Monthly Archives: April 2014

Disney’s Epcot – The Germany Pavilion

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Germany Pavilion in Epcot 1It may be because I’m half-German or maybe because of its perfect location between China and Italy…just far enough from the beginning of the World Showcase (starting with Mexico) to have worked up a powerful thirst for a good German beer!  Maybe it’s the smells and tastes of the delicious treats inside Karamelle-Kuche – arguably the best sweets shop in Epcot.  Whatever the reasons, I love the Germany Pavilion!  Every detail about this area’s tribute to all things German is just wonderful…er…wunderbar!

Just in case you need them, I’ll give you five great things about Epcot’s Germany Pavilion:

1.  The Food – Delicious options abound!  Want a snack?  Quick service meal?  Full-blown Oktoberfest-style buffet? You can get them all in Epcot’s little slice of Germany.

I’ve mentioned Karamelle-Kuche already – from the makers of Werther’s candies, enter this shop and the aromas alone are amazing.  I recommend a piece of chocolate-covered salted caramel – big enough to share (maybe).

Need a quick meal?  Sommerfest is the place to be.  Enjoy a brat or Frankfurter for a simple lunch.  Feeling brave? Try the Currywurst (bun-less brat with curry ketchup) or the Leberkaese Reuben (German meatloaf in a Reuben sandwich) – not to your liking?  Well, then order the Nudel Gratin – not-your-momma’s mac-n-cheese!  Maybe just a pretzel to go with some beer!

Need a BIG meal? Biergarten will satisfy both the urge to try out a variety of German flavors (it’s a buffet!) and experience some authentic German entertainment at the same time.

2. The Buildings and Courtyard – Right in the center of the action you’ll find a statue of St. George and the Dragon.  Look around!  The architecture is modeled after 400+ year-old German landmarks. Colorful crests and symbols painted on the building’s facades add to the festive atmosphere. The whimsical clock tower where, at the top of each hour, figurines come out to visitors’ delighted surprise.

IMG_28233. The Shops – I love the variety!  Be sure to check out the store with the genuine Black Forest Cuckoo Clocks!  You can also buy many other fantastic German items like beer steins, hats, books, dolls and more.

4. The Beer – The Schofferhofer Grapefruit beer has a near cult following.  Try it out on a sunny, hot afternoon and see why!  Not to your liking? Grab the darkest brew on the menu to go with that Sommerfest pretzel – that’s what I do and..well…it’s perfect and makes me feel both happy and GERMAN!

5. The Scavenger Hunt – Germany is one of the countries you’ll visit on your quest if you choose to participate in Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure.  If you’re visiting right away, you might want to try out the brand new (rumored to be only for the Flower and Garden Festival) Muppets Most Wanted-themed adventure.

Bonus feature:  The miniature village and model train are super cool – located right next to the pavilion. Don’t pass it by.

If you’ve passed by the Germany Pavilion without exploring, I hope you’ll give it a visit next time you’re in the World!  If you’re already a fan, what’s your favorite thing about Epcot’s Germany?

 

 

 

 

 

Captain America The Winter Soldier Review

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Captain America The Winter Soldier 1While I’ve seen all the Marvel movies released by Disney, I’ve been a bit variable about how much I’ve liked each one.  First Thor and third Iron Man – didn’t like those so much.  Second Thor?  I liked that movie a bunch.  I also thought The Avengers was just fantastic.  The previews didn’t give much away about the newest Marvel installment released on April 4th.  Personally, I tried to stay away from reviews and spoilers before I went to see Captain America: The Winter Soldier, so I would be a blank slate, so to speak – with no pre-conceived notions about whether the movie would be good or not.  Raymond, who’d read quite a bit about the movie before we saw it Sunday afternoon, was very careful not to give anything away.

Before I get to the mini-review, let me say that I did like Captain America (the original) very much.  It had an Indiana Jones vibe to it and, honestly, since Raiders of the Lost Ark is one of my most favorite movies of all time (released when I was in high school) the connection gave Captain America an advantage to me.

It’s hard for a sequel to be better than the original, but with Marvel movies, it seems almost common.  Such was the case with The Winter Soldier.  I don’t want to give anything away, so no spoilers here, but this was a great movie!  Saw it in 3D (which we don’t usually choose) because that was the time we wanted – the 3D effects were good.

If you’ve been on the fence, here are a few reasons to see the new Captain America:

  • Robust plot chock full of surprises, twists and turns.Captain America The Winter Soldier 2
  • Plenty of action without sacrificing the flow of the storyline.
  • Excellent villains.
  • Beloved characters from previous Marvel movies remain true to themselves (this is important to my enjoyment of any sequel).
  • Introduction of new characters that work very well in developing the story and join seamlessly with the existing cast – this was a particular plus for The Winter Soldier with me.

There were thrills, laughs, shocks, and edge-of-your-seat excitement – everything you’d hope for in a Marvel movie plus just a little bit more.  I adored Captain America: The Winter Soldier and I think you will too.  As always, stay ’til the very last credit has rolled.

Have you seen Captain America: The Winter Soldier yet?  What did you think?

 

Voices of Disney – Happy Birthday John Ratzenberger

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Disney-Pixar MoviesEvery time I watch a Disney-Pixar movie and I hear John Ratzenberger’s voice, I still think, “Hey!  Cliff Clavin!”.  I was an avid Cheers fan during the show’s 11-season run on TV (1982-1993) and the show just wouldn’t have been the same without Cliff Clavin – the fact-obsessed, lovably-irritating-know-it-all postal worker.  While the character of Cliff Clavin is how I became a huge fan, John Ratzenberger’s distinctive voice has been adding fun to Disney-Pixar movies from the first.

