Monthly Archives: June 2014

Disney’s 1900 Park Fare is Tons of Fun

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Doorway to 1900 Park FareI have come to realize that we will, most likely, never outgrow our love of character meals at Walt Disney World.  Sure, our kids are now 18 and 23, but we still get a kick out of meeting and interacting with Disney characters.  Combine that with food and hey – even more to love!  C’mon, we can’t be the only ones!  Some of you can totally sympathize with this, I bet.

For many years, the Fab Five were our dining companions of choice and no trip to Walt Disney World would be complete without a visit to Chef Mickey’s at the Contemporary Resort.  There’s just something so perfectly, Disney Character Autographs at Chef Mickey'sclassically Disney about seeing Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto.  We used to always go for dinner, then we switched to breakfast, then, well, I started thinking about just how many pictures and memories we’d accumulated at Chef Mickey’s….  So, when planning this year’s family vacation, I thought it would be super fun to try something new!  We could still have a character meal, but why not make it with a different crowd of Disney celebs at the Grand Floridian’s 1900 Park Fare?   Well, as usual, I was right!

1900 Park Fare

It’s a buffet (like Chef Mickey’s), but the setting is a bit different and where the Fab Five are silent while they happily pose for pictures and sign autographs, the characters at 1900 Park Fare are all face characters, meaning…they talk!  Cinderella and Prince Charming are there to the delight of children of all ages – but the really FUN characters, especially for big kids (and kids at heart) are Lady Tremaine, Drizella, and Anistasia (the Step Sisters).

Not to diminish Cindy or Charming in any way – they are certainly lovely to look at and as gracious and regal as one would hope and expect.  They make their way from table to table like the seasoned royals they are – greeting guests, making polite cPrince Charming! 1900 Park Fareonversation, paying compliments, posing for pictures, and signing what must amount to hundreds (if not thousands) of autographs as their adoring fans enjoy dinner (and the company of this very kind couple).

That’s not why we ate there.  We specifically went to 1900 Park Fare, upon my recommendation, to see Lady Tremaine and the Steps.  We’d met them before and we knew they’d be wildly entertaining.  Getting the opportunity to mingle with them while we enjoyed dinner was just too good an opportunity to pass up!  The are simply amazing.  Lady TremaineDSCN2998 is constantly a tad stressed and looking for chocolate to soothe her nerves.  And it’s no wonder!  Her “darling” daughters are enough to put any mamma on edge.

Prince Charming visited our table first.  He was, true to his name, charming.  He was polite, an expert at small talk, and very willing to sign the items we’d set out for autographs (more on that another day).  Once he left, we had plenty of time to make our first visit to the buffet.  A HUGE variety of flavors are featured there – representative of all the “kingdoms” around the world.  Just FYI:  The pot stickers and sushi were actually really good!  But, for the Cinderella at 1900 Park Fareless adventurous, there was a good variety of dishes meant to appeal to the tastes of every guest.

Cinderella stopped by our table next.  Smiling, pretty, friendly and kind – just what you’d expect!  She was also very willing to autograph any and everything we had placed at the end of our table (with several pens to choose from).  Cinderella was so nice…I actually felt sorry for her knowing she’d be overshadowed by what we considered the evening’s main event!

Lady Tremaine was all we’d expected her to be.  Short on patience (with commoners), with DSCN3011dead pan humor – she played the adoring and indulgent parent to the hilt!  She was very pleased with our Joseph as a potential match for one of her beloved daughters.  She was funny and slightly intimidating – just as she is in Cinderella!  We thought she was GREAT!  But the best was yet to come.

Drizella was the first sister to arrive at our table.  Enamored of the gold paint pen we’d set out with our autograph items, she wanted to know if it was “real” gold.  We said YES!  At once she asked if Joseph was a prince, where he was from, and how many castles he had.  It seems those questions were answered to her Drizella at 1900 Park Faresatisfaction – she next hinted at their exceptional compatibility.  Joseph offered her a blue gummy bear as a token of his affection and the deal was done – she shouted for her mother, informed Lady Tremaine of the impending nuptials, then proceeded to jump up and down!

