I found out that two amazing Duncan Yo-Yo experts have been at Downtown Disney the past few weeks performing tricks and teaching wannabes how to, well, yo-yo. From what I hear, yo-yo masters Takeshi Kamisato and Drew Tetz have been putting on some pretty high-energy shows for guests. Click on the video below to get a glimpse of what you have been missing.

There is one weekend left to see them perform, September 1-5, 2011 at 7:30, 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. at the Waterside State at Downtown Disney Marketplace. They are also doing demos at Once Upon a Toy from 3 – 10:30 p.m. daily. Come check it out and maybe you will learn a trick or two from the super heroes of the yo-yo world.

Yo-Yo Pros Welcome Enthusiasts to Downtown Disney with Tricks to Share by Michelle Baumann: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

There’s something delicious at every restaurant in the Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort. But our go-to spot when we want a sublime taste of California cuisine is Catal Restaurant & Uva Bar. Stylish digs, outdoor tables and creative cuisine are the trifecta for delectable dining.

Open breakfast, lunch and dinner, the morning menu offers a simple taste like yogurt, muffins, oatmeal, berries and toast – or a substantial plate such as smoked salmon hash with poached organic eggs, bell peppers, onions, home fries and lemon-dill hollandaise. Our favorite is the chilaquiles, a toss of tortilla chips, ranchero sauce, cheese, cilantro, two fried eggs and crema. Yum!

If that doesn’t hold you until dinner, stop at Uva Bar where you can eat lightly (tempura fried zucchini blossoms, tuna tartare tacos or an heirloom tomato flatbread) or dig into a fab burger with white cheddar cheese, arugula, applewood smoked bacon, aïoli and caramelized onions. A smaller menu than Catal, but diverse choices.

For dinner, we love a seat on Catal’s outdoor balcony, where people watching is de rigueur with a cocktail and tapas such as roasted prawns, or the generous charcuterie platter with two meats and four cheeses, toasted bread, guindilla and piquillo peppers. We often share an entrée, like the hearty bucatini pasta with roasted wild mushrooms, oxtail, crème fraiche, chives and mahon cheese; suckling pig with baby beets, pistachio emulsion and crispy cracklings; or the simple roasted half chicken with baby green peppers, onions and polenta. If you prefer all-American steak and potatoes, try the prime rib, ribeye, filet or New York strip with Fontina cheese mashed potatoes, asparagus and roasted mushroom red wine jus.

Sweet endings run from an indulgent chocolate tasting that includes fudge, panna cotta, ice cream and more to a lo-cal housemade seasonal sorbet. Then sit back, relax and watch the world go by.

Do you have a favorite Downtown Disney District restaurant?

See other dining favorites from around the Disneyland Resort:

• Why We Love the Village Haus Pretzel Roll at Disneyland Park
• Quick-Serve Dinner Favorites at Disneyland Resort
• Favorite Disneyland Resort Lunch Spots

Catal Restaurant: A Downtown Disney District Favorite by Pam Brandon: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

Not only does the store sell Harley-Davidson branded clothing and accessories for men, women and children, but it also offers families the chance to create their own personalized biker vest.

Here’s a video that takes you inside and shows you how.

Create Personalized Biker Vests at Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World by Jennifer Fickley-Baker: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

Fashionistas of all ages will have a hot new shopping spot at Downtown Disney as Apricot Lane Boutique opens its doors today. The stylish store will offer one-of-a-kind gifts, trendy accessories and all the latest fashions for moms and daughters. My soon to be 13-year-old already has it on her radar for a birthday shopping spree. Good thing the collections are affordable.

Apricot Lane carries a nice mix of celebrity-inspired brands – the kind you would usually find at upscale department stores or fancy shops – including Miss Me, Lucky Brand, Vintage Havana and Chaser. It will be the go to place for fun and unusual trinkets and gifts, while also offering punk rock t-shirts, contemporary sportswear, chic dresses, plus handbags and jewelry for the perfect night out.

The boutique recently opened a location at Downtown Disney in Disneyland Resort in Anaheim with huge fanfare. It will be great for visitors to Orlando and for locals who want to avoid the mall.

