Here is a preview of Valentines 2012 La Luce below.

Soup 9

Cream of Tomato, Goat Cheese Crema

Appetizer 10

BRUSCHETTA BACCALA

Salted Cod and Potato Puree

Tomato and Black Olive Tapenade

OVEN ROASTED OYSTERS 3 each

Lemon, Garlic Butter, Pangrattato

Pizza 18

Wild Mushrooms, Soft Egg, Guanicale, Truffle Cheese

Risotto Milanese 36

Veal Osso Buco, Saffron, Asparagus, Reggiano, Orange Gremolata

Primi

CRAB RAVIOLO 28

Lemon Mascarpone, Ricotta, Tarragon

BUCATINI AMATRICIANA 18

Bacon, Tomato, Oninon, Chilies, Pecorino Romano

Pesce

Pan Roasted Red Snapper 34

Fregola Citrus Salad, Preserved Lemon Aioli

To make a reservation for dinner at La Luce, please call 407-597-3600.

New Year’s Eve at Waldorf Astoria Orlando

• A Prelude to the Countdown Fireworks Show Bonnet Creek Resort begins the celebration one night early – a prelude to the countdown – with a private fireworks show for our guests, on Friday Dec. 30 at 9pm.  The pyro show is launched over the Waldorf Astoria Golf Course, giving priority views from the pool deck, signature island, or Peacock Alley terrace.

• Down Memory Lane – A Bull & Bear New Year’s Celebration  Join us at Bull & Bear restaurant for Orlando’s exclusive New Year’s Eve experience at Waldorf Astoria.  Gather with us as we look to our past, present and future for culinary inspiration… a journey that unfolds throughout five courses prepared by Chef David Sears!  Find out why Bull and Bear was named “Best Fine Dining” in Orlando Home & Leisure’s Silver Spoon Dining Awards issue.

“A Trip to the Past, Present, and Future”
Bull & Bear – Served 6pm to Close

• An inspired 5-course prix-fixe holiday meal from Chef David Sears
• Enjoy live sax music from 8pm until 10pm
• $149 per person
• $59 for children under 12 years of age
• Wine pairing available, but not included in the prix-fixe price
• Children are encouraged to attend the on-site WA Kids ‘Rock in the New Year’ Party, available through WA Kids Club.

Dress:  Jacket and tie required; black-tie preferred

Reservations:  Please call Manny Belete or Alexandria Herndon at 407-597-5409

[Note:  In addition, a special Bull & Bear VIP package is available that includes a suite for two nights, dinner at Bull & Bear, a private New Year’s Eve party at Sir Harry’s, golf, and breakfast.]

• Rock in the New Year – A Kids Club Party!   Join us for special entertainment and activities all evening long, as we rock in 2012! The Kids Club party is from 7pm-12:15am and is $99 per child, which includes dinner. Reservations for children ages 5-12 must be made in advance through Concierge, or by calling WA Kids Club 407-597-5388.
• Extended complimentary transportation to Disney theme parks, which are open late to ring in the New Year!
• Waldorf Astoria Spa by Guerlain – Whether you’re looking for a special hairstyle before the big night out, a manicure with some added sparkle, or just a moment of indulgence to reflect on auld acquaintance, the spa is the perfect place to celebrate the holiday. 
•  New Year’s Day Breakfast Buffet (7am-11am) at Oscar’s.   Info:  407-597-5500.

For more information on the holiday weekend or to book your stay, please click here.

