Monica Mineo, Author at Orlando Informer https://orlandoinformer.com/author/monica-mineo/ #1 Universal Orlando vacation planning website Sat, 07 Feb 2026 23:08:49 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.1 https://orlandoinformer.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cropped-android-chrome-512x512-1-32x32.png Monica Mineo, Author at Orlando Informer https://orlandoinformer.com/author/monica-mineo/ 32 32 Cursed Coconut Club 2026 at Universal CityWalk: FIRST LOOK https://orlandoinformer.com/blog/cursed-coconut-club-2026-universal-citywalk/ Sat, 07 Feb 2026 23:05:03 +0000 https://orlandoinformer.com/?p=163008 Red Coconut Club at Universal CityWalk has become a go-to stop for seasonal fun, transforming into a themed destination for events throughout the year, from ... Read more

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Red Coconut Club at Universal CityWalk has become a go-to stop for seasonal fun, transforming into a themed destination for events throughout the year, from Halloween Horror Nights to the holidays. For Universal Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval the venue takes on its bold, festive alter ego as Cursed Coconut Club.

Running from February 7 to April 4, 2026, Cursed Coconut Club will be open Wednesdays through Sundays, starting at 5 PM. Closing times vary, with the venue open until 12 AM on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, and 1 AM on Fridays and Saturdays. Guests can expect themed cocktails, lively entertainment, and a one-of-a-kind Mardi Gras atmosphere.

Cursed Coconut Club at Universal CityWalk
Cursed Coconut Club at Universal CityWalk

A Look Inside Cursed Coconut Club

Step into Cursed Coconut Club, where Mardi Gras gets a little eerie. Think of bayou-meets-haunted-hideaway vibe, complete with graveyard decor, creeping greenery, live music, and a swampy, supernatural atmosphere that makes every corner feel photo-worthy.

Cursed Coconut Club at Universal CityWalk
The Cursed Coconut Club at Universal CityWalk

Make your way upstairs and the mood flips into a laid-back, neon-lit Louisiana dive bar where everyone knows it’s always 5 o’clock somewhere. With shuffleboard and other fun games, plus signs like “Take a Load Off” everywhere you turn, the second floor feels like the kind of place you’d stop in for one drink… and end up staying way longer than planned.

Cursed Coconut Club at Universal CityWalk
Cursed Coconut Club at Universal CityWalk
Cursed Coconut Club at Universal CityWalk

Will you dare to enter Cursed Coconut Club? Just don’t be surprised if the bayou pulls you in downstairs… and Louis’ Last Call keeps you upstairs.

Cursed Coconut Club Menu

What spirits await at Cursed Coconut Club? With unique menus upstairs and downstairs, there’s plenty of options to sip on. Here’s what’s on these limited-time menus:

Downstairs Menu (Left Side)

Cocktails

Lafayette No. 1
Rhum Clement Agricole rum, Cruzan Dark rum, Brovo Falernum, St. Elizabeth allspice dram, lime juice, orange juice, and honey syrup
Souvenir Cup – $16.00
Refill – $13.00
16 oz. Single Serve – $14.00

Pimm’s No. 504
Pimm’s No. 1, New Amsterdam gin, and Sprite
Souvenir Cup – $16.00
Refill – $13.00
16 oz. Single Serve – $14.00

Salon 75
New Amsterdam gin, lemon juice, strawberry syrup, and Cupcake Prosecco
9 oz. Single Serve – $16.00

Eighth Ward
Misguided Spirits whiskey, lemon juice, orange juice, and grenadine
12 oz. Single Serve – $18.00

Mocktails

Pimm’s No. 504 (Mocktail) – $9.00
Cucumbers and mint with Seagram’s Ginger Ale and Sprite

Draft Beer

Parish Brewing Ghost in the Machine
Souvenir Cup – $16.25
Refill – $13.25
16 oz. Single Serve – $14.25

Keel Farms King Cake Cider
Souvenir Cup – $15.00
Refill – $12.00
16 oz. Single Serve – $13.00

Abita Amber
Souvenir Cup – $15.00
Refill – $12.00
16 oz. Single Serve – $13.00

Blue Moon
Souvenir Cup – $15.00
Refill – $12.00
16 oz. Single Serve – $13.00

Abita Purple Haze
Souvenir Cup – $14.00
Refill – $11.00
16 oz. Single Serve – $12.00

Michelob Ultra
Souvenir Cup – $14.00
Refill – $11.00
16 oz. Single Serve – $12.00

Canned Beverages

Miller Lite – $10.75

Abita Andygator – $10.75

Modelo – $11.75

NÜTRL – $13.00

Athletic Brewing Co Upside Dawn Golden NA – $10.75

High Noon – $13.00

Monster Voodoo Grape – $5.75

Downstairs Menu (Right Side)