Take a look at more of the changes happening at Downtown Disney:

• Downtown Disney Update
• Curtain Rises on AMC Dine-In Theatres at Downtown Disney
• First Look: Waterfront District ‘Hyperion Wharf’ Among Plans for Downtown Disney

Fashion Forward Retailer Opens at Downtown Disney, Walt Disney World Resort by Michelle Baumann: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

Opening today, the Downtown Disney AMC Theatre adds the Dine-In Theatre experience for Disney fans!

The AMC Dine-In Theatre allows guests to watch the latest movies with "seat-side" service, including food and drink options similar to a restaurant.  Disney has converted 6 of their theaters to include cozy seating, table-top dining, reserved seating, and a personal notification button that can be used to quietly call your server at any time during the movie.

Although AMC offers two options of Dine-In Theatres, Downtown Disney AMC will only have the Fork & Screen option, for now.  Fork & Screen is the more casual of the two options, with the Cinema Suites being the upgraded option that's not available at the Downtown Disney location.

The Downtown Disney Dine-In Theatres offer an extensive menu that includes appetizers, entrees – like quesadillas, burgers, and flatbread pizzas – desserts, movie theater candy, and more. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages also are available.

Ticket prices to see films in AMC Dine-In Theatres range from $6-13, depending on the day of the week and the showtime. Menu items start at $6.59-8.99 for appetizers, and $8.59-11.59 for entrees.

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Haven't you always dreamed of taking flight on a hot air balloon ride?  I know I have, but I've always had a fascination with flight in general.

I finally had my opportunity for a balloon flight with Characters In Flight at Downtown Disney.  Well, it's not exactly a hot air balloon ride -- it's a gas-filled, tethered balloon ride and it was a thrill!

I've been skydiving, bungee jumping, screaming down the side of a mountain on my bike.  I'm not a stranger to trill rides and this one was just as much fun as all the others.  Standing below the balloon, waiting for my turn, I looked up 400' in the sky and thought, "Hmm, that's a lot higher than it looks from my car on I-4."

Once on board, you find that the platform feels solid while you're on the ground, but as soon as the wheels lift off, you're conducting a balancing act!  In spite of the safety netting, railing, and solid floor, the tossing of the wind makes it feel like you could fall out, any minute!

As soon as I became accustomed to my wider-than-normal stance to maintain balance, I looked around and wow!  The view was amazing!  I could see Spaceship Earth at Epcot, the Contemporary Resort, Tower of Terror and so much more!  Then, I peered over the edge at the height and loved it!...and so did our kids, to my surprise.  No crying or fussing, at all.

The only complaint I could have with Characters In Flight may be that it's too short.  I could have stayed up a little longer before that cable began pulling us home.  As for that cable and the landing, be ready for a rough one.  You'll find that the balloon tosses back and forth quite a bit as you come back down to the platform and then hit with a good thud!

Weather permitting, the hours of operation are every day from 9 a.m. to midnight.

Ticket Prices:
$18 Adult (tax included) - Guests ages 10 and up
$12 Children (tax included) - Guests ages 3 - 9
Free- Guests 2 and under
Tickets may be purchased at the attraction's ticket window.

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If you're around the Orlando, Florida area, this weekend, you may want to check out the Car Masters Weekend at Downtown Disney.

This event will feature some of your favorite Cars characters, including Lightning McQueen, Mater, and Finn McMissle.  This special event, which will take place on May 13-15, 2011 from 10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily, celebrates the upcoming release of Disney Pixar’s “Cars 2.” This weekend, families can hang out with Lightning, Mater and Finn McMissile, and take part in all sorts of fun “Cars” activities, including a video kiosk, e-photo opportunities and games.

You can also see lots of classic cars on Saturday and Sunday.  RIDEMAKERZ (the RC car mega-store on the Westside) will have "test drives" and other promotions going on, including "Cars 2" RIDEMAKERZ models.  The original Cars movie will also be playing at the AMC 24 theater at Downtown Disney for the weekend.

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Since we talked about Bongos Cuban Cafe, yesterday, I thought we'd mention some of the other great dining locations on the Westside of Downtown Disney.

Downtown Disney Westside offers some great options for dining that many people miss because they never wander outside the main Downtown Disney Marketplace.  My favorites include the House of Blues, Bongos Cuban Cafe, and Raglan Road.  You can also find Wolfgang Puck's and Paradiso 37.