New Year’s Eve at Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek

• A Prelude to the Countdown Fireworks Show Bonnet Creek Resort begins the celebration one night early – a prelude to the countdown – with a private fireworks show for our guests, on Friday Dec. 30 at 9pm.  The pyro show is launched over the Golf Course, giving priority views from the pool deck, or Sena terrace.
• For New Year’s Eve, Zeta Bar will be transformed into the “Bubble Lounge,” featuring live entertainment from 8pm until midnight, and a selection of champagnes by the glass and bottle.  See the ball drop on 10 large-screen televisions.  Info:  407-597-3600.  (Note:  there is no cover charge, and reservations are not necessary.)
• New Year’s Eve at La Luce – Guests can dine on a special holiday menu with features prepared by Donna Scala.  Reservations suggested:  407-597-3600.
• New Year’s Eve Holiday Buffet – Enjoy a special dinner buffet from 5-10pm at Harvest Bistro, where kids dine for free!  And to celebrate the New Year, adults will receive one complimentary glass of champagne.  Prices $39 for adults.  Children under 12 dine free (up to two complimentary child meals per full-price adult meal).  For more information, please call 407-597-3600.
• Rock in the New Year – A Kids Club Party!   Join us for special entertainment and activities all evening long, as we rock in 2012! The Kids Club party is from 7pm-12:15am and is $99 per child, which includes dinner. Reservations for children ages 5-12 must be made in advance through Concierge, or by calling WA Kids Club 407-597-5388.
• Extended complimentary transportation to Disney theme parks, which are open late to ring in the New Year!
• New Year’s Day Breakfast Buffet from 7-11am at Harvest Bistro.  Kids under 12 dine free (up to two complimentary child meals per full-price adult meal).   Info:  407-597-3600.
• Spa by Guerlain – Whether you’re looking for a special hairstyle before the big night out, a manicure with some added sparkle, or just a moment of indulgence to reflect on auld acquaintance, the spa is the perfect place to celebrate the holiday.  
• New Year’s Holiday Recreation Activities – Join us for fun holiday activities for the entire family, including Fireside Fun: Face Painting & S’mores, Florida Snowman Bowling, New Year’s Day Balloon games, Dive-In Movies and much more! For a complete list of holiday recreation activities, please visit the Concierge’s desk, or call 407-597-3688.

For more information on our holiday weekend activities at Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek or to book your stay, please click here.

The Christmas trees are up, the decorations have been hung, and holiday cheer is in the air! In celebration of a popular holiday tradition, Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek will be building our very own Gingerbread House…and our guests can join in on the fun!

On Friday, November 25 at 7am, our team of pastry “elves” will begin to build our colossal 7ft tall gingerbread house – right inside the hotel lobby…and we want YOUR help!

That’s right, our guests are invited to decorate their own gingerbread “shingles”, which will be placed on the house, and displayed for all of our guests to enjoy!

Join us on Saturday, November 26 from 1pm – 5pm and Sunday, November 27 from 10am –1pm and help us decorate the house!

If you have questions about our holiday activities, please contact the Concierge’s desk at 407-597-3688.

While in Orlando, enjoy the special holiday programming at Walt Disney World theme parks, including The Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios,  Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom, Grinchmas at Islands of Adventure, and Candlelight Processional at Epcot.

• Explore the colossal 8- by 12-foot gingerbread house in our lobby!  Grab a special holiday dessert created by our in-house bakery… or step into MUSE, our lobby sweet shop, for an ice cream cone… caramel apple… or a holiday latte!

• Need some help to celebrate in your guest room?  Our elves can visit your room to magically infuse a holiday scent of your choice, including sugar plum, gingerbread, and cinnamon.    Or, pre-order cookies and milk — what better way to celebrate the holidays? (To order, use your online menu that comes with your pre-arrival welcome email, or call In-Room Dining upon arrival)

Harvest Bistro

• On Christmas Day, enjoy our popular Christmas Dinner Buffet at Harvest Bistro, from 5pm – 10pm.  This Christmas feast includes traditional holiday entrees, served up by our team of talented chefs.  A delightful dessert buffet will ensure nobody leaves hungry! Prices $29 for adults.  Children under 12 eat free (up to two complimentary child meals per full-price adult meal).

• Enjoy Dinner with Santa at Harvest Bistro, Dec. 22, 23 and 24.  Santa will make appearances from 6-9pm, in front of Harvest Bistro.  Don’t forget your camera and Christmas list!