Cocktails

Rougar-ita
Firefly White Lightnin’ moonshine, DeKuyper blue curaçao, lime juice, and agave
Souvenir Cup – $16.00
Refill – $13.00
16 oz. Single Serve – $14.00

Honey Island Punch
Cruzan Light rum, Cruzan Dark rum, lime juice, agave, pineapple juice, orange juice, and grenadine
Souvenir Cup – $16.00
Refill – $13.00
16 oz. Single Serve – $14.00

Letiche Lemonade
Firefly Peach moonshine, iced tea, and lemonade
Souvenir Cup – $16.00
Refill – $13.00
16 oz. Single Serve – $14.00

Mocktails

Letiche Lemonade (Mocktail) – $9.00
Iced tea, lemonade, and peach syrup

Draft Beer

Parish Brewing Ghost in the Machine
Souvenir Cup – $16.25
Refill – $13.25
16 oz. Single Serve – $14.25

Keel Farms King Cake Cider
Souvenir Cup – $15.00
Refill – $12.00
16 oz. Single Serve – $13.00

Abita Amber
Souvenir Cup – $15.00
Refill – $12.00
16 oz. Single Serve – $13.00

Blue Moon
Souvenir Cup – $15.00
Refill – $12.00
16 oz. Single Serve – $13.00

Abita Purple Haze
Souvenir Cup – $14.00
Refill – $11.00
16 oz. Single Serve – $12.00

Michelob Ultra
Souvenir Cup – $14.00
Refill – $11.00
16 oz. Single Serve – $12.00

Canned Beverages

Miller Lite – $10.75

Abita Andygator – $10.75

Modelo – $11.75

NÜTRL – $13.00

Athletic Brewing Co Upside Dawn Golden NA – $10.75

High Noon – $13.00

Monster Voodoo Grape – $5.75

Upstairs Menu

Cocktails

Tropical Detonator
Monymusk overproof rum, Three Olives vodka, New Amsterdam gin, Midori, and pineapple juice
Souvenir Cup – $16.00
Refill – $13.00
16 oz. Single Serve – $14.00

Who Dat?
Old Forester bourbon, lime juice, orange juice, Angostura bitters, and Coca-Cola
Souvenir Cup – $16.00
Refill – $13.00
16 oz. Single Serve – $14.00

The Dirty Bird
360 Vodka Madagascar Vanilla, 360 Vodka Bing Cherry, 360 Vodka Sorrento, lemon juice, lime juice, dragonfruit syrup, and Sprite
Souvenir Cup – $16.00
Refill – $13.00
16 oz. Single Serve – $14.00

Shot & a Beer – $20.00
Choice of liquor shot (1.25 oz) with a canned Miller Lite
Cuervo Tradicional blanco tequila, Fireball, Jameson Irish whiskey, or Fernet-Branca

Mocktails

Sunset on the Fly – $9.00
Orange juice, pineapple juice, lemon juice, and grenadine

Canned Beverages

Miller Lite – $10.75

Abita Andygator – $10.75

Modelo – $11.75

NÜTRL – $13.00

Athletic Brewing Co Upside Dawn Golden NA – $10.75

High Noon – $13.00

Monster Voodoo Grape – $5.75

Universal Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval takes place from February 7 to April 4, 2026. Let the good times roll by saving on Universal Orlando Resort admission through Orlando Informer here!

More Photos of Cursed Coconut Club 2026 at Universal CityWalk


Find your Krewe and discuss it all with 170,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTokThreads,  FacebookTwitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

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Disneyland Handcrafted: Inside Disneyland’s Early Days https://orlandoinformer.com/blog/disneyland-handcrafted/ Wed, 14 Jan 2026 04:00:07 +0000 https://orlandoinformer.com/?p=162851 Disneyland is known around the world as the Happiest Place on Earth and has welcomed over 900 million guests since opening. But in the new ... Read more

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Disneyland is known around the world as the Happiest Place on Earth and has welcomed over 900 million guests since opening. But in the new documentary Disneyland Handcrafted, audiences get a rare look back at the park’s earliest days through never-before-seen footage and stories that reveal just how much it took to bring Walt’s dream to life — and how close it came to not happening at all.

We were invited to an advanced media screening of Disneyland Handcrafted hosted by Disney, and we can assure you this film is a must-watch, whether you’re a Disney nerd like us, or just someone who loves a good story about creativity, persistence, and the courage to bring a dream to life.

