Everyone is anxiously anticipating the opening of Disney’s Art of Animation resort.  Who wants to wait to enjoy elaborately themed family suites and grounds that allow you to walk through Radiator Springs or a canyon with the Lion King’s hyenas on each side.  I know we can’t wait!  Disney’s Art of Animation resort will be a true celebration of the art of Disney and Pixar. But what about the food?  You guessed it — dining will be part of the fun!  Even though the resort will have only a Food Court, it promises to be very different, just like the resort. itself.

The Landscape of Flavors food court at Disney’s Art of Animationresort will focus on fresh, made-to-order foods with flavors from around the world.  Beverages will be a focus as well with fresh fruit smoothies, lemonade and pomegranate limeade made to order.  There will also be organic teas, beer (including gluten free), wine, coffee and juices.  Half bottles of wine will be paired with cuisine from the food shops.  Is your mouth watering? Here’s a sneak peek at what else you can expect to find in the Landscape of Flavors:

• The Soup-Salad-Sandwich Shop lets you create your own salad (with beef or chicken) and offers a caprese sandwich with fresh mozzarella and tomatoes on focaccia, or a Buffalo-style turkey sandwich with arugula and a blue cheese-Buffalo sauce-mayo spread. Both are served with delish house-made potato chips.

• The World Flavors Shop adds Indian-African flair to breakfast, too, with scrambled eggs, tandoor potatoes, Portuguese sausage, slab bacon and a mini-naan; or a veggie flatbread sandwich on naan with cauliflower, spinach and paneer. Lunch and dinner is a choice of tandoori chicken or shrimp, Mongolian beef with vegetables, mahi mahi, Portuguese sausage or roasted acorn squash served with sides and naan bread.

• The Pizza Shop features make-your-own pasta, cheese and pepperoni pizzas and meatballs on ciabatta bread. Room delivery is an option, too.

• The Burger Shop includes a breakfast burger with chicken breakfast sausage, cheese and scrambled eggs on a multi-grain bun, and a steak-and-eggs breakfast burger with a burger topped with fried eggs, cheese and bacon. Besides the traditional burgers, lunch and dinner includes a surf and turf burger with crab cake and fried popcorn shrimp, and a pastrami cheeseburger topped with pepper jack cheese and a slice of fried green tomato.

• The “grab ‘n go” Market Shop offers drinks, yogurt, bagels, pastries, gourmet cupcakes, cookies and gelato.

The Landscape of Flavors will be part of the Disney Dining Plan.

Ready to experience it yourself?  Contact us at 740-953-0373 or at diana@beyondcastles.com for your free quote!  Already booked?  Add us to your existing reservation and get a gift card to enjoy on your trip! Click herefor details.

2012 is going to be an exciting year at Universal Studios Orlando.  New attractions are coming, favorite attractions are being revamped and it’s the 100th anniversary of Universal Pictures.  You don’t want to miss this!

Contact us today at 740-953-0373 or diana@beyondcastles.com and start making your plans to be part of this amazing year at Universal Studios Orlando!

Here’s a sample of what you can expect to find this year at Universal Studios Orlando:

New at Universal Studios Florida^®

 

 

Despicable Me Minion Mayhem

 Opening Summer 2012 

Join Gru, Margo, Edith, Agnes—and of COURSE the mischievous minions—on an unforgettable 3-D ride experience! When Gru recruits you for his latest scheme, you’ll become a minion! It’s a hysterical mix of chaos and family fun for everyone!

Begin the adventure in Gru’s super-villain home where you’ll undergo "minion training." In typical Gru fashion things take a wacky twist, with you and your family landing in a laugh-out-loud adventure that ends with an interactive dance party where you can show off your best moves.

 

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Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular – 100 Years of Movie Memories

 Opening Spring 2012 

Relive Universal Pictures’ most beloved films during this multi-media nighttime show that projects legendary movie clips onto cutting-edge waterfall screens. Narrated by award-winning actor Morgan Freeman, the experience will take you on a journey through epic cinematic moments filled with heroes, horror, laughter, good, evil and triumph.

 

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Universal’s Superstar Parade

 Opening Spring 2012 

Sing, dance, and clap along with some of your favorite characters like the minions from Despicable Me, E.B. from Hop and Nickelodeon’s Dora & Diego and SpongeBob SquarePants in this live, interactive parade! Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy performances and character meet and greets prior to the parade at select locations throughout the day.

