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MAY 2009

Fresh Mediterrean Market, located in the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort, is only open for lunch on a seasonal basis. Be sure to check with the Dolphin before your visit. Fresh continues to offer breakfast each morning.

In July and August, Spoodles on the Boardwalk will undergo some minor kitchen renovations in anticipation of its conversion to Cat Cora's new restaurant, Kouzzina, which is due to open later this fall:

-- July 1 through mid-August: Spoodles breakfast will not be offered. During this time, breakfast will be served daily at Flying Fish Cafe, 7:30 – 11 a.m.
-- July 6 through August 1: A buffet dinner menu will be served at Spoodles. A la carte offerings will NOT be available at this time.
-- August 2 through mid-August: The restaurant will be closed completely for dinner. For advanced reservations during the closure, try Captain's Grille at Disney's Yacht Club Resort or Flying Fish Cafe. Same-day walk-up dining also might be accommodated at ESPN Club or Big River Grille & Brewing Works.

All dates are subject to change. The official grand opening date of Kouzzina has not yet been determined.

Animal Kingdom Lodge's Jiko – The Cooking Place features a Wine Dinner Series, offered on the first Thursday of each month, that serves a memorable pairing of exceptional food and superior wines. Join Chef Brett Hill and Megan DeVries with their teams in Jiko's private dining room, the Cape Town Wine Room, as they present a very special dinner featuring modern African cuisine infused with the cultural influences of Europe, India and Asia. The evening begins with a reception, followed by dinner and wine pairings. You may book via WDW-DINE 407-939-3463 OR email JikoWineDinnerSeries@email.disney.com. The price per person is $160 inclusive; this includes 6.5% sales tax and 18% gratuity. Reception starts at 6:30 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m.

The Picnic in the Park meal program at Animal Kingdom now includes two vegetarian items on the menu:

-- Portobello Mushroom and Vegetable Wrap – entree available with Tier 1
-- Tandoori Spiced Tofu and Zucchini Squash – a side dish available with either tier

Seasonal Pricing Returns May 24 - July 12, 2009 at these locations: 1900 Park Fare, Akershus, Biergarten, Boma, Cape May Café, Chef Mickey’s, Cinderella’s Royal Table, Crystal Palace, Garden Grill, Hollywood and Vine, Liberty Tree Tavern (dinner only), ‘Ohana, Trails End, Tusker House. Prices will increase $4 for ages 10 and above and $2 for those 3-9.

APRIL 2009

Paradiso 37, a restaurant and bar featuring cuisine from North, South and Central America, will open in early May at Pleasure Island at Downtown Disney. The menu will represent the 37 countries of the Americas, plus an international wine bar, 37 varieties of tequila and 10 signature frozen margaritas. The new concept was developed by Orlando-based E-Brands Restaurant Group, which currently owns and operates Timpano Chophouse, Samba Room, Taqueria Canonita, Aquaknox, David Burke and other restaurants in a number of locations across the United States. The restaurant will feature nightly entertainment and will be open daily from 11 a.m. until late night.

As of April 7, Disney's Animal Kingdom will be offering a new meal program called Picnic in the Park. As part of this program, you will be able to purchase a meal for the family packaged in an "Every Tree Has Character" reusable bag, which can then be taken to one of a number of picnic spots throughout the park. Plates and utensils are provided. Meals include a choice of entrees, side dishes, desserts, and water. There are two tiers available:

-- Tier 1 features a chicken wrap, ham grinder, tuna pita, or turkey focaccia sandwich, with pricing starting at $24.99 plus tax for a meal for three.

-- Tier 2 offers a choice of rotisserie chicken or ham, with pricing starting at $29.99 plus tax for a meal for three.

A Vegetarian Picnic is also available.

A variety of side dishes and desserts are available. (No modifications or substitutions are allowed.) Guests with food allergies should let the Cast Member know when ordering, and they will contact a chef. You'll be able to place an order at the Picnic in the Park podium located in front of Guest Relations at Animal Kingdom, between 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily. After that time, or if you decide to get a picnic pack after you're in the park, go directly to the podium at Tusker House Restaurant to place the order. Pick-up time needs to be at least two hours from the time the order is placed, and you'll need to bring the copy of the order form as confirmation. The pick-up location is at Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery. Payment is due upon pick-up of the order. If you're on the Disney Dining Plan, Picnic in the Park may be used as a Quick Service Meal (requires one adult entitlement per meal amount). For example, a meal for three will require three adult entitlements.