At this point, Anastasia, tired of photo-bombing the pictures recording our table’s excitement, made her way over to introduce herself to her impending in-laws and offer advice.  Joseph should begin ring shopping at once – using his nostrils to determine a ring’s suitability.  “If a diamond can fit up your nose, it’s too small!”  Embracing Megan as her future sister, Anastasia posed for pictures, signed autographs, and gave us pointers on how to look skinnier in photos.DSCN3022

Charming in their own way, the Tremaine women were also hilarious and the stars of the show at 1900 Park Fare!  The character of these characters is indescribably fabulous!  You just have to experience it to believe how great it is.  Even more impressive?  When Megan and Joseph ran into Lady Tremaine and the Steps  in the Magic Kingdom the next day, Drizella immediately demanded of Joseph, “WHERE is my RING!?!”

Have you ever experience a character meal at 1900 Park Fare?  What did you think about it?

Walt Disney World – Trying New Things

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Walt Disney World ChurroOne of the best parts of visiting Walt Disney World is that there are always new things to try.  No matter how often we visit, there seems to be at least a few opportunities for new experiences.  Our recent trip was no exception.  The key is to be able to pass up some tried and true favorites in favor of the unknown – Risky?  Perhaps a little.  Exciting?  Pretty much.  Worth it?  Absolutely!

As most of you know, I’m a huge fan of Disney blogs, podcasts and Twitter-peeps!  If you want to know what’s going on at Walt Disney World, just follow a few of these folks – they have the scoop on what not-to-be-missed adventures await and which Disney treats are the most delicious.  Since it had been a full two years since our last WDW vacation – my list of new-and-exciting + not-new-but-never-tried items for last week was pretty ambitious!  I am happy to report, the Dole Whip disappointment notwithstanding, nearly everything new to me was GREAT to me!

Let’s start with food, shall we?

I’m not much of a snacker and there are tons of Disney snacks and treats our family has yet to try.  Creatures of habbit, we tend to stick with something we love as opposed to trying something new – which is weird considering how much we LOVE food adventures…aside from Disney park snacks, I guess.  We always choose either the classic Premium Mickey Ice Cream Bar or the Ice Cream Sandwich.  During last week’s park-hopping madness, we managed to break out of our snack rut (although, I’m not going to lie – ice cream bars and sandwiches were still IMG_3812consumed, just in lower quantities) and try out some of the treats other Disney fans are always praising.

Pretzels – We tried the classic Mickey and the Jalapeno Cheese pretzels (can both be purchased several places) and both were met with enthusiastic, unanimous YUMmmmms of approval!

Cronut – The Croissant Donut from the Refreshment Port in Epcot was a warm, fluffy-on-the-inside, crusty-on-the-outside, cinnamon-sugar dusted bite of heaven!  Caution:  Don’t try to share one among four people – the situation gets ugly fast.

Red Velvet Cupcake – I love the Starring Rolls Café in Disney’s Hollywood Studios!  I’ve tried the Red Velvet Cupcake at Walt Disney Worldeverything bagels and the Butterfinger cupcakes in the past and both were delish.  This time around, while buying late breakfast items (“Second Breakfast”) – Megan spotted the red velvet cupcakes (with cream cheese icing and crunchy topping) in that glass case by the check-out…you know the one…where the Darth Vader and Yoda cupcakes are during Star Wars Weekends!  Meg and I decided, “What the heck – we’re on vacation” – we bought the cupcake and had dessert with breakfast!  It was to die for.  Just PERFECT!

Roasted Pork Shank – Forget the Turkey Legs – I’ll never go back!  Gaston’s Tavern IMG_3774in Fantasyland serves up a giant, hot, meaty, smoky – did I mention giant? – shank o’ the pig that is indescribably delicious.  Seriously.  Do NOT pass up the opportunity to try one – if you like Disney’s turkey legs, you will LOVE these delectable delicacies.  Normally, I let thoughts of calories and fat grams mar my enjoyment of these types of foods – not this time, baby!  Picked the bone clean in record time with reckless abandon…worth every extra mile I’ll be running to make up for it.  OINK!

Churro – They look strange and uninteresting to me, but they sure are popular among Disney snack enthusiasts!  So last week I snagged one at the churro cart in Frontierland.  Easy to carry and eat on the fly (while heading to Main Street USA to meet up with the kids) – it was simple, yet sweet and cinnamon-y.  Like comfort food.  It’s no Cronut, but I’d eat one again sometime.