 

New at Universal’s Islands of Adventure^®

 

 

The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man^®

 Re-opening March 2012Get set to soar with Spidey like never before! The top-rated ride is getting a radical reboot, complete with all-new high-definition animation, new high-tech 3-D glasses, and upgrades to the audio and lighting making it feel like an all-new experience!

The reanimation of the ride film will include an entirely new level of detail for guests to discover, including a cameo by legendary comic book icon and Spider-Man co-creator, Stan Lee.

 

New at Universal CityWalk^®

 

Blue Man Group, Grand Re-opening February 2012This February, they’re back with a new show. Experience the evolution of genius with incredible new performances, astounding new music, and a new stage. Forget what you know—that was then…this is wow!

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Hollywood Drive-In Golf, Opening February 2012 

 UnivIt’s mini golf as you’ve NEVER played it before! Enjoy 36 holes across two courses elaborately themed to remind you of classic 1950s drive-in movies. Choose your adventure: The Haunting of Ghostly Greens, or Invaders From Planet Putt!

One of the biggest celebrations is coming to Universal Studios Florida-- Mardi Gras!  On Saturdays and select nights from February 11 to April 14th, Universal Studios Florida presents Mardi Gras.  The whole family will be able to enjoy this party as the sights and sounds of the Big Easy come to Universal Studios.

Mardi Gras concert series will feature performances by 14 top- name musicians including Kelly Clarkson on February 18th.

Catch beads with your family as you watch the Mardi Gras parade wind its way through the park, enjoy amazing floats, stilt walkers, street performers and more!

If you are ready for a Universal Studios Mardi Gras getaway, call Diana at Beyond Castles Travel at 740-953-0373 or by email at diana@beyondcastles.com.

Love Tonga Toast but can't get down to The Kona Cafe at Disney's Polynesian Resort to get some? Try some at home!!

Tonga Toast
Kona Cafe, Disney's Polynesian Resort

Ingredients
Sugar-Cinnamon:
3/4 granulated sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon

Batter Ingredients:
4 large eggs
1 1/3 cup whole milk
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon granulated sugar

Tonga Toast ingredients:
1 quart canola oil, for frying
1 loaf sourdough bread (uncut, 12 inches long)
2 large bananas, peeled

For cinnamon-sugar:
1. Mix sugar and cinnamon in medium bowl (large enough to roll toast) with a fork until thoroughly blended. Set aside.

For butter:
1. Whip eggs in medium bowl (large enough to dip toast) until well beaten. Add milk, cinnamon, and sugar. Mix well and set aside.

For Tonga toast:
1. Preheat oil to 350 degrees F in a large pot or a deep fryer (if yousing a large pot, use a candy thermometer to make certain the oil does not get any hotter or it will brun.)(
2. Slice the bread into four three-inche-theck slices.
3. Cut each banana in half crosswise, then each piece lengthwise.
4. Place a bread slice flat on the counter and tear our just enough from the middle (do not tear all the way through) to stuff ahlf a banan into: repeat with each brad slice.
5. Dip stuffed bread into batter, covering both sides, allowing excess batter to drip off bread and place carefully into hot oil.
6. Cook 4-5 minutes until golden brown. If needed, turn toast over after 2 minutes and cook for another 2 mintues onother side. Remove and drain excess oil.
7. Roll toast in cinnamon-sugar. Repeat for each piece of toast.

Ready to plan a trip to Disney's Polynesian Resort to get yourself some Tonga Toast without the work? Email Diana at diana@beyondcastles.com or visit us online.

One of the biggest celebrations is coming to Universal Studios Florida-- Mardi Gras!  On Saturdays and select nights from February 11 to April 14th, Universal Studios Florida presents Mardi Gras.  The whole family will be able to enjoy this party as the sights and sounds of the Big Easy come to Universal Studios.

Mardi Gras concert series will feature performances by 14 top- name musicians including Kelly Clarkson on February 18th.

Catch beads with your family as you watch the Mardi Gras parade wind its way through the park, enjoy amazing floats, stilt walkers, street performers and more!

If you are ready for a Universal Studios Mardi Gras getaway, call Diana at Beyond Castles Travel at 740-953-0373 or by email at diana@beyondcastles.com.

You must book this amazing deal by January 31, 2012.  Contact Beyond Castles Travel today to book your Walt Disney World vacation package or Disneyland vacation package at diana@beyondcastles.com or 740-953-0373

 The new Harry Potter theme park opening in Hollywood is said to be just as impressive as the original park in Orlando, Florida which opened in June of 2010. Universal Studios expects to transform tourism in Los Angeles for decades to come with the new park as they yet again bring your favorite movies and books to life right before your eyes.