The screening also included a special Q&A with the film’s director and Academy Award–nominated filmmaker Leslie Iwerks, who shared insight into the documentary and her personal connection to the story. Iwerks comes from a family deeply connected to Disney history, as the daughter of Don Iwerks and the granddaughter of Ub Iwerks —  two film pioneers, Disney Legends, and Oscar winners. Ub was also the co-creator of Mickey Mouse, his legacy felt across the Disney brand. Truly, we couldn’t think of anyone better to honor the story behind it all.

This film brought tears to our eyes, and here’s why.

Thank you to Disney for hosting us at AMC® Disney Springs 24 Dine-In Theatres for a complimentary early look at the film.

Disneyland sign being handcrafted by employees

Disneyland sign in progress

Disney employee painting the Sleeping Beauty Castle

Sleeping Beauty Castle during it’s construction

Walt Disney giving a speech, as seen in the new film, Disneyland Handcrafted

Walt Disney giving a speech, as seen in the new film, Disneyland Handcrafted

Built in Only a Year

Yes, you read that right! Disneyland was built in just a single year, and in this film you’ll get a firsthand look at the trials and tribulations behind the park’s rapid construction leading up to opening day in July 1955.

At the time, Disneyland was unlike anything that existed before. This was not just an amusement park. It was a theme park, one designed to bring stories to life, fuel emotion, and build memories. Walt Disney was attempting something entirely new, all while racing against the clock.

The heart of this film is the deeply human and articulate touch that went into building Disneyland despite the budget and timeline. From the statues and murals to the facades and even the pavement beneath your feet, the level of artistry poured into the park is endless. It was a level of detail that was unprecedented and according to many – much too financially risky, yet it was Walt’s dream and one he insisted on bringing to life, putting his livelihood on the line.

It was not easy. The project fell behind schedule, costs were rising, nearly everyone had their doubts, and the pressure only intensified as opening day got closer. Despite it all, watching Walt move through the process is especially striking, as even in the middle of the chaos, he remained calm and collected.

“This was probably the most dangerous decision Walt Disney ever made,” Iwerks shared during the post-film Q&A. Disneyland had the odds stacked against it, over budget, with less than 10% of its building plans complete, and tasked with transforming a lot of dirt into the Happiest Place on Earth in just a single year. But through one man’s vision and the tireless efforts of craftsmen, artists, and builders, a dream became a reality.

And 70 years later, it’s clear that every bit of it was worth it.

Footage featured in Disneyland Handcrafted

Rare footage featured in Disneyland Handcrafted

Rare footage featured in Disneyland Handcrafted

Disneyland before its opening

Never Before Seen Footage

One of the most compelling parts of Disneyland Handcrafted is the footage itself.

Iwerks dug through nearly 50 hours of raw archival material capturing Disneyland in its earliest days, uncovering authentic outtakes that had been tucked away in the Walt Disney Film Archives for years. This includes footage of the park being built from the ground up, along with rare glimpses of the artists, craftsmen, and Walt Disney Imagineers working on-site in Anaheim alongside Walt in 1955.

Iwerks and her dedicated team worked to restore this rare material, producing high-resolution clips of once-forgotten moments from Disneyland’s earliest days. One of the most striking facts is that much of the original footage was completely silent. Skywalker Sound recreated authentic sound designs from scratch, making the moments on screen feel immersive, alive, and as if you were right there on-site as it all happened.

Leslie Iwerks with her father, Don Iwerks

Leslie Iwerks with her father, Don Iwerks

The Iwerks Family Legacy

After viewing the film, we also got the chance to hear from the director, Academy Award–nominated filmmaker Leslie Iwerks, during a special Q&A.

You may recognize Iwerks from her work on projects like The Pixar Story, The Imagineering Story, and 100 Years of Warner Bros., among many others.

Iwerks reflected on her family’s legacy and the emotional impact that telling this story had on her. She shared that although her grandfather passed away when she was just a year old, she’s always felt connected to him. Through both her own work at Disney and her father’s career there, she says his presence has stayed with her as she grew up — and especially now, as she walks the streets of Disneyland.

“When I come to Disney and work with everybody, it’s in my blood and DNA, and it feels like a family. I’m just so honored. I’m thrilled to be the one to continue telling and finding these stories that you all love to see.”

When and Where Can I Watch Disneyland Handcrafted?

You can watch Disneyland Handcrafted beginning January 22, 2026, on Disney+ and Disney YouTube!

Whether you love Disney history, theme park storytelling, or simply a great origin story, this is one film worth adding to your watchlist!

Disneyland Handcrafted will debut on January 22, 2026

Disneyland Handcrafted will debut on January 22, 2026


What are you most excited about for this incredible behind-the-scenes story of Disneyland’s earliest days? Discuss it all with other Disney die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. Be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

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