Epcot's EmpanadasEmpanadas de Queso – My friend Heather sings the praises of these cheesy little half-moons of tastiness – Heather also steered me to the roasted pork shank.  Heather knows her Disney snacks.  Over at La Cantina de San Angel (outside Epcot’s Mexico Pavilion), you can purchase these warm and tasty tidbits (they come with a side of  tortilla chips) – wash them down with a mango margarita and you’ve got an awesome lunch!

Shofferhoffer Grapefruit Beer – When I heard the guys on one of my favorite podcasts discuss the virtues of this beer (which may be purchased in the Germany Pavilion in Epcot), I was a little weirded out by the concept.  I like beer.  Raised in St. Louis – the home of Anheuser Busch Brewing Company – I know beer!  I prefer dark beer best, but was intrigued enough by the grapefruit beer concept to give it a whirl – talked Megan into it, too.  We loved it!  Low alcohol IMG_7113content combined with the sweetness of pink grapefruit juice made it less a beer than a completely refreshing beverage for a hot, sunny Florida afternoon.  Four thumbs up for the Shofferhoffer!

Now on to rides and attractions…

Of course I have to mention the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train – which deserves an entire post all on its own and I will pay it homage one day soon. Today let me just say that I’m NOT sorry Snow White’s Scary Adventure left – this new tribute to Snow and her merry band of little men is charming, clever, and suitable for everyone at least 38″ tall.  I loved the indoor/outdoor combination of beautiful landscaping and state of the art animatronics and some pretty clever special effects.  The ride in the carts is incredibly smooth – just lovely, but I must warn you – the lap bar doesn’t “click” into place as you lower it in front of you – which makes it super easy to lower it too far – you end up squeezed so tight the ride actually hurts!  Lower the bar really slowly and stop moving it when you like where it is.  Stop.

Walt Disney: One Man's DreamThe next attraction on this list is not new at all and I’m ashamed to admit…We had never taken the time to fully explore Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream at the Studios.  Shame on us!!!  First the walk-through – this features a staggering variety of actual artifacts, memorabilia (and some reproductions) from Walt Disney’s life – along with stories and information about the creation of beloved Disney characters.  It’s cool, quiet and packed with fascinating objects and discoveries.  Then there’s a 15-minute film that was SO fascinating – it not only revealed details about Walt Disney we didn’t know, but we got to hear Walt’s voice and see him as the happy, innovative, dream-chasing visionary –that was still a pretty ordinary guy.  If you love Walt Disney – do NOT pass this by.

I have to mention Primeval Whirl.  Normally we just go over to the Dinoland USA area to ride Primeval Whirl VehiclesDinosaur and then go right back to the parts of the Animal Kingdom park we understand.  I like looking at the animals (and taking a crazy number of pictures of them).  I have never taken time to explore or appreciate all the gaudy but fascinating aspects of Chester and Hester’s little roadside oddities.  I think I was a little offended by the garishly in-your-face, utter tackiness of the small-town carnival rides and midway games.  I can admit when I’m wrong…okay, rarely and with reluctance, but I have to do it now.  I was wrong to have ignored Dinoland in the past.  It’s sort of adorable in its own way and Primeval Whirl is actually a fun ride.  Fun enough to ride three times.  And make a video of.  And take a bunch of pictures of.  I was wrong.  If I can find the charm, I’m betting you can too.

I know a BUNCH of you have tried new things on your last Disney vacation!  Tell me about them!

 

 

 

Disney’s Maleficent – Mostly Spoiler-free Review

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Maleficent Movie PosterIt’s a fairytale, people!  Please keep that in mind when/if you see this movie.  I avoided reviews and comments about Maleficent prior to seeing it (promptly upon my return from Walt Disney World).  Then, afterwards, I let myself check out the widely varying opinions of others – and there are gobs of them that range from “loved it” to “it was complete trash” (or worse).

I’m not hard to please.  I like my fairytale movies to have plausible (yet completely impossible) elements – based on whichever reality in which the story takes place, characters with lots of flaws, valuable life lessons, good versus evil (and the blurry spaces in between) – all tied up with a nice neat happy ending.  If you fall in a similar entertainment-viewing category, you will like Maleficent just fine.  Oddly enough, the entire story reminded me of a gigantic episode of ABC’s Once Upon a Time – which was a plus since I’m just wild about that show!

