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Yard House to Open on International Drive in Orlando Spring 2014
Darden Restaurants has announced that they will bring their Yard House brand to Orlando in the Spring of 2014.
The location will be on International Drive at the new I-Drive Live development on the former site of the Mercado, just south of Sand Lake Dr.
Yard House is an upscale-casual American eatery (burgers, sandwiches, tacos, steaks, pastas, etc.) that is best known for having more than 100 international, craft and specialty ales and lagers on tap.
I visited the one in downtown San Diego a few years back, and I enjoyed it. I visited during happy hour, with some great drink specials.
Reportedly the Orlando location will have over 14,000-sq-ft, with a seating capacity of 400. It will be the 6th Florida location for the brand.
For more information, or to take a gander at the menu, visit yardhouse.com.
Universal Orlando Resort Unveils Line-Up for 2013 Summer Concert Series
Universal Orlando has released the complete line-up of performers for their 2013 Summer Concert Series.
Gavin DeGraw
Every Saturday night, from June 1 to July 6, the following artists will take the stage at the Universal Studios side of the theme parks:
- June 01 – NE-YO
- June 08 – Big Time Rush
- June 15 – Gavin DeGraw
- June 22 – Earth, Wind & Fire
- June 29 – Adam Lambert
- July 06 – Kip Moore
Access to all Summer Concert Series performances is included with regular admission to Universal Studios Florida.
For guests wanting to visit solely for the concerts, Universal Orlando will offer a special ticket providing one-time access to Universal Studios Florida after 7 p.m. The “Summer Concert Ticket” is priced at $69.99 plus tax and will go on sale beginning May 16 only at universalorlando.com.
Walt Disney World Announces Line-Up for 2013 Eat to the Beat Concerts at Epcot Food & Wine Fest
Yes, the highlight of the annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is all the food and beverage samples available to purchase. But I’d have to say the fest’s Eat to the Beat nightly concerts are also a big draw.
This week, Walt Disney World released the line-up for the 2013 Eat to the Beat concerts, and there are some new names, as well as favorites from past years.
Jack Blades of Night Ranger – photo by M.Snow
Here’s the show calendar:
- Sept. 27-29 – Starship starring Mickey Thomas
- Sept. 30-Oct. 1 – Go-Go’s
- Oct. 2-4 – Air Supply
- Oct. 5-6 – Sister Hazel
- Oct. 7-9 – Sugar Ray
- Oct. 10-11 – Edwin McCain
- Oct. 12-13 – Manhattan Transfer
- Oct. 14-15 – Wilson Phillips
- Oct. 16-17 – The Pointer Sisters
- Oct. 18-20 – Night Ranger
- Oct. 21-23 – Boyz II Men
- Oct. 24-25 – Survivor
- Oct. 26-27 – 38 Special
- Oct. 28-30 – Smash Mouth
- Oct. 31-Nov. 1 – Spin Doctors
- Nov. 2-3 – Christopher Cross
- Nov. 4-5 – Hanson
- Nov. 6-8 – Dennis DeYoung
- Nov. 9-11 – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
Eat to the Beat concerts take place three times per evening (5:30pm, 6:45pm, 8:00pm), and are included with regular Epcot admission.
John Stamos Gets Recruited to Be a NEST Agent by the Transformers at Universal
Actor and musician John Stamos visited Universal Orlando this week and was recruited by Autobots Optimus Prime and Bumblebee to become a NEST agent.
TRANSFORMERS: The Ride – 3D opens at Universal Studios on June 20, 2013.
[Photo courtesy Universal Orlando]
Legoland Florida to Open World of Chima Expansion on July 3, 2013
It was announced this week that The World of Chima expansion will open at Legoland Florida on July 3, 2013.
The Chima storyline centers on eight animal tribes, and the new area will include an interactive water ride called The Quest for Chi, a Lego-building challenge, a 4-D movie and a meet-and-greet with costumed characters.
This expansion is included with regular park admission.
For more information, visit florida.legoland.com.
Walt Disney World to Issue Limited Edition Star Wars Weekends Gift Cards
For the first time, Disney’s Imagineers have created four unique Star Wars-themed Disney gift cards for Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
The cards will be made available over a four-week period, one per week.
Skywalker Mickey debuts May 17. Darth Donald is available May 24. Yoda Stitch goes on sale May 31 and Darth Goofy will be the final gift card released on June 7.
Each card will also contain a hidden Mickey in the design.
They are non-denominational (meaning you choose the amount put on the card) and they don’t expire.
D5 Creation