• Enjoy the Christmas Eve Holiday Buffet at Harvest Bistro, from 6-10pm on Dec. 24.  Prices $24.99 for adults.  Children under 12 eat free (up to two complimentary child meals per full-price adult meal).

La Luce by Donna Scala

• Enjoy family recipes at Orlando’s most talked-about new restaurant, featuring recipes that have been handed down from generation to generation.  Enjoy our special ala carte holiday features from Donna Scala.

Sena Lounge and Zeta Bar

•  ’Tis the season for some adult fun!  Join us at our lounges for holiday cocktails, including Ultimate Christmas Candy, Pumpkin Spice Martini, Nut Cracker Surprise, and Pumpkin Chai Cooler.

Beech Pool Bar

• Enjoy specialty holiday cocktails and a Rum Bar.  At sundown, we feature s’mores at our poolside fire pits (nominal fee for s’mores kits).

For Families

•  At the Hilton pool, it’s a Holiday Festival of Fun!  Join us for weekend pool parties, including music, crafts, and  games.
• Join us for our nightly Dive-In Movies at the pool!

(Note:  transportation is not provided for ticketed late-night special events, like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party)

To book a room at Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, please visit here, or call 888-353-2013.

Did you know that most meals we eat today are better traveled than we are?   It’s not unusual for a tomato, for instance, to be grown in California and shipped by truck to Florida, where it is served at a restaurant located down the street from a tomato farm.

Bonnet Creek restaurants, including La Luce and Harvest Bistro have passionately worked to “source” food items from our own backyard, whenever feasible.  This is a concept known as “buying local.”

In celebration of this trend, Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek is proud to participate in EAT LOCAL WEEK, Nov. 11-18.  This is a week long celebration of local food, community and culture in Central Florida—created by more than 30 area farmers and food artisans, together with area restaurants. These participating restaurants, like La Luce by Donna Scala, offer prix-fixe menus ranging from $10 to $40, featuring ingredients sourced no more than 200 miles from Central Florida.

La Luce’s menu highlights the very best that Central Florida has to offer, including King Farm’s mustard greens and heirloom tomatoes, B&W Farm’s salad greens, Port Canaveral shrimp, Winter Park Dairy’s blue vinaigrette, and even a bread pudding soaked with Palm Ridge Reserve Whiskey, made in a micro-distillery located on a small cattle farm near Umatilla, Florida.  To view La Luce’s Eat Local Week menu, please click here.

To learn more about EAT LOCAL WEEK, visit the website, at:  http://www.eatlocalweek.com/

For more information on La Luce or to make a reservation,  please call 407-597-3738.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Waldorf Astoria Orlando

• Little ones can enjoy a memorable Mrs. Claus Holiday Tuck-In, where they are visited by Mrs. Claus at bedtime, complete with a snack and bedtime story (Available Dec 24, from 7-9pm. Advance reservations required, by calling Concierge. Cost: $49 per room)

• You’re invited to our Waldorf Astoria Yuletide Reception on Saturday Dec 17 and 24. This nighttime event, from 5:30-7:30pm, includes Holiday Caroling by the Poolside Fire, where you can make chocolate s’mores and enjoy hot cocoa.

• Enjoy hot cocoa and hot wassail around the poolside fire, Dec. 3 and 10, from 5:30-7:30pm.

• Enjoy a complimentary hot spiced cider in the lobby Dec. 17-31, from 11am-7pm.

• Waldorf Astoria holiday visitors can order Christmas Trees to deck the halls of their guest rooms. The hotel features table top trees available for advance purchase. For additional convenience, a guest can send their holiday gifts ahead of their stay to be set by the tree in their room upon arrival.  Advance notice is required.  For details and pricing, guests can contact WAOGuestRecognition@hilton.com.

Peacock Alley

Bar Du Chocolat

• It’s a chocolate-covered holiday season at Waldorf Astoria Orlando, which will feature Bar du Chocolat, an exotic display of chocolate treats from around the world, from 4-7pm every Friday and Saturday Evening, November 25 through December 31.

