NEWS: New Wine-Tasting Experience Debuts April 15 at Disney’s Old Key West Resort

Olivia Farnsworth, legendary founder of Olivia’s Café at Disney’s Old Key West Resort, is among the inspirations behind a weekly wine-tasting experience that’ll begin serving Disney Vacation ClubMembers at the restaurant on April 15 as part of Membership Magic.

According to our friends at Walt Disney Imagineering, “Olivia Farnsworth is 60 going on 20. She arrived in Conch Flats [the setting of Disney’s Old Key West Resort] longer ago than you’ll get her to talk about … moved into a small cottage along Turtle Krawl, turned on her stove and changed everything around here for the ‘batter.’ Upwind from downtown, Olivia’s cooking was a hard secret to keep. Dinner traffic boomed. Soon, she began doubling recipes, then double-doubling, then triple-doubling until the math got ugly. She pulled up more chairs, added more tables and sat people on the porch until the floor plan got all cattywhumpus. Finally, to the town’s great relief, Olivia made it official, cinched up her apron and hung out her shingle.”

The new Disney Vacation Club wine-tasting experience at Disney’s Old Key West Resort, scheduled to accommodate as many as 20 Members (ages 21 or older) each Sunday (excluding holidays) from 3-4 p.m. at Olivia’s Cafe, will further explore the legend of Olivia Farnsworth and the resort that surrounds her namesake restaurant, all while Members enjoy a sampling of wines accompanied by bite-sized foods. The price of $30 a person includes tax and gratuity.

Call Member Services for more details or reservations.

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My enthusiasm for all things Disney all started when my parents took our family to WDW for a vacation. My first trip was at age 13. Since that first time, I have made a trip to WDW almost every year from age 13. As far as I knew there was only one place to vacation! My fascination with WDW began on that first trip. I wanted to know how things at WDW operated and what made it so magical. I wanted to know details like how many people worked there and the length of the monorail track. It is that fascination that fueled my interest in WDW. Each year that my family vacationed at WDW, I learned more about WDW as they built more parks and added more attractions. I am not the average fan; I want to know all the details and I love researching the facts of WDW. I research facts through the Internet, books and DVDs. To me, the best part is to conduct research trip at WDW. After college, my father was transferred to Orlando and I moved with my parents. Seeking employment, I applied for a job at WDW. I passed the first rounds of interviews and was proud to join the Disney family as a security cast member! The job was great. It included Disney-specific training and security training before assuming four duties: driving a security vehicle, standing a post, working in a resort or walking a park or other area. Sometimes I even had special duties like working the Epcot Christmas Processional. I would escort the celebrity guests from backstage to onstage. Interestingly, every cast member is given a WDW fact book monthly to aid in answering guest questions. The pocket book contained great Disney facts that added more fuel for my thirst of Disney facts. Well, all-good things must come to end so we moved back to NJ. In the summer of 2010 I moved back to Florida I am now living in Orlando less then 15 minutes from WDW and living the dream and have fun along the way. Favorite Park – Magic Kingdom Favorite Character – Mickey Mouse Favorite restaurant – California Grill Favorite attraction – Toy Story Mania Favorite resort – Bay Lake Tower / Contempoary First time at a disney park – 1976 & have been every year since Who was on your first disney trip – My entire family Favorite disney memory – My first trip and my first trip with my kids How far do you live from disney now – 15 minutes When is your next Disney trip? – every weekend Favorite Disney Movie – Jungle Book & Toy Story

NEWS: New Wine-Tasting Experience Debuts April 15 at Disney’s Old Key West Resort