Forget the beans/no beans debate, cocoa powder absolutely belongs in chili. If that excites you, then you’re probably from the Midwest. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, never fear you will soon.
Skyline Chili is coming to Disney developed Flamingo Crossings Town Center next year and this Disney fan can’t wait! If you’ve never heard of Skyline Chili, you’re not alone. This fast food chain is only found in the greater Cincinnati OH Area. I get it, when you think chili you aren’t likely to think Ohio but trust me when I say the locals go crazy for it!
So why has a chilli restaurant developed a cult following? Because of the “ways”. Ordering chili here isn’t a simple task, you have to choose between 3 way, 4 way, and 5 way (take it from me, order the 5 way). 3 way is your basic chili with a mountain of cheese on top, 4 way adds onions or beans and 5 way adds both. Oh, it’s also served on top of a pile of spaghetti. The secret to this chili that turns the curious into the addicted is the secret ingredient (pssst! It’s cocoa powder)! It’s truly something you have to try to fully comprehend.
To give you an idea of how popular it is, there are more than 90 locations in Cincinnati alone (yes, I counted). They’ve even written songs about it! This is less a fast food restaurant and more a complete bucket list worthy experience.
Once a treat known only to Cincinnatians and the few lucky enough to have the one off restaurant here and there, soon Disney lovers from all over will be able to experience this gastronomic masterpiece. Set to open in 2023 at Flamingo Crossings Town Center, this location will be located right off Western Way and will be a 5 minute drive or less from Walt Disney World’s gates.
Flamingo Crossings Town Center will also be home to shopping, dining, and budget friendly hotel accommodations. This up and coming location is sure to become a staple for off-property Disney vacations! In the meantime….It’s Skyline Time!
Disney has announced that the Disney College Program, which was suspended in March of 2020 alongside park closures due to COVID-19, is returning. Below is Disney’s communication on how the program will be resumed:
Along with much of the world, we’re encouraged by the progress made possible by rising vaccination rates and recently revised guidance around health and safety measures. And while we’re seeing some additional positive signs, we still have a ways to go to a full recovery. This summer we are opening more Disney hotels, sports and convention groups are returning and we are reintroducing some of our guest-favorite offerings.
As our industry and community continue to bounce back, we have welcomed back thousands of cast members to work and have also restarted our recruitment efforts amid a tight labor market at Walt Disney World. Both of these measures are important indicators toward fully reopening our businesses and getting more people back to work.
Right now, we are also ready to welcome back students and are excited to announce the relaunch of the Disney College Program this June. We are inviting participants whose program ended early or was suspended in 2020 to reapply and join us. Today, May 3, these participants will receive exclusive communication via email about this exciting opportunity.
The Disney College Program has always been a source of optimism and pride for our company with participants who each bring new ideas, talents, and perspectives to the table. While that won’t change, we are evolving our Disney Programs to reflect the new world around us.
Applying to the Disney College Program will be even easier with a simplified application process, a concierge team of recruiters you can engage with on social media, and year-long arrival dates. We have temporarily modified some of our eligibility requirements so that many of you can still apply, even if you’ve already graduated. We’re also developing new ways for participants to shape their future careers, exploring a variety of roles and connecting with Disney professionals as they make magic.
We have also been thinking of other college and university students who may be eagerly awaiting their own Disney experience. Right now, we’re focused on bringing the Disney College Program back to Walt Disney World Resort and will have more to share about Disney International Programs, Disney Culinary Program, and those at Disneyland® Resort later. The good news is that there is much to come in the future of the program, and we can’t wait to share more information with you when that time comes. Keep an eye out here on the blog, follow us on social media, or opt-in for email updates to stay in the know.
Disney has also added some details about the new Flamingo Crossings Village complex, which opened to Cast Members this past December:
We want you to know that we’re relaunching the Program in a thoughtful and responsible way, with the safety of our participants and our working cast always at the forefront of our planning, particularly as we consider a new approach to housing at the new, state-of-the-art Flamingo Crossings Village complex. Those who return to a program this summer will be the first participants to call this beautiful new community home.
Similar to what we’ve done to help reduce risk in our theme parks and resorts, we are also putting in place a combination of measures for our participants. Participants will receive pre-arrival communication regarding our enhanced safety measures, including updates that promote physical distancing, required face coverings in all common areas, and a new contactless, curbside move-in experience. Like many colleges and universities, we’re also modifying the occupancy of our units, giving fully vaccinated participants the opportunity to live with other fully vaccinated participants.
This incredible, state-of-the-art complex will surely dazzle and delight participants, adding to the holistic Disney Programs experience. The apartment complex offers a variety of amenities, including a resort-style pool, study areas, and fitness facilities.
A previous Disney College Program residence, the Vista Way Apartment Complex, was put up for sale by Disney last month.
We previously shared the news that Walt Disney World announced a new retail and dining front in the works called “Flamingo Crossings Town Center”. Disney has revealed several tenants lined up for the 200,000-square-foot retail hub. The newest addition includes the Homewood Suites by Hilton Orlando which is accepting reservations beginning February 18.
Homewood Suites website shared this new hotel offers “Serene suites near Disney World. Just off SR-429, our hotel is only 10 minutes from the Walt Disney World west entrance. There are many restaurants and golf courses within a few minutes. Orlando International Airport and downtown attractions are about 27 miles away. Unwind after a busy day at our outdoor pool, or relax in your comfy, spacious suite with free WiFi.”
Other tenants coming soon to Flamingo Crossings includes Target, PDQ, Five Guys, Ben & Jerry’s, Dunkin’, Walgreens, Wendy’s, Five Below, Domino’s, Ellie Lou’s Brews & BBQ, Firehouse Sub, Persimmon Hollow Brewing Co., Pieology Pizzeria, Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ, UPS store, and more!
With Walt Disney World Resort benefits slowly dwindling (no more complimentary MagicBands, Extra Magic Hours, removal of Magical Express in 2022, and fees for parking), it seems like more and more people are looking at offsite resort alternatives. This new Homewood Suites may be one to check out!
Exciting news on the Walt Disney World retail and dining front! Walt Disney World has a new retail and dining location in the works called “Flamingo Crossings Town Center”. An update to the project shows a list of more retail and dining options to join the project on in west Orange County.
As shared via Orlando Business Journal: The theme park revealed nine more tenants lined up for the 200,000-square-foot retail hub. The center is already expected to be anchored by a Target store, as well as various nearby hotels to accommodate travelers of all types. The theme park giant also shared new renderings.
Here are the new tenants announced:
Wendy’s
Five Below
Domino’s
Ellie Lou’s Brews & BBQ
Firehouse Sub
Persimmon Hollow Brewing Co.
Pieology Pizzeria
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ
UPS store
“These brands will join a stellar lineup of previously announced shops and restaurants including Target, which will serve as the primary anchor, PDQ, Five Guys, Ben & Jerry’s and Dunkin’. Walgreens is also currently under construction on an outparcel,” said Disney, via a release.
A timeline for the new shops was not included, but many other amenities — including the Target — have been slated to be done by 2021, based on past reports. The development will be home to several hotels — totaling about 1,750 rooms — that are completed or under development, including:
SpringHill Suites by Marriott and TownePlace Suites by Marriott, which are both open and operating.
Four additional resorts under construction, including Fairfield and Residence Inn by Marriott, and Homewood Suites and Home2 Suites by Hilton. These properties are expected to be operating by next year.
These hotels remain under development: Hampton by Hilton scheduled to be completed later in 2021.