Since today is John Ratzenberger’s birthday (born April 6, 1947), it’s the perfect opportunity to offer a salute to Mr. Ratzenberger’s contribution to some of the very best, most entertaining movies of all time.

Thank you, John Ratzenberger for these memorable characters:

Toy Story – all three movies:  the voice of Hamm the Piggy Bank.  “Pardon me. I hate to break up the staff meeting, but… they’re here! Birthday guests at three o’clock!” – Hamm, Toy Story

A Bug’s Life – P. T. Flea – the harried, stressed out circus leader.  ” [singing] I’m gonna be rich, rich, rich I’m gonna be rich, rich, rich I’m gonna be the richest flea in the land, ka-ching! The streets will be paved with golden retrievers...” – P. T. Flea

Monsters, Inc. – The Abominable Snowman / Yeti.  “Wasteland? I think you mean “Wonderland”! I mean, how about all this fabulous snow, huh? Oh, and wait until you see the local village, cutest thing in the world. I haven’t mentioned all the free yak’s milk.”

Finding Nemo – The School of Moonfish – that school of fish that stops to help Dory with directions and forms shapes in answer to her questions.  “Hey, hey! You like impressions?” – School of fish

The Incredibles – The Underminer (villain that arrives from underground at the very end of the movie).  “Behold, the Underminer! I’m always beneath you, but nothing is beneath me! I hereby declare war on peace and happiness! Soon, all will tremble before me!” – The UnderminerHamm the Pig in Toy Story

Cars (both) – Mack the Truck – Lightning McQueen’s transportation.  “California, here we come!” – Mac

Ratatouille – Mustafa the waiter –  “It was not a customer. It was a critic…  …She likes the soup.” – Mustafa

WALL-E – John – “Hey… I know that guy! It’s uh, uh… WALL-E! That’s it! Hey – WALL-E! It’s your buddy John!”

Up – Tom the construction worker – “Well just to let you know, my boss would be happy to take this old place off your hands, and for double his last offer. Whaddya say to that?” – Construction Foreman Tom

Brave – Gordon the Guard – I’m sorry I have not quote for this character, but a trivia tidbit instead:  Many people had a hard time finding John Ratzenberger in Brave because the character spoke with a Scottish accent!

Happy Birthday, Mr. Ratzenberger – I can’t wait to see what you surprise us with next!

What’s your favorite Disney-Pixar character voiced by John Ratzenberger? 

 

Disney, Flubber, and Pinot Noir

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McMurray Vinyards Pinot NoirYup, you heard me.  I said Disney, Flubber, and Pinot Noir.  What do they have in common?  Do you know?  Hmmm…Let’s see….Disney and Flubber – the connection is easy, right?  The Absent Minded Professor (1961), Son of Flubber (1963), and plain old Flubber (1997) were all Disney movies, right?  Professor Brainard and his wacky invention (Flubber) were central to the theme of all three pictures.

So, where does the wine come it?  Well…The star of both The Absent Minded Professor and Son of Flubber, the man who played Professor Brainard, was none other than Fred MacMurray.  If you look at the label on our selection of wine for this evening, you’ll notice it says “MacMurray Ranch”.  And, YES, the Ranch once belonged to THE Fred MacMurray.  Tah-Dah!  It all falls into place!!!

Fred MacMurray – Born Frederick Martin MacMurray (1908-1991)- began his acting career in 1929.  He starred in many movies including Double Indemnity (1944), The Caine Mutiny (1954), and The Apartment (1960).  He’s well remembered for playing the character Steve Douglas in My Three Sons on TV from 1960 to 1972 (I LOVED that show!).   Fred MacMurray purchased the MacMurray Ranch (then known as The Porter Family Ranch) in 1941 and, while enjoying his acting career, managed to make the Ranch a home and working farm.  He was particularly interested in raising (from the MacMurray Ranch website) “Milking Shorthorns, Romeldale Sheep, Rhode Island laying hens, orchards & vegetable gardens.  Fred spent nineteen years breeding & improving the great Angus breed beginning with the imported bull, Pyros of Islip, from Scotland.”

A wonderful history of the MacMurray Ranch can be found here.

MacMurray Pinot NoirFrom the MacMurray Ranch website:

“The Ranch

An Enchanted Place

Nestled in the Middle Reach of Sonoma’s Russian River Valley, our ranch has been a farmstead since the 1850s, when Col. George Porter built a home here for his family beside a small stream – now called Porter Creek – that flows into the nearby Russian River. Generations of Porters farmed livestock and crops on the rich silt soils of the valley floor until Hollywood legend Fred MacMurray bought the ranch in 1941. Fred embraced the rancher’s lifestyle, raising prize-winning cattle, while his children rode horses through the hills.

Wine grapes were first planted here in the mid-1990s. Today, 450 acres of Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris vines flourish where cattle once roamed. The original buildings have been faithfully restored, and the 1,500-acre property is now home to old-growth oaks, redwood trees, birds and indigenous wildlife. And, of course, our collection of world-class wines.”MacMurray Wine

Well, there you have it.  Disney, Flubber, and Pinot Noir, all tied up with a neat bow.  I’m going to go enjoy a glass of that wine now and you can tell me if you guessed right off what the connection was from the clues in the title of this post.