I saw it in 3D and contrary to some other viewers’ opinions (really raging, angry opinions, to boot), I was not at all bothered by any of the CGI effects.  Quite the opposite, in fact.  I didn’t scrutinize them at all, but rather accepted the CGI characters and scenery in the spirit in which Maleficent Theater Posterthey were generated – to create a wonderful fantasy land in which our characters could carry on their story.

The casting was just fine overall.  Angelina Jolie was stunningly beautiful as Maleficent – breathtaking!  She owned that role completely from her gorgeous red lips to her perfect tone of voice – delivering each line precisely with the perfect amount of emotion – I could have closed my eyes and imagined exactly how she was feeling at any given time, but to look away from that face during the movie would have been impossible.  Maleficent-the-being grabs you from the first and pulls you in completely – to understand her, to know her, to love her.  Elle Fanning as Aurora was well done and I completely disagree with ridiculous reviewers who didn’t think her beautiful enough – she was.  Inside and out…the character was supposed to be a beautiful soul as opposed to simply a visual stunner.  Elle Fanning captured that perfectly.Maleficent Ticket

There were a bunch of reviews that groused about the plot – perhaps they searched too hard for pro-feminist politics or a deeper meaning for “true love’s kiss”.  I liked the story – I “got” the plot and felt it was neither too deep nor too shallow.  I found (this is me and my opinion) the movie to be visually stunning and thought provoking to just the right extent.

If you are looking for a deeply moving social commentary on women’s roles or unresolved childhood issues – please pass on Maleficent.  If you’re looking for a stunningly presented fairytale with all the right elements, interesting characters, and the perfect ending – dish out the $$ and see Maleficent on the big screen – in 3D if you can.

Have you seen Maleficent?  What’s your impression of the movie?

 

In Search Of…at Walt Disney World!

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THE Disney EarHat for ME!I know I’ve got a big bunch of resort and restaurant reviews to talk about, not to mention parades, motorcades, rides, and attractions to dish on.  But first, some trip report disclosure:  Let’s face it – I’m just not the day-by-day trip report kind of person.  Sure, if I’ve been on a cruise I can replay it for you port by port, at-sea day, etc.  But for Walt Disney World – we did SO much of everything – park-hopping, FastPass-ing, snacking, exploring the amazing Disney details and even experiencing a tremendous variety of fun things – some  for the very first time!  It just doesn’t feel right to me to boil it all down into a daily replay this time.  But…in an attempt to get things started, I’m going to talk about what I was searching for on this Disney vacation…and it wasn’t the meaning of life.

I was, you may recall from previous posts here and on Facebook, searching for some very specific items this trip.  Namely a certain Disney pin, the perfect Earhat, and some specific Disney flavors.  I was also absolutely dying to ride the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train – seriously, I told Raymond that after waiting more than two years for the experience, I was nearly apoplectic (and I’m not even sure exactly what that entails).  The rest of this post details my successes (and two minor failures, in the grand scheme) – so if you’re not up for it…click away now and thanks for stopping by.

In Search Of….

Orange Bird Orange Bird Disney Pins

I’m no hard-core Disney pin trader.  I enjoy it as a recreational sport versus a battle to the death/concerned with each and every detail.  I’m extremely uninterested in any pin’s particular value or official “collectability” – I just wanna have FUN!  In 2012 (the last time I was at Walt Disney World before last week), I fell in love with the reintroduction of Orange Bird (I’m old enough to remember Orange Bird from his original debut as the Florida citrus mascot in the ’70’s – he and Anita Bryant were a great team!).  So, back to 2012 – we were in Walt Disney World in May and I’d read about (or heard about) a collection of Orange Bird Cast Member pins.  Because I like a challenge and find pin trading SO much fun, I decided to see if I could collect then entire group of Orange Bird pins.  Five in all – so not a huge investment for pins to trade away for the Birds and they are ever so CUTE!  Megan and Joseph had each brought a friend on that trip and all six of us were enthusiastically in pursuit of those Orange Birds.  By the end of our vacation, I’d managed to acquire 4 out of 5 with a bonus chaser pin of the missing flying Orange Bird – how could I not make completing this set a priority for last week’s trip?