For details, visit: http://allears.net/din/akpicnic.htm

MARCH 2009

The Diamond Horseshoe will be open as a Table Service for dinner Saturday, April 4 through Tuesday, April 14th. - Hours of operation will be 5:00-9:00 p.m.  - Dinner will be $33.99 for adults, $16.99 for Guests ages 3-9. Prices do not include tax or gratuity. Dinner will be served family-style, all-you-care-to eat, and will offer roasted turkey breast, carved beef, pork loin, mashed potatoes.

Free Dining Packages Are Back!

Electric Umbrella in Epcot's Future World closed through April 6, 2009

Les Chefs de France restaurant As of March 9, guests who dine are being treated to a unique kind of entertainment, allowing them to meet the culinary rat Remy, from the movie Ratatouille. Remy is an Audio-Animatronics puppet who, along with the restaurant maitre d' (a comedic actor), engages guests by performing a series of humorous, theatrical vignettes, using a moving food cart with a silver-domed cheese platter as their stage. Remy can make a variety of noises and comes across as a living, breathing little character with a point of view all his own. The Remy Cart was conceived by WDI Research & Development with support from WDI Creative Entertainment. Remy can be seen 12:30 - 6 p.m. at Les Chefs de France through September 5, 2009. (Remy can also be seen at Disneyland Paris where he's been entertaining guests since last summer.)

A blog in the Orlando Sentinel last week leaked the info that Iron Chef Cat Cora was working with Walt Disney World on a new signature restaurant concept. Today, the story was confirmed. The new eatery, to be named Kouzzina (Greek for "kitchen"), is scheduled to open by fall 2009 in the space currently occupied by Spoodles on Disney's Boardwalk. The restaurant, which will feature Mediterranean cuisine and Chef Cora's philosophy to create simple yet sensational meals, will be owned and operated by Disney. The first and only female Iron Chef on Food Network's "Iron Chef America," Cora is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in New York, and is Executive Chef for Bon Appetit magazine. Cora has worked with Disney to create a Disney Video on Demand series on healthy eating habits, and has been a featured chef at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival and at Disney's California Food & Wine Festival at Disneyland Resort.

Full press release: http://land.allears.net/blogs/dnews/2009/03/celebrity_chef_cat_cora_to_ope.html

Sanaa (pronounced sah-NAH), the new table service restaurant at Animal Kingdom Villas' Kidani Village is set to open May 1, 2009. Named for the Swahili word for "artwork," Sanaa will feature African-inspired cuisine with an Indian touch and will be open for lunch and dinner. The restaurant will serve familiar foods prepared in tandoor ovens, along with slow-cooked specialties showcasing the flavorful spices of Africa. Menu items for Sanaa include Lamb Kefta with Tamarind and Papaya Sauce, Grilled Flank Steak, with spinach and mushroom pancake served with oven-dried chutney, Tandoori Chicken served with basmati rice or seven-grain pilaf, Tandoori Lamb Chops served with basmati rice or seven-grain pilaf, Grilled Pork Chop Loin, glazed with pickled lime and ginger served with sauteed spinach. For photos of these items and more:

http://land.allears.net/blogs/dnews/2009/03/sanaa_at_animal_kingdom_villas_1.html

Effective March 1, 2009, the cost of membership in Tables in Wonderland (formerly Disney Dining Experience) has increased. Regular annual membership in this dining discount program is now $100, for Florida residents who are not annual passholders. Passholders can purchase TIW for $75/year. (The program is open ONLY to Florida residents or Disney passholders.) An additional card for a spouse or partner is $50.

