Category Archives: Disney at Home

What-if Wednesday – Disney Food Home Delivery

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What if WednesdayFellow Disney Fans!  It’s time once again for What-If Wednesday!  The game show where we use our imagination to answer Disney-specific “What-if” questions.  Contestants from Twitter and Facebook go head to head and
compete to invent the most popular answers.  Get ready to let your imagination run
wild!  And as Drew Carey would say, this is ”the show where everything’s
made up and the points don’t matter.”

 

What if you could have any one Disney food item delivered to your door?  What would it be? 

It’s guaranteed – if the “What-if” question involves food, there will be a bunch of participants!  This time was no exception but what was surprising is that what I expected and what I got were completely different.  I asked the question and the answers were fantastic!  Early risers jumped into the game with breakfast foods, others were craving their favorite sweet tooth fix or salty snack selections, and a few were ready for some serious main course action!

So, here are the answers to this week’s round – broken down into three categories:  Breakfast foods, Snack Fix, and Meaty Main Course!

Let’s Play!

In the Breakfast Category:

Denise (Facebook) answered simply: “Dole whip for me, Mickey waffles for my son” – I slid this answer into the breakfast category because of the waffles and the fact that anytime of day is the perfect time for a Dole Whip!  Denise gets 25 bonus points for thinking of someone else’s stomach instead of just her own!

Curtis Stone (@GeekinOnWDW) “Since it’s morning, I’d like one of those large croissant egg sandwiches I’ve had at Beach Club.”  Having never visited the Beach Club, much less had one of those breakfast sandwiches, I can only speculate about their tastiness, but they do sound perfectly delicious.  And conveniently portable for a breakfast food!

Ideal breakfast EVERY morning

Photo Credit – Jenni Vander Weide

Andrea Roberts (@andpes13)   ‏This time of day I would like the puffed French toast from Crystal Palace…yum!  Then Andrea added, “It’s always a great time!  We try to go there or Boma for a breakfast every trip :)”  Puffed French toast?  Seriously – who would not want to try that?  It sounds like a little bit of heaven…with the added bonus of getting to hang out with Pooh, Piglet, Tigger and Eeyore while you’re feasting!

Jeanie (@jeanieblue114)  “mickey waffle with fruit. I never seem to make it to breakfast. Still have never had Tonga toast”  The Mickey waffle is absolutely a classic – the quintessential Disney breakfast food, but Jeanie knows the truth – they say Tonga Toast is the most amazingly delicious stuff on Disney property – devotees of this menu item from the Polynesian’s Kona Café swear by its perfection….which may explain why it’s been on the menu since 1971!

Snack Fix Section:

Amy (Facebook) “Beignets and a mint julep from New Orlelans Square. Mmmm…”  Initially, this started to go under the breakfast category – that’s when I eat my Beignets (with café au lait, of course) – but serving them alongside a mint julep sounded like a rockin’ afternoon snack to me.  And, as we say here in Louisiana – Amy’s answer “flung a craving on me!”  50 points to Amy for making me hungry for beignets!

Megan (Facebook) “Port Orleans River Roost lounge had these amazingly awesome pimiento cheese fritters with this delicious red pepper jelly on the side.  We ended up having them three or four times during our Disney World trip in January/February and I’ve craved them more frequently than any other snack from Disney World.”  I have stayed at Port Orleans and how these incredible-sounding perfect little combos of sweet and salty goodness escaped my notice is nearly unbelievable!  Has anyone else tried these?  I want them!!!

Ruth (Facebook) “The lemon tart from Raglan Road” – well, Ruth, I love lemon and happen to have myself a little ADR at Raglan Road coming up!  Shall I send you a picture?  ‘Cause I will certainly be giving the lemon tart a try!!

Niki (Facebook) enthusiastically answered – “SELMAS!!!”  Uhmmmm, what?  Niki had me stumped…what the heck is a Selma’s?  I’m supposed to know all about Disney stuff (I do have my own blog and all) and I’m embarrassed to say I had to Google Niki’s answer.  Selma’s is a bakery that makes cookies sold in Disney parks!  Ah, okay, so I asked Niki (pretending I knew all along what she was talking about) what kind she wanted and she answered, “At this moment in my life white chocolate raspberry.” So, Niki – 75 points for stumping me and a gift of sorts in return.  I found a blog while I was conducting my Selma’s research and they claim to have developed a white chocolate cookie recipe to duplicate your Selma’s favorite:  MyBakerLady.com – enjoy!