House of Blues

House of Blues is a live music club and restaurant, serving Southern cuisine for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch.  The Sunday brunch is really fun with an all-you-can-eat Southern food buffet and live Gospel music!

House of Blues offers Cajun and Southern favorites such as Voodoo shrimp, slow-smoked baby back ribs, creole seafood jambalaya and Louisiana crawfish grace the menu, along with sizzling steaks, beefy burgers , gourmet pizza and homemade banana bread.

House of Blues fills your soul with good feelings, music, and food!

Bongos Cuban Cafe

The idea behind Bongos Cuban Cafe is that you're in the courtyard of an old Cuban home, with music playing in the background, tables set up to sample the homeowners cooking, Sangria flowing, and more. It's a very open restaurant with lots of outdoor seating and a beautiful bar. You can even find a stage for live bands right in the middle of the restaurant.  They also offer a shop on your way out to get your own copy of the cookbook, as well as many other Bongos souvenirs.

See yesterday's post for more info about Bongo's Cuban Cafe.

Raglan Road

Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant, open for lunch, dinner and late-night light meals in the center of what used to be Downtown Disney Pleasure Island, serves authentic Irish food created under the direction of Kevin Dundon, one of Ireland's celebrity chefs.

Dinners at Raglan Road include modern twists on classics, like creamy colcannon soup, beef stew with a hint of Guinness, and fish 'n' chips, as well as traditional English cuisine like bangers and mash.

Raglan Road also has a great Irish gift shop attached where you can purchase all kinds of items from Ireland.  They also have lots of live music and activities that add to your meal.

Wolfgang Puck's

Not my favorite place on the Westside, but many absolutely love this place.

Wolfgang Puck Café offers a lively and casual restaurant open for lunch and dinner and serves the famous chef's unique fusion of Asian and California cuisine.

Signature dishes at Wolfgang Puck Café include vegetarian dishes, wood-fired gourmet pizzas, hand-tossed salads, piquant pastas, savory sandwiches and decadent desserts.

The sushi bar features tender fish creations prepared by talented sushi chefs.

Paradiso 37

Paradiso 37 is a newer waterfront dining spot in what used to be Downtown Disney Pleasure Island.  Not exactly the Westside, I know, but still falls into that "often missed" category.

This high-energy restaurant and bar serves up unique cuisine inspired by the Taste of the Americas. Menu items from North, South and Central America will be featured for lunch and dinner. Paradiso 37 features an international wine bar and a one of a kind tequila tower bar with 37 kinds of tequila and a selection of signature frozen margaritas.

So, the next time you find yourself at the Downtown Disney Marketplace, try one of these "Westside" attractions for your lunch or dinner....or even your Sunday brunch, alleluia!

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Bongos Cuban Cafe in Downtown Disney is one of the Disney World dining options found in the Westside portion of the Downtown Disney complex. One Orlando's Cuban restaurants, it features Cuban food, music, drinks and atmosphere by Gloria Estefan.

The idea behind Bongos is that you're in the courtyard of an old Cuban home, with music playing in the background, tables set up to sample the homeowners cooking, Sangria flowing, and more. It's a very open restaurant with lots of outdoor seating and a beautiful bar. You can even find a stage for live bands right in the middle of the restaurant.  They also offer a shop on your way out to get your own copy of the cookbook, as well as many other Bongos souvenirs.

Owned and operated by Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Bongos Cuban Cafe offers great cuban food, a very relaxing atmostphere, and the best sangria I've ever had.

Bongos first opened in 1997 in Downtown Disney at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.  The building's Old Havana architecture is dominated by a massive pineapple-shaped adobe structure that fills the skyline of Downtown Disney.  You can find more Bongos Cuban Cafes in Miami.

We tried several items on the menu, including the Combo a lo Bongo, the Cuban coffee, and the Bistec de Palomilla.

The Combo a lo Bongo included several appetizer items that made the dish more of an entree.  It includes Tamal en hoja (spiced pork stuffed polenta), papa rellena (breaded mashed potato stuffed with ground beef creole), croquetas de jamon (minced ham rolls lightly breaded and fried), masitas de puerco (fried pork cubes) and mini tostones (stuffed green plantain cup with spiced beef or shrimp).  Everything on this dish was very good!  My favorite was the papa rellena.