Bar du Chocolat is an evening opportunity to experience nearly 30 ala carte chocolate treats from Waldorf Astoria’s dynamic display of decadence. Peacock Alley is transformed into a chocolate boudoir, offering an evening of self indulgence. Guests can choose from a signature selection of chocolate treats from the hotel’s talented executive pastry chef Kurtis Baguley, featuring time-honored recipes from around the globe. Highlights include handmade chocolate truffles, exotic chocolate cakes, rich Hanukkah gelt, gourmet cocoa, pillows of chocolate mousse and bowls of beautiful bon-bons. [priced per piece]

• Join us nightly for Holiday Entertainment at Peacock Alley, featuring live lounge performances from 5-9pm (Sundays through Fridays) and 8:30-11:30pm (Fridays and Saturdays). [Friday schedule may vary]

• Enjoy a specialty holiday drink.

• Join us for our first Christmas Royal Tea (December date TBA), a charming new Waldorf Astoria Orlando holiday tradition. Spend time together as you nibble on tea sandwiches and holiday pastries, and drink tea and cocoa. Seating based on availability.

Bull & Bear 

• On Christmas Eve, Bull & Bear opens an hour early (at 5pm), featuring an a la carte menu. Reservations recommended: 407-597-5500.

• Enjoy a four-course holiday meal, served on Christmas Day from 6-10pm. This dining experience includes a choice of entrees, including a holiday goose carved tableside, along with special selections created by Chef David Sears. The standard Bull & Bear ala carte menu will be available. Prices: $95 per person (and $50 for children under 12), or $125 with wine pairings. Prices exclude tax and gratuity. Reservations recommended: 407-597-5500.

Oscar’s

• On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Oscar’s will feature a holiday family dinner buffet from 6-10pm. This special feast will include classic holiday fare, new Waldorf Astoria traditions, and a special dessert finale. Holiday dinner buffet is $42 person, excluding tax and gratuity. Children under 12 are $22 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Reservations: 407-597-5500.

• Christmas Morning Breakfast Buffet (7am-11am) at Oscar’s. Information: 407-597-5500.

 WA Kids Club

• Kids Holiday HQ — ‘Tis the season during the month of December, when the WA Kids Club will feature a daily holiday activity for children ages 5-12, including gingerbread surprises, holiday story time, kids baking and cooking classes, s’more assembly, crafts, and movie matinees.

• Astoria After Dark – Holiday Edition -- The WA Kids Club popular dinner program for children ages 5-12 is transformed to “Santa’s Workshop” every Friday and Saturday night, from 7-10pm. While parents spend the time dining (or holiday shopping at nearby Downtown Disney), kids will be able to design their own wooden craft (elf style!), participate in holiday activities, like stringing popcorn, ornament making, and write letters to Santa.  This program, which includes dinner, is $75 for one child, $125 for two children and $25 per each additional child. Dinner will include a holiday dessert — s’mores! Reservations are required; please call 407-597-5388 to reserve your child’s space or for more details.

Best of Waldorf Astoria Winter Package

Book the Best of Waldorf Astoria Winter package for your holiday stay and receive breakfast for two and a $50 resort credit!

To book the package, please visit www.waldorfastoriaorlando.com or call 888-353-2009.

(Note: transportation is not provided for private late-night special events, like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.)

Every year, Guerlain causes a sensation when it releases the fall season’s limited-edition Holiday Color Collection.  This year has been no different. 

Join us at Waldorf Astoria Spa by Guerlain for an exclusive sneak preview of Guerlain’s “Belle de Nuit” Holiday Color Collection 2011 on Thursday, November 17 at 6pm.

Guerlain’s National Education Director, Matthew Henderson, will be the guest speaker for the event. Henderson, trained in France with Guerlains’s top researchers, will be leading make-up demonstrations and giving tips on how to apply the new holiday colors.

Guerlain’s Holiday 2011 make-up collection Belle de Nuit takes inspiration from Vol de Nuit, a fragrance created in 1933 in homage to the brave aviators of the 1920s.  This is a collection you’ll want to experience!