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Photo Credit – Disney Dream Girls

Heather (Facebook) is absolutely positive, her Disney food delivery would be “cheese empanadas from the Mexico Pavilion.”  Why, Heather, do you need those?  Heather confessed,  “I dream about them. Literally.”  Dreamy food?  Oh, boy – I am going to have to try those empanadas!!!  Great review here at EatingWDW.com  I’m putting these babies in the snack section only because they don’t contain meat, disqualifying them from being among the “Meaty Main Courses”.

Disney Dream Girls (@DisDreamGirls) – The reply was simply a picture of a certain popular frozen treat and…. “need I say more?” #dolewhip #polynesianresort #delish

The WDW Blog (@theWDWblog) “hmmm right now I would have to say the kitchen sink from Beaches & Cream I’ve got a sweet tooth atm :)”  I don’t know if you’ve ever SEEN the monstrosity that is the Kitchen Sink – mother of all ice cream sundaes, but that baby is humongous!  I asked WDW Blog if they knew how much one weighed and the answer was, “Oh geez I have no idea at least 5 pounds lol (that’s without the bowl counting) lol”  I assure you – that is no joke!

Rebecca (Facebook) didn’t want to get left out of this week’s round!  She said,  “Am I too late? Right now I’m thinking Butterfinger cupcake, because that might be the only way I could get it any time soon. :D”  I’ve written an entire post on craving this particular sweet treat and I applaud Rebecca’s choice.  The Butterfinger cupcake (available DSCN2520at Disney’s Hollywood Studios) would satisfy hunger as a breakfast, dessert, or late night snack.  Excellent answer!

Dennis (@oakmanner) “Jalapeño cheese stuffed pretzel!” Okay, Dennis – haven’t had one, but I have heard they’re good.  I want mine with a cold, dark beer to wash it down.  Mmmmmm.

Meaty Main Course Cravings:

Kelley (Facebook) “Filet from LeCellier!  I would say Dole Whip float, but I’ve just about mastered that recipe.”  First – I LOVE the filet at Le Cellier – say what you want about the price or the difficulties one often encounters trying to score an ADR to eat at this table service restaurant in Epcot’s Canada pavilion – the steaks are excellent!  Second, yes, of course I asked Kelley for her Dole Whip recipe and here it is:

  • Ok, here’s the recipe I use for my small ice cream maker: Mix 2 cups Dole pineapple juice and 1 cup sugar until sugar is dissolved. Add 1 cup heavy cream, 1 tsp vanilla, splash of each – lemon juice and lime juice. Add milk to make 4 cups total. Make in ice cream maker, freeze then serve with pineapple juice. YUM!

Teresa (Facebook) “Monte Cristo sandwich!” – Once again, it’s a food item I’ve heard about repeatedly on blogs and podcasts.  It seems the Blue Bayou restaurant at Disneyland serves up a version of this battered-and-fried turkey, ham, and cheese sandwich – sprinkled with powdered sugar and served with blackberry preserves on the side- that is to die for.  Just in case we want to try this and don’t have a trip to California in our near future, here’s a recipe for it from the Disney Food Blog.

Chris Schenck (@Incage2) “ribs from flame tree!”  Now THESE I can recommend!  We love Flame Tree Barbeque at the Animal Kingdom park.  Great food.

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Photo Credit – David Hodges

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Photo Credit: David Hodges

David Hodges (@thedislife)  “Does this count as one food item?” – Like the Dream Girls, Dave answered with a picture – all I can say is Holy COW! (they used a whole cow!) – what on Earth?  Dave tells me his choice is the “Bacon wrapped meatloaf….. Wolfgang :)”  (Wolfgang Puck’s in Downtown Disney) So, I asked Dave how close he came to finishing this meat and potato monstrosity and he answered with another picture!  “I licked the plate and had this for dessert :)”  People, I believe we have a winner!  1000 points to David Hodges for his appetite!

Thank you ALL for playing!  Come back next week and find out the answer to What if……?

 

 

What IF – You Had Unlimited Funds on Your Next Disney Vacation

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What if WednesdayFellow Disney Fans!  It’s time once again for What-If Wednesday!  The game show where we use our imagination to answer Disney-specific “What-if” questions.  Contestants from Twitter and Facebook go head to head and
compete to invent the most popular answers.  Get ready to let your imagination run wild!  And as Drew Carey would say, this is ”the show where everything’s made up and the points don’t matter.”  Let’s play!