It was Raymond who found my pin.  Raymond has been married to me for 24 years and 8 Disney Pin Trading - Cast Member Lanyardmonths and has always been my biggest fan – he has, with amazing steadfast resolve, supported all my endeavors through the years (even the hair-brained schemes) – Orange Bird collecting being no exception.  It was early in the week – Monday or Tuesday – we were at Animal Kingdom in the building where the small animal displays are housed – the one with the Naked (say nekkid, it’s okay) Mole Rats live.  On a Cast Member lanyard – her name was Denise and she was standing next to the turtle tanks.  Raymond, calmly and in the low voice he uses when speaking to me in crowded spaces, says, “Is that your Orange Bird?”  Oh, JOY!!!!  I reached into my much-used Disney-trip-only backpack and pulled out a pin to trade with Denise.  She wasn’t quite as ecstatic about the exchange as I was, but YAY!  My Orange Bird pin collection is now complete!  (Thanks, Honey and Denise, too!)

The Perfect Earhat

I have probably 6 or more Disney caps I love to wear – and numerous plain visors I make into Disney Earhat - SullyDisney accessories by adding pins and buttons when on a Disney vacation.  It was way past time for me to actually purchase my own Earhat.  I’ve probably tried on 50 over the years – and several even got carried around with me in a store for a while, almost making it to the check-out-counter, before being carefully placed back on their display shelves.  I wanted a hat that made me feel like a Mouseketeer, a super Disney fan, a QUEEN!  This trip, I was committed to finding and purchasing such headwear.

I tried on several models – Maleficent, Ariel, a black hat with pink skulls, even a Monster’s Inc. Sully hat – some were magically beautiful, but just not ME.  Then I spotted a unique chapeau unlike any of the others.  Special, not too “cute”, regal (yet NOT goodie-two-shoes) – the Evil Queen hat – THIS was the one for me!!!  No, I did not hear a choir of angels sing when I placed it on my head – but an evil chuckle off in the distance….    SOLD!

Dole Whip

Yes, yes – I confessed back on the New Year’s Resolution list (see #9) that I’d never eaten a Pineapple Dole Whip - Disney SnacksDole Whip – Don’t judge me.  Finally, last week, the time had come.  I waited in the ridiculously long, mostly devoid of shade line at Aloha Isle in Magic Kingdom – sweating, but thinking, hey – the famous Dole Whip will not only cool me off, but will be delicious and refreshing, too!  Let me mention one more time that I do NOT have a sweet tooth.  Not even a baby one.  I opted (against warnings from several Disney friends – especially Lindsay from the Geekin’ on WDW Podcast) for the classic pineapple Dole Whip-in-a-cup.  I did post a video of my experience over on the Facebook page – the conclusion?  Probably won’t need to eat another Dole Whip.  Ever.  I realize there are billions of Dole Whip fans world wide.  I’m okay with not being one of them – I hope you’re okay with that too.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

I took a dorky video on this ride – with my iPhone after the GoPro’s battery was shot for the day.  I’ll show it to you sometime.  I waited SO long – forever! – to ride this coaster.  I’ll say this (with a complete review coming up in the future) – I knew it was half as long as Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and perhaps a little more than twice as long as Barnstormer.  I knew from all the spoilers, videos, and media Sign for Seven Dwarfs Mine Trainreviews I’d seen what to expect.  There was a tremendous amount of hype over this “kiddie coaster” in the new Fantasyland.  And still….I loved it!  The smoothest roller coaster in the World, this mine train is just great!

Now – the two things I missed.  One, I can fix in October – I want to try the sweet and spicy chicken waffle from Sleepy Hollow in Magic Kingdom.  That one will be easy.  The one thing I missed that might be tricky to make up (at least for a while, maybe never) – I SO wanted to see the Symphony in the Sky fireworks spectacular at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – it was a special treat for Star Wars Weekends.  We just couldn’t pull it off.  Sunday when we arrived, we’d been up since 3:00 am to catch a plane out of Dallas and we were SO tired.  Friday, we were victims of both the slow bus system servicing Old Key West and end-of-vacation exhaustion.  I can’t be too sad, though, we did and saw (and ate) so much this trip!  There’s just no way to feel disappointed.

So that’s the rundown of the most important things I was searching for on our WDW vacation.  What will YOU be looking for on your next visit?