FEBRUARY 2009

The Carnevale di Venezia (English translation: carnival of Venice) runs at Tutto Italia Ristorante, located in the Italy pavilion at Epcot, February 23 to March 4. A special lunch and dinner menu will be available. During the celebration, Guests can choose one of two pre-selected appetizers, entrees and desserts. Lunch ($19 per person) is served daily from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with dinner ($28 per person) from 4:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. Musical trio "Viva Venezia" will give a special performance of traditional Italian music each evening during dinner inside the restaurant. No substitutions on specialty menu offerings will be allowed, and reservations are recommended. Call 407-WDW-DINE (939-3463) to make a reservations.

San Angel Inn, (Epcot's Mexico) will begin renovations beginning May 10, 2009. No other details are available at this time.

UPDATED as of 2/24/09 - renovation has been postponed, new dates are not available. Spoodles (Boardwalk) will have a minor kitchen renovation beginning May 11, 2009 through May 29, 2009. During this time the restaurant will remain open for a limited breakfast menu but dinner will not be served. The Boardwalk Spoodles Pizza window will remain open.

The holiday surcharge for buffet and character meals around the World is returning, as previously announced. Prices for meals during these dates will be several dollars more per person than at other times of the year. The dates affected are April 5 - April 18, 2009, and May 24 - July 11, 2009. For example, at the Magic Kingdom's Crystal Palace, prices will be as follows:

Breakfast: $22.99/Guest (10 and older)--$12.99/Guest (3-9) (regularly $18.99/$10.99)
Lunch: $24.99/Guest (10 and older)--$13.99/Guest (3-9) (regularly $20.99/$11.99)
Dinner: $34.99/Guest (10 and older)--$16.99 Guest (3-9) (regularly $28.99/$13.99)

The new Chef De Cuisine at Animal Kingdom Lodge's Jiko is John Clark. Clark, who joins Jiko after a stint at the Grand Floridian, has been with Walt Disney World 24 years. Prior to Jiko, Clark worked at a number of locations, includng Epcot (at the Coral Reef), and Victoria and Albert's and Narcoossee's at the Grand Floridian.

JANUARY 2009

Sanaa (pronounced sah-NAH), the new table service restaurant at Animal Kingdom Villas' Kidani Village set to open May 1, 2009, will begin taking reservations for Disney Vacation Club Members ONLY (via Member Services) beginning February 16. Named for the Swahili word for "artwork," Sanaa will feature African-inspired cuisine with an Indian touch and will be open for lunch and dinner. The restaurant will serve familiar foods prepared in tandoor ovens, along with slow-cooked specialties showcasing the flavorful spices of Africa.

Non-DVC Members can make reservations at Sanaa beginning February 23 by calling 407-WDW-DINE (939-3463).

The prices at the Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in Epcot's Norway pavilion have increased. New prices are as follows:

-- Breakfast $28.99 adult /$17.99 child 3-9
-- Lunch $30.99 adult/$18.99 child 3-9
-- Dinner $35.99 adult /$19.99 child 3-9

(Note that a additional holiday surcharge will be added on specific dates, currently April 5-18 and May 24 -July 11)

Rainforest Cafe located at Downtown Disney Marketplace is now able to book reservations. Reservations can be made for Monday through Friday; Saturday and Sunday remain Walk-up Only. Rainforest Cafe accepts the Magic Your Way Premium and Platinum package dining and wine entitlements.

Chef Brian Piasecki has left Animal Kingdom's Jiko and is now the new Chef de Cuisine at the California Grill! Brian started with Walt Disney World over eighteen years ago with the Disney Culinary Apprenticeship program. He then proceeded to round out his experience at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort, Disney’s Boardwalk Resort and Epcot’s Coral Reef restaurant.

A restaurant and bar opening in spring 2009 in Downtown Disney will feature Mexican and South American cuisine, an international wine bar and a tequila bar of more than 50 kinds of tequila and 10 signature frozen margaritas. The new, as-yet-unnamed restaurant is being developed by E-Brands Restaurant Group, a multi-concept restaurant group that currently owns and operates Timpano Chophouse and Martini Bars, Samba Rooms, Taqueria Canonita, Aquaknox, David Burke, Salsa Orlando and Canonita Express in a number of cities across the United States. The restaurant will be open daily from 11 a.m. until late night, with nightly entertainment.

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