To RSVP for complimentary admission, please email valarie.maloff@hilton.com.

Want to share this event with your friends? Post this event on Facebook by clicking the link here

Just Dance

That’s right, Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek will be the first public venue where our guests can  preview and play the highly-anticipated Just Dance 3 before it even hits stores for all consoles on October 11, 2011.

How you ask?

Well, we’ve  partnered with Ubisoft who has created this phenomenal video game that continues to draw dancers from across the globe and for 3 exclusive weekends… we’ll have it right here for our guests to enjoy!

Just Dance 3 Preview Weekends will be held at our resort on July 30, August 6 and August 13. Festivities kick off on National Dance Day with group ‘Just Dance-offs’ led by professional gamers and emcees, followed by individual competitions for fearless fans with fancy footwork.

See the video of our first weekend of dancers here!

Prizes and giveaways, compliments of Just Dance 3 creator Ubisoft, will be offered to keep the parties going all evening. To celebrate the exciting partnership, Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek will also offer exclusive amenities and deals throughout the hotel for those hoping to do more than dance, including “Just Golf” and “Just Spa” promotions at the Golf Club and Guerlain spa located in the adjoining Waldorf Astoria Orlando.

We’re also featuring our Orlando Barbeque Weekends, August 6 and 13

“We are thrilled to partner with Ubisoft for three incredible, exclusive Just Dance 3 preview weekends,” said Tracy Walker, general manager, Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek. “The game is truly a pop culture phenomenon, and we cannot wait to share the excitement with our Just Dance fans!”

Guests visiting the hotel during Just Dance 3 Preview Weekends will have the opportunity to learn tips and tricks from the emcees and compete for a chance to win prizes, including copies of Just Dance, Just Dance® Kids, Just Dance® 2 and the recently released Just Dance® Summer Party.

Additionally, Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek is offering their guests a SummerBlast bonus! Where we are offering  a FREE one-day, one-park Walt Disney World theme park ticket for every two nights booked. Now this is something to dance about!

See http://www.hiltonbonnetcreek.com/summer for complete details.

To make a reservation, please visit http://www.hiltonbonnetcreek.com and book your rooms today!

Start your day off with Sunrise Yoga at Waldorf Astoria Orlando!

Our new Sunrise Yoga program provides Waldorf Astoria and Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek guests with an opportunity to mediate and enjoy the tranquil settings of our resort and nature preserve.

Think of it as the perfect respite from the hustle and bustle of theme parks, airports or day-long meetings!

New to yoga?  Don’t worry! All skill levels (and ages) are welcome to enjoy our yoga program! Participants can relax and allow their instructor to guide them on a journey to find inner peace, spiritual insight and tranquility… all in about an hour!

Classes are available on our Signature Island every Saturday and Sunday from 8am – 9am. The island is located on the back promenade between Waldorf Astoria and Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek. The class is just $15 a person and includes yoga mats. To make a reservation for sunrise yoga, please visit the concierge desk at Waldorf Astoria Orlando or Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, or make the reservations by phone at (407) 597-5500.

For more information on recreation activities at Waldorf Astoria Orlando, please visit our activities page.

The team at Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek continues to celebrate runners and their families. For this year’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend, we have added some special elements to our guest experience, fit just for royalty!

Every princess deserves some pampering, right? Disney Princess Half Marathon participants who take advantage of our MARATHON FIT package will receive a fitness welcome amenity, 20 percent discount off any spa treatment at the luxe Waldorf Astoria Spa by Guerlain, one complimentary pasta dinner at Harvest Bistro the night before the race (with proof of race registration), complimentary breakfast snacks the morning of the race and transportation to the race.

To book your room, visit our Princess Half Marathon Package page on our website.

Our goal is to celebrate our guests who are runners, and to take care of you better than any other hotel! Take a look at some of our guests and employees getting ready for the race during the recent Disney Marathon Weekend!