, will open its doors in Orlando this summer at the Marketplace at Dr. Phillips, on the corner of Dr. Phillips and Sandlake Rd. The newest Pinkberry location marks the arrival of the first Pinkberry in Florida. With over 85 stores, Pinkberry Orlando is the latest of many new markets to open recently - including Dallas, Bay Area, Sacramento, New Orleans, Denver, Dubai, Bahrain and Mexico City, with several more new markets to be announced and opening later this summer and into the fall. Pinkberry is a one-of-a-kind frozen yogurt experience. The addition of Pinkberry will introduce Orlando to the refreshing flavors and sophisticated style for which the international brand is known. Bill Harmening II, an Orlando native and local business owner, is the Pinkberry area developer for Orlando. Ron Graves, Pinkberry CEO, says, "We're excited to introduce Pinkberry's high quality, unique frozen yogurt experience to Orlando and we couldn't have picked a better partner than Bill. His enthusiasm for Pinkberry, commitment to quality and outstanding customer service, and 30 years of restaurant operating experience make Bill the ideal candidate to bring the one-of-a-kind Pinkberry experience to this market."
Pinkberry premium frozen yogurt is made with real nonfat yogurt and nonfat milk that is rBST hormone free. Pinkberry is made with only the highest quality ingredients and is the perfect balance of tart and sweet, resulting in a refreshing, clean and craveable taste. Orlando locations will be serving Pinkberry's six distinctive flavors. From its signature Original flavor, a sweet and tangy yogurt with a refreshing finish to Pomegranate, a bold and tangy flavor made with 100% California-grown pure pomegranate juice, Orlando customers are in for a surprising and refreshing treat unlike anything they've ever tasted. In addition, Pinkberry serves an exceptional Coconut flavor, smooth and subtle, made with real coconut puree for a fresh and cool finish, a rich, indulgent Chocolate; and Mango, a fruity and light flavor made with authentic Alphonso mango puree for a soothing finish. Customers can personalize every yogurt experience with any combination of delicious toppings. At Pinkberry, uncompromising quality is paramount and the toppings bar is no exception. Each topping is selected with the highest quality standards, such as Grade-A fresh fruit that is hand-cut daily in-store, organic gummy bears with no high fructose corn-syrup, all natural honey almond granola, 100% pure pomegranate juice, or rich, premium Belgian chocolate shavings. Every item is thoughtfully selected as a unique and delicious complement to the various Pinkberry frozen yogurt flavors. In addition to frozen yogurt and toppings, Pinkberry also offers Pinkberry Fruit Parfaits and Pinkberry Smoothies as fresh and satiating choices for any time of day. Bill Harmening is enthusiastic about the Pinkberry endeavor. "I am thrilled to bring Pinkberry to Orlando," says Harmening. "I am energized by Pinkberry's distinctive taste, innovative store design and unmatched commitment to customer service. I am truly honored to be a part of the Pinkberry team." Local fans who want up-to-the minute news and discount offers should sign up to be a Pinkberry Groupie at www.pinkberry.com/groupie. The brand can also be found on Facebook and at Twitter @pinkberryswirl. Pinkberry is located at The Marketplace at Dr. Phillips, 7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd. , on the corner of Dr. Phillips and Sandlake Rd. For additional information, contact Mary Deatrick at 407-332-5212 or mary@deatrickpr.com. About Pinkberry With corporate headquarters in Los Angeles, Pinkberry reinvented the frozen yogurt category when it launched in West Hollywood, Calif. in January 2005. Today it is the most talked about, best tasting, premium frozen yogurt, made with high-quality fresh ingredients. From store design to exceptional customer service to irresistible flavors and toppings, Pinkberry provides a social experience that indulges the senses. Pinkberry's distinctive flavors are expertly crafted to complement its daily fresh-cut fruit and premium toppings that offer an irresistibly tangy, incomparably clean and refreshing taste. Pinkberry is certified by the National Yogurt Association and carries the Live & Active Cultures Seal. Get a taste of Swirly Goodness by visiting www.pinkberry.com. |
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