Monthly Archives: November 2014

The Hall of Presidents – Give it a Chance

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The Hall of Presidents – Give it a Chance

I think the Hall of Presidents in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom gets a bad rap.  Sure, there’s the fact that it’s not a ride – there is in fact no spinning, twirling, climbing, or thrilling drops.  It might even smell a little bit educational and you know what?  When most folks go on vacation, the last thing they want to do is be educated.  History is boring, right?  Patriotism is for old people maybe.  Politics is a bad word.  Whatever the reason, the Hall of Presidents isn’t all that popular unless it’s an extremely warm day and you’re looking for a quiet place to nap.  Not me, though.  I actually like the Hall of Presidents – I love history, I love the animatronics, and I love knowing that Walt Disney would have loved it too.

Located in Liberty Square, the Hall of Presidents (modeled after Independence Hall) is an original Magic Kingdom attraction and opened on October 1, 1971.  Obviously, since there have been seven additional presidents since Richard Nixon was in office, the attraction has changed quite a bit over the years.  My fascination with the experience starts right when I walk through the door into the theater’s lobby.

The Great Seal of the United States is front and center.  That’s pretty awesome, but the perimeter of the room is what interests me the most.  The paintings are cool, the artifacts are interesting, but I love the first ladies’ dress displays.RM-Hall-of-Presidents-DressRM-Hall-of-Presidents-Dress2RM-Hall-of-Presidents-Dress-Laura-Bush

I can’t help it – I love fashion and I think seeing different styles worn by first ladies like Laura Bush makes the imagined historical figures seem more real.  If I arrive early enough, I take a long, slow stroll around the lobby to take it all in before entering the theater.RM-Hall-of-Presidents-Lincoln

Morgan Freeman could read the phone book to me and I’d gladly listen to every name and number.  The fact that Mr. Freeman is the narrator of the show in the Hall of Presidents makes it perfect.  The show’s use of multimedia effects holds my interest.  I really enjoy sitting close enough to study the details on each presidential figure.RM-Hall-of-Presidents-Lincoln-AnimatronicHonest Abe just floors me!  And gives me goose bumps.  I’m sappy, sentimental, and get all puffed up with patriotism during that show!

I don’t have to visit the Hall of Presidents on every vacation at Walt Disney World, but I’d be devastated if it ever closed.  Many people feel the American Adventure in Epcot is the better “American” attraction – and I’ll agree that Epcot’s show is also excellent, just not exactly the same.  RM-Hall-of-Presidents-The-PresidentsWalt Disney had the idea for bringing American Presidents to life in animatronic form – he knew the impact that could have!  Seeing our founding fathers and those that followed all together in one place makes quite an impression.  At least to me.

What about you?  Are you a fan of the Hall of Presidents or not so much.  If you’ve never seen it or it’s been a long time since you’ve experienced it – are you willing to give it a chance?

Celebrating at Disney’s California Grill

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RM-California-Grill-Place-SettingRaymond and I toyed with several options for our “official” 25th Anniversary Dinner.  Nothing was off the table (see what I did there?) including Victoria and Albert’s.  Not gonna lie, I was tempted.  But then I thought about how much we love the Contemporary and what a big role that resort has played in our Disney past and how many years ahead we’ll enjoy it as DVC members at Bay Lake Tower.  I think we were both a bit surprised when I passed on V&A’s in favor of the California Grill.

It had probably been ten years since we’d enjoyed the California Grill and we were excited to see the updated version.  You check in on the resort’s second floor and are escorted up to the restaurant.  I don’t mind this process – it adds to the “specialness” of the occasion.  We were pretty excited to be riding in the elevator with a couple celebrating their 40th anniversary.  We could easily picture ourselves in another 15 years.  They were very sweet and obviously still very much in love.  They told us they’d be back next year to celebrate in the same way.RM-California-Grill-Bar

Once we checked in, we were given the flashing buzzer thing and told it would be just a few moments and we were free to sit at the bar if we liked.  The bar looked great – very welcoming with an open design that showcased the impressive selection of libations.  Just as we touched the backs of our barstools preparing to sit down, our flasher/buzzer went off.  On to the table!RM-California-Grill-InteriorRM-California-Grill-View

Here’s where I got distracted.  The table for two by the window with a breathtaking view of the setting sun was perfect.  As were the magical touches we noticed throughout the evening – meant to make our anniversary dinner all the more special.  RM-California-Grill-Patron

Because I was distracted, I failed to make a note of our server’s name. I also forgot to snap a quick picture of our appetizer – I’d say I was sorry, but it’s hard to regret shutting out all distractions for a little while to enjoy Raymond’s company, soak up the atmosphere, and savor the incredible sushi we ordered as our first course.  The Mickey-shaped confetti sprinkled on our table was very festive!RM-California-Grill-Celebration

We’d ordered a bottle of wine, sampled the assorted breads served before the sushi arrived. ate ever grain of rice in our sushi (Spicy Kazan Roll: Crab, Shrimp, Scallops, Tuna, Fireball Sauce) and were ready for our entrees! Raymond ordered the “Spanish Seafood Pilaf – Cold Water Lobster Tail, Clams, Gulf Shrimp, Chorizo Picante, Saffron Rice” and I opted for the “Seared Rare Ahi Tuna with Lo Mein Noodles, Baby Shiitakes, Crispy Broccolini, Cilantro Soy Broth.”  See full menu here.  RM-California-Grill-EntreeRM-California-Grill-TunaAfter our plates arrived, we were very quiet for quite a while.  I couldn’t finish my tuna, but it was exactly what I’d hoped it would be – maybe even a little bit better.  Raymond felt the same way about his choice.  We were happy!RM-California-Grill-Dessert

Selecting a dessert was hard!  Raymond always gravitates towards anything cheesecake and that evening was no different.  He ended up choosing the “Blueberry-Lemon Cheesecake (No Sugar Added) Local Florida Blueberries, Huckleberry Sauce, Almond Tuile, Lemon Whipped Cream”  RM-California-Grill-FritterMost of the time when I say I want dessert, I end up not ordering anything but coffee then I’m happy with a bite or two of Raymond’s cheesecake.  That night though, I saw something on the menu that really piqued my interest. “Warm Homemade Fritters – Banana-stuffed, Cinnamon-dusted Fritters complemented with a Trio of Dipping Sauces”  Can I just say that this is my most favorite restaurant dessert ever ordered – in the history of my life?!?  The fritters were like dense, cake-doughnut holes with the slightest hint of banana-bread-ish-ness, rolled in cinnamon-sugar.  They were served in a paper cone and were, indeed, warm as promised.  RM-California-Grill-Dessert-SaucesThe dipping sauces, our server explained, were chocolate, peanut butter, and caramel.  I could shower you now with descriptive words in a lame attempt to convey the utter perfection of those fritters dipped in their accompanying sauces, but no matter how hard I tried, I wouldn’t be able to adequately share with you the perfection of that dessert.  RM-California-Grill-Dessert2Holy Moly.  Every single bite was amazingly delectable – Made even more special by the complimentary glasses of champagne that were served with our desserts in honor of the occasion. RM-California-Grill-Champagne

We. Were. Stuffed.  Coffee was in order to enable us to actually get up and move away from the table.  This is when I was even more happy we’d decided on the California Grill – we had only a short stroll across the walkway between the Contemporary and Bay Lake Tower to get back to our cozy little studio and sleep off our incredibly delicious and very special 25th anniversary dinner.

Have you been to the California Grill lately?  How did you enjoy your experience?

 

My Recent Visit to the Country Bear Jamboree

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RM-Country-Bears-Sun-Bonnet-TrioThe jokes are lame, the songs are cheesy and I love every single moment of the Country Bear Jamboree!  From the waiting area in the lobby to the ornate theater to the talking huntin’ trophies, this attraction’s a riot! Even if you’re not a huge fan of the Jamboree’s style, you have to admit its a pretty clever show, especially considering how long the gang’s been around.  If you’re looking for one of the Disney-est Disney World attractions you can find, you can’t beat the Bears.  It does happen to be one of the last attractions Walt Disney himself helped develop.

On one recent picture-perfect October day in the Magic Kingdom, I announced to Raymond in my most cheerful voice, “I really want to see the Country Bears!” What I got in return was a look. This look RM-Country-Bear-Stagespoke volumes. Raymond’s a man of few words to begin with and after 25 years of marriage he communicates with me silently much of the time. At that particular moment Raymond’s look said, “I’d rather not, but if you’re that excited about it, we can go…but only because you’re so cute and lovable.” And just like that, off we went to Frontierland’s Grizzly Hall.

In my mind I think of the Country Bears as old (the show premiered on October 1, 1971) so while I was waiting to enter the theater, I was picturing worn, mangy-looking fur coats and rusty, out of date animatronics. Boy, was I surprised! Those critters are in excellent shape and their movements are fluid and, well, I’d say “realistic” except they’re bears playing musical instruments and singing songs.  I wouldn’t change a single thing about the entire experience.

RM-Country-Bears-Baby-OscarFrom my most favorite bears, like Baby Oscar and Henry, the Master of Ceremonies, to the fancy hat-bearing Sun Bonnet Trio (sorry, can’t help myself), I thought the show was grand. If Animal Planet and Hee Haw got married and had a baby, it would be the Country Bear Jamboree.  What a show!  I completely agree that a hoedown might not be an enjoyable hootenanny for everyone, but the charm of the Country Bear Jamboree lies in its perfect theming for Frontierland, its quaint and sometimes irreverent dancehall humor, and the well-paced and surprising variety of acts.  How can anyone not find Liver Lips McGrowl at least a little bit interesting?

I adored every hair on the Country Bears’….well, everything, I suppose.  I know there are a RM-Country-Bears-Henrylot of haters, but honestly, the Country Bear Jamboree is so iconic, so classically Disney, I hope they’ll be around for many, many years to come.

It’s your turn – Love ’em?  Hate ’em?  Tell me what it is about the Country Bear Jamboree that makes you feel the way you do about it.

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Epcot’s Lumberjack Show

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RM-Lumberjack-Stage-CastI said I wasn’t going to do it.  I wasn’t going to write a review of the Lumberjack Show in Epcot because I didn’t like it and I don’t usually write negative reviews.  I try my best to write balanced reviews that highlight the good and, if any exists, the not-so-good about rides, resorts, restaurants, shows, and so on.

But every single time I look at the shattered screen on my brand new iPhone 6, I think about the Lumberjacks.  Weird, but true.  See, it all started like this……

Raymond and I found ourselves with a few spare minutes to leisurely stroll through Epcot one morning.  I checked the times for the Lumberjack Show since we were very close to the Canada Pavilion and I was very curious about this new and, well, somewhat controversial show.  The stage’s curtain was down, but we could hear show preparation noises going on behind it and decided to see what all the fuss was about – but on that day, there were no benches in front of the stage.  Those showed up the next day, oddly enough, but in the absence of seating, we moved to the far right of the stage and sat on the edge of some sort of landscaping wall.  I was wearing new pants – really adorable (if I do say) camo crops from Anthropologie and when I sat down, I set my phone on my lap.  Well the fabric of my new pants was actually more slippery than I anticipated and my phone slipped right off my leg and onto the concrete.  UGH!  I’ve had an iPhone for at least the past 5 years and have never ever even cracked a screen.  To put it mildly, I was really sad.  Raymond bought me that phone and I’d had it a month – now it was still usable, but marred.  Sigh.RM-Lumberjack-Show-Epcot

Not one to let my day be ruined by a mishap, I turned my still open-minded attention to the beginning of the show.  The show opens with a host who introduces a couple of two-man lumberjack teams – the blue team and the red team as indicated by the color of their plaid flannel shirts.  It was very hard to see!  The interior of the stage is small and quite dark; shadowed by the canvas cover that surrounds it.  I could hear the dialog just fine – the script was written so that the host and the lumberjacks are supposed to say things that are meant to be funny.  Sadly, the lines were delivered as if they were being read with poor timing and not a hint of comedy.  It was painful to watch!RM-Lumberjacks

The premise of the show is for the two teams to compete in lumberjack events like axe throwing and two-man sawing.  All conducted with those unfortunately delivered lines and in the dark recesses of the stage.  We watched in stunned silence.  THIS?  This is an actual show in a Walt Disney World park?  With all sincerity, we’d never seen anything like it anywhere before.

I guess you could say this is only a partial review because the moment those lumberjacks fired up their chainsaws we made a hasty retreat.  If I want to see someone use a chainsaw, I can go outside while Raymond trims low tree branches or cuts down a dead tree for firewood.  I do not, at any time while I’m on a Disney vacation, want to see or hear power tools in use.  How this is considered entertainment, I’ll never understand.RM-Lumberjack-Show2

So, there it is.  Epcot’s newest “talent” offering in the Canada Pavilion was not for us.  And every time I use my cell phone, I’m reminded of that sad fact.  I sure hope our local iPhone repair shop offers service on the 6 soon!  Then I can put the whole ugly mess out of my mind once and for all.

Have you seen the new Lumberjack Show?  How did you feel about it?