Although I sampled from the above appetizer, I ordered the Bistec de Palomilla.  This is a Bongos specialty that's a thin, tenderized steak seasoned with garlic salt and mojo topped with onions and parsley served with white rice and green plantains.  I'd never had green plantains before and they were super yummy!  Would definitely get those, again, if even as an appetizer.  The steak, however, was found lacking...badly...  Palomilla is known for being full of flavor, yet this one was dry, bland, and overpriced.  The onion/parsley mixture on top of it allowed me to choke the steak down, as it was really good, but the steak...not so much.  Normally, I really like Bongos food, but this is not a menu item I can recommend.

On the drink side, though, I highly recommend the Cuban coffee and the sangria.  The Cuban coffee offered a rich, dark flavor more like an expresso and may be only for those true coffee drinkers, like myself (you can't fill your coffee with a bunch of other "stuff" and still call it coffee, IMHO).

The sangria is by far the best I've ever had (sorry to all my friends that think they serve the "best" sangria at their parties).  Very flavorful, good hints of the alcohol and just the right fruit combination.  Yum!  The only complaint I might have about the sangria is that it goes down too easy!

Bongos Cuban Cafe offers one of those hidden gems that often gets missed due to it's location.  Don't make that mistake on your next Disney vacation.  Come over to the Westside and sample this Orlando Cuban restaurant!

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For those of you that are not familiar with the Kingdom Keepers series, here’s a quick synopsis for you: Kingdom Keepers follows five young teens tapped as models for theme park “guides” and find themselves pitted against Disney villains and witches that threaten both the future of Walt Disney World and the stability of the world outside its walls. Using a cutting-edge technology called DHI – which stands for both Disney Host Interactive and Daylight Hologram Imaging – Finn Whitman, an Orlando teen, and four other kids are transformed into hologram projections that guide guests through the park. The new technology turns out, however, to have unexpected effects that are both thrilling and scary.

Don’t miss the opportunity to meet the acclaimed author of the Kingdom Keepers saga on April 4 & 5, 2011, at Downtown Disney Marketplace and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. To make this special event even more exciting, Walt Disney World has been given the honor of launching Kingdom Keepers IV: Power Play before the national launch of the novel which means Walt Disney World Guests will have the opportunity to get the book the day before it officially releases!

During Ridley Pearson’s special appearances, he will be meeting and greeting Guests, signing copies of Kingdom Keepers IV: Power Play, and even taking time to answer a few of your question about the Kingdom Keepers Series.

You can meet Ridley at the following Walt Disney World locations on April 4 & 5, 2011:

• Monday, April 4 , 2011, in Once Upon a Toy at Downtown Disney Marketplace: 4 – 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 5, 2011, in The Writer’s Stop at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 2 – 5 p.m.

In addition to signing Kingdom Keepers IV: Power Play, Ridley will also be signing all of the bestselling novels from the Kingdom Keepers series, Kingdom Keepers: Disney After Dark, Kingdom Keepers II: Disney At Dawn and Kingdom Keepers III: Disney In Shadow.

For more information on Ridley’s appearance and Kingdom Keepers IV: Power Play, please visit ArtOfDisneyParks.com.

Friendly Disclaimer: On Monday, April 4, Once Upon a Toy will begin selling Kingdom Keepers IV: Power Play at 3 p.m. Wristbands will be distributed to Guests with each purchase of Kingdom Keepers IV: Power Play. A wristband from Once Upon A Toy is required to meet Ridley Pearson. A limited number of wristbands will be available the day of the signing. Wristband supplies are limited and not guaranteed. Once the wristbands have been distributed, the line to meet Ridley Pearson will close.

On Tuesday, April 5, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will begin selling Kingdom Keepers IV: Power Play at park opening. Wristbands will be distributed to Guests with each purchase of Kingdom Keepers IV: Power Play. A wristband from Disney’s Hollywood Studios is required to meet Ridley Pearson If you purchase Kingdom Keepers IV: Power Play at a Disney owned and operated merchandise location, bring your book and Walt Disney World merchandise receipt to Disney’s Hollywood Studios to redeem a wristband while supplies last. A limited number of wristbands will be available the day of the signing. Wristband supplies are limited and not guaranteed. Once the wristbands have been distributed, the line to meet Ridley Pearson will close.

‘Kingdom Keepers IV: Power Play’ Release Party at Walt Disney World by Dara Trujillo: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog