Disney Princess or Pirate? – Pirates League Review

 

Princess-to-PirateI have this friend named Melissa who’s a huge Disney fan.  We travel together sometimes for work and never run out of things to talk about. Melissa and her family take a Walt Disney World vacation every year in the fall for Food & Wine and Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. Melissa’s little girl, a second-grader, is really into things like cheerleading, fashion accessories, and watching Disney ride videos on YouTube.  Little Annelise is already a seasoned Disney traveler and she knows what she likes!

You’d think, wouldn’t you, that Annelise would be the perfect candidate for a makeover at the Bibbity-Bobbity-Boutique? That’s what my friend Melissa thought too when she offered to make an appointment for their most recent vacation. Turns out, we’d be wrong! See, Annelise has a bunch of girly interests, but is also really into things like zombies, age-appropriate classic horror films, and conventions like Walker Stalker Con. She did not want to visit the Boutique and be made over into a princess. She wanted to join the Pirates League!

The Pirates League experience at Walt Disney World is available to boys and girls, but is definitely more geared towards boys. On the day Melissa took her daughter there for her appointment, Annelise was the only girl in attendance. Having purchased a pirate outfit in advance (Melissa highly recommends this), Melissa and Annelise were welcomed into the League’s Adventureland headquarters near Pirates of the Caribbean.Pirate-Name-Machine

The Disney attention to detail is in abundance in the Pirates League.  Guests start out by spinning the helmsman’s wheel to discover their pirate name before pledging the Pirate Oath.  This was the first step for Annelise on her way to becoming Betty Goodhawk.  Once Betty (the pirate formerly known as Annelise) had her new name, the real transformation began.Pirates-League-TransformationPirates-Transformation-Begins Pirates-League-Transformation Taking-the-Pirate-Oath

Pirate Oath? Check.  Pirate name? Check.  Pirate appearance? Double-Check.  One last thing was necessary to make the change complete – entrance into the Secret Room just for pirates – this part’s details are super-extremely-top-secret and cannot be shared with anyone who has not taken the Pirate Oath, sorry.Pirate-Parade

Finally, Betty Goodhawk received her official Pirate Certificate signed by none other than Captain Jack Sparrow himself.  Betty and her fellow new pirates were all invited to return in the afternoon to participate in the Pirate Parade through Adventureland.Pirates

From the pictures, it’s obvious Betty/Annelise enjoyed the experience of becomeing a pirate, but what did her mom think?  Melissa said, “The crew at the Pirates League was amazing. Always in character. We loved it, and are already planning our next experience.”

If you have a daughter, is she more a Princess or a Pirate?

Exploring Discovery Island-Disney’s Animal Kingdom

If you’ve visited here before, you may have noticed what a HUGE Animal Kingdom fan I am – Kilimanjaro Safari, Expedition Everest, Maharajah Jungle Trek and Pangani Forest Exploration Trail are some of my most favorite attractions at Walt Disney World.  It’s the incredible theming and the perfection of those Disney details everywhere you look that make me love this park so much.  That’s why I chose this particular post from Disney Musings to share with you today for Saturdays With Nick.  The artistic details and interesting animal exhibits of Discovery Island are even more reason to love Animal Kingdom.  If you have never taken the time before or are planning your first visit to Walt Disney World, I whole-heartedly recommend taking some extra time to check out this amazing area.

Exploring Discovery Island-Disney’s Animal Kingdom

The Tree of Life is Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s majestic centerpiece.

There are 300 animals carved in this iconic symbol.

There is a wonderful and often overlooked area that gets you closer to this amazing display of artistry called the Discovery Island Trails.

I say often overlooked because every time we’ve visited this serene area, it is relatively uncrowded.
There are wooden foot bridges and tunnels.

Animals you may spot along these paths include White Storks, Asian Small-Clawed Otters, Red Kangaroos…

…West African Crowned Cranes, African Crested Porcupines, Galapagos Tortoise, Lesser Flamingos, Macaws, Saddle-Billed Storks,  Lappet Face Vultures, and Ring-Tailed Lemurs.

If you want to get off the beaten path at the Animal Kingdom, take a stroll along the Discovery Island Trails.

For more Disney adventures with Nick and Barbie, follow Disney Musings on your favorite social media:  Disney Musings Blog, on Twitter, on Facebook, On Instagram, On Pinterest.

Disney Dining – An Ode to Filth

Por Favor PodcastHi there readers! This is Gary and Mike from the Por Favor Podcast. Lisa has been kind enough to give us some space on her wonderful blog. After much consideration, we figured we should talk about what we know best. Filth.

For anyone not familiar with our podcast (we have literally dozen’s of listeners!) we endearingly refer to most food as filth. At least most food that we eat. That’s mostly because we eat generally filthy offerings, especially at Walt Disney World.

A perfect example of filth would be a burger from Pecos Bills with all the fixings. Apple slices would not be considered filth. I think you get the basic idea.

Now, on to the really fun part. We are going to break-down some of the filthiest foods in Walt Disney World. Some you will have surely heard about, some may be new to you. Each holds a place near and dear to our hearts…and stomaches.

Magic Kingdom

Dole Whip
​A Dole Whip from Aloha Isle might not be considered by many to fit the definition of filth, as set forth earlier in the article, but if we take into account the fact that Por Favor Gary likes to start his day with a Dole Whip for breakfast, this clearly falls into the filth file.Pineapple Dole Whip

Pork Shank
​A pork shank from Gaston’s Tavern is one of the truest forms of filth one can find in the Magic Kingdom. This greasy mass of meat is probably going to slow down your touring plans, but the lethargy is well worth it as you’ll feel a primitive satisfaction as you gnaw the last pieces of pig flesh off the bone in triumph.RM-Gaston's-Tavern-Roasted-Pork-Shank

Sweet and Spicy Chicken and Waffle Sandwich
​The sweet and spicy chicken and waffle sandwich from Sleepy Hollow Refreshments holds a special place in the pantheon of filth at the Magic Kingdom. There are some who would say that chicken and waffles don’t belong together (stuff that doesn’t go with stuff) and there are others who salivate at the idea of this culinary concoction. However you feel personally about this unique sandwich, you must agree that it is quite filthy.RM-Sweet-&-Spicy-Chicken-Waffle-Sandwich

EPCOT Center

Jalapeño and Cheese Stuffed Pretzel
​The jalapeno and cheese stuffed pretzel from Block and Hans in the American Adventure Pavilion is one of the best hidden secrets at Walt Disney World. This snack has it all. Portability, affordability and of course it’s stuffed full of cheese and jalapenos that define filth. This may be the neatest of the filth we encounter, but don’t let that fool you. This is a must try!RM-Jalapeno-Cheese-Pretzel

Scotch Egg
​Found at the Rose & Crown Pub, the scotch egg is an instant Por Favor Filth Favorite. Both Mike and Gary have experienced the true filthy beauty of this deep fried, hard boiled egg surrounded in sausage topped with an incredible mustard sauce. If this appetizer wasn’t presented so nicely in the restaurant it might take the cake as filthiest in all of EPCOT, but even in its somewhat refined form, it’s close to tops.

Churritos
​The miniature version of the iconic churro can be found at La Cantina de San Angel, the quick service outside of the Mexico Pavilion. The reason this item has made our list is because of the caramel dipping sauce that accompanies it. These adorable churritos are very tasty on their own, but when utilized properly they become a conveyance system for the caramel. No trip to Walt Disney World would be complete without a churro, so you might as well grab these little beauties and double down with the filthy caramel sauce!

Disney Hollywood Studios

Peanut Butter and Jelly Shake
​The 50s Prime Time Cafe is well known amongst Disney fans for its kitschy décor and intentionally overbearing waitstaff. It’s also know to have some of the best comfort food on property. However many guests overlook an item on the menu that has earned a spot in any filth lovers heart. A peanut butter and jelly shake may sound off-putting to some, but we say, give it a try and you’ll soon realize why Mike and Gary consider this pure filth in a cup.The Hollywood Brown Derby / Disney's Hollywood Studios

Cobb Salad
​Excuse me, did someone take over the reigns on this article? How on earth did a salad make its way into a list of filth? These questions could only be asked by someone who hasn’t experienced the filthy goodness of a Cobb salad from the Hollywood Brown Derby. You know this salad must be mind-blowingly filthy to make it to such rarefied territory. One bite of this salad and you’ll forget you’re actually eating some veggies among the filth.Starring Rolls Cafe / Disney's Hollywood Studios

Ham or Turkey Sandwich
​Once again, you may be having double take, but let us explain. The ham and turkey sandwiches from Starring Rolls Cafe are so chock full of deli meat that you can barely unhinge your jaw wide enough to fit all the filth into your maw. There is a token piece of lettuce and a scant offering of tomato on top of this sandwich and the bread is merely there because society hasn’t progressed enough yet to make it acceptable to eat a pound and a half of deli meat by itself in one sitting.

Animal Kingdom

Anything from Flame Tree BBQ
​Is this a cop out? Yes. Undoubtedly, but who are we to deprive you of any of the offering from what many consider the best quick-service on property. Mike and Gary can definitively say that this is the filthiest quick-service around. Between the fall-off-the-bone ribs and the best baked beans around, this joint can fling some filth. Do not do yourself a disservice and miss Flame Tree. You can’t go wrong with any of the filth offered.Flame-Tree-Barbeque

Beef Lo-Mien
​You got us. This item is no longer offered at Yak and Yeti, but we felt it was still worthy of our praises. Just because something is gone doesn’t mean it hasn’t impacted our lives. And, hey, look at the citrus swirl! It could come back. Anyway, this was one of the original food items that Mike and Gary referred to as filth on the podcast. It’s just a Chinese food take-out style box filled to the brim with filth. Tons of beef, noodles and some veggies to make people feel a little better about themselves. Maybe if this article gets enough traction, we might see this menu item make its triumphant return to Animal Kingdom.RM-Yak-&-Yeti-Restaurant-Exterior

Spice Rubbed Karubi Ribs
​It helps having a local as one half of your show, because this filth offering is from the brand new Harambe Market. Por Favor Mike had the difficult task of dragging himself to Animal Kingdom and trying out this new item. It comes with green papaya-carrot slaw and a chickpea, cucumber and tomato salad. In case you weren’t sure, that is considered “stuff that doesn’t go with stuff”. Despite this, it still was able to earn Mike’s seal of approval. Next time you are in Animal Kingdom, check out the new Harambe Market and see which new piece of filth piques your interest!

There are many more chances to indulge in filth at Walt Disney World and perhaps if Lisa is so gracious we can come back and list a few of our favorites from outside the parks! If you liked what you’ve read, be sure to check out our podcast at www.porfavorpodcast.com like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/porfavorpodcast and follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/porfavorpodcast and www.twitter.com/porfavormike

A Leisurely Stroll Through Hollywood

Disney's-Hollywood-StudiosTiki Keith is BACK!  Straight from the Tiki Hut and the Enchanted Tiki Talk Podcast, please welcome once more, my very good friend and fellow Disney fanatic, Keith.  To hear more about Keith’s passion for all things Disney, listen to the Enchanted Tiki Talk Podcast, follow Keith on Twitter, and Like Enchanted Tiki Talk on Facebook.

A Leisurely Stroll Through Hollywood – by Keith from Enchanted Tiki Talk

Admittedly Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a park in transition. With constant rumors (some slips and confirmations) there is no doubt that the future is brighter than the present. However, it is still one of my favorite parks. The reasons why might surprise you.

Unlike most people I don’t stampede the crowd at rope drop and run to either Rockin’ Roller Coaster or Toy Story Midway Mania. Thankfully, I am big enough where most people avoid me like a bull in Spain. Rather than goring unsuspecting guests I like to take my time and enjoy the finer points of the park.Twilight-Zone-Tower-of-Terror

One of my favoite things is to stop and watch are the Citizens of Hollywood. They are a group of comedians, “magicians”, keystone cops, etc who love to put on shows in the street. They always draw a crowd and pull you into their scenes.Citizen-of-Hollywood

Drawing on my childhood memories Muppet*Vision 3D is a can’t miss show. The queue line is one of the best (check under the mat), and the show itself puts you in the theater for a wild ride with the Muppets.Muppets in Disney's Hollywood Studios

Recently sponsored by Turner Classic Movies, The Great Movie Ride is still an amazing attraction. You are literally put into scenes from some of the most treasured films of all time.

There is also a fitting tribute that most people walk right past. If you look above the Hollywood and Vine restaurant. There is a window tribute to Eddie Valiant and the silhouette of Roger Rabbit. Who Framed Roger Rabbit in my opinion is a far underrated film that needs more appreciation in the parks.Walt Disney: One Man's Dream / Disney's Hollywood Studios

Lastly, I will leave you with my favorite non thrilling part of Disney’s Hollywod Studios. Walt Disney’s One Man’s Dream is maybe the most important attraction in the park. Most people run right past it stampeding to Toy Story Midway Mania. However, I feel it is important to teach and show every generation that Walt Disney is more than the name on the front gate. This attraction is a two part look into Walt’s life and imagination. The first part is a walkthrough museum. You can see a recreation of Walt’s office, models of them park lands, early artifacts from films, and even some of his miniature sets. Then you go into a theater to watch a film about his life in his own words. His story of perseverance, imagination, and hard work should be shown to this and every future generation. Not only to help inspire new dreamers, but to keep Walt’s legacy alive.Street-in-DHS

So the next time you feel the strong breeze of people running by you. Don’t run with them, walk the other way and take your time to enjoy the finer points of this wonderful park.