Do you know what I love about What-if Wednesdays?  The passion and creativity contestants bring to the table when coming up with answers.  This week, those two characteristics were especially evident in the responses I received to this question…

What if you had unlimited funds for your next Disney Vacation?  What would you FINALLY get to do?  What would change?

This week, Facebook readers by far had more to say than Twitter followers!  Answers fell CR Instagrammostly into three categories:  WHAT type of Disney vacation you’d take, WHERE you’d be staying and eating, and finally WHAT specific activities you’d enjoy.

Here’s what our Facebook participants had to say:

Our own Megan played along this week with:  “So. Many. Souvenirs. Hahaha.
Really tho I would like to see Cirque du Soleil again. Perhaps stay at the grand Floridian. A very epic spa day maybe!   Some shopping at Down Town Disney.”  – That’s my girl!  I’d want in on that spa day action.  Think about it – halfway through your stay, you book and entire day for a massage, facial, pedi – you’d be so rejuvenated and ready to get back out to those rides and attractions!

Niki said,  “This is a great question!!! I would definitely stay at the Beach Club…maybe Poly…I would spend the extra money on boat rental for fire works, maybe serious shopping at DTD and definitely purchase a come back trip!!!”  I’d never even thought about one of those fireworks cruises.  I LOVE this idea!  Here’s a link to Specialty Cruises at Walt Disney World (in case you want to know what Niki and I are so excited about!).

IMG_5111Randi would enjoy dining at “Victoria and Albert’s and stay at Contemporary.”  I like Randi’s way of thinking – stay at a Magic Kingdom resort on the monorail loop (and the Contemporary is GREAT!), eat at the best fine dining experience at Walt Disney World and then just hop back on the monorail to get back to your resort when dinner is over.  Winner, winner, chicken dinner! (or seafood, or veal, or lamb, or beef – no telling what those chefs at V&A’s will come up with!)

Jenni wins the prize for most substantial plan!  “I’d go to Anaheim, then Hawaii, then Tokyo, Beijing, Paris, Disney cruise, then WDW. You said unlimited funds… I’d spend at least 4-5 days at each with a 7-10 days at WDW.”  I suggested doing the cruise last as a means of recuperating from all that traveling and theme-park walking, but Jenni loves Walt Disney World, she wanted to save the best for last.  Go, Jenni!

Christine had only two items on her wish list: “Stay  at a deluxe resort and spend a night in IMG_5038Cinderella’s castle for my daughter.”  I don’t know how old Christine’s daughter is, but having a mom who wishes she could give you the unbelievably magical experience of staying in Cinderella Castle is pretty darned special!  Loving-mom bonus points to Christine!

Ruth was very decisive when she jumped into the discussion with:  “AKL for one week followed by a week with a MK view with all the backstage tours.”  Well, Ruth, I have to agree with you about the tours!  I’m embarrassed to say that (like the fireworks cruises) using unlimited funds to take the tours never entered my mind until now.  I’ve always wanted to do one of the tours, but they are kind of pricey.  Plus the Backstage Magic tours take 7 hours – that’s a lot of precious vacation time, but if you’re going to be at the World, then there’s plenty of time for pretty much everything!

Stephanie had a very well-thought-out list (including my most favorite answer of the day):  “Stay at a deluxe resort, eat at the more expensive restaurants, buy souvenirs for kids I IMG_2544don’t know at the parks, do the dolphin adventure at Epcot, and take a couple of tours.”  Yes, Stephanie said with unlimited funds she would buy souvenirs for kids she doesn’t know at the parks!  Oh, Stephanie!  You are so sweet!  Haha!  For me, other people’s kids are, well….let’s be honest – they’re like a huge downside of Disney vacations and you want to buy them presents.  You are absolutely the nicest person and I’d say I want to be you when I grow up, but…I’m pretty sure I’m WAY older than you and totally (supposed to be) grown up already.  You get 100 bonus points for generosity and liking children!!!

Ellen knew exaction what she’d do:  “I want to go to Aulani!”  Oh, yeah!  Aulani…Disney’s Hawaiian resort.  It looks like a slice of paradise and there are all those Hawaiian things to do and see!  Plus, Disney service, kids programs, and activities!  If you haven’t checked out the website for Aulani, take a peek!  Good answer, Ellen!

Here’s what our friends on Twitter had to say:

IMG_3280Jayne Phipps (@JaynePhipps)  tweeted that the idea of unlimited funds “gives greater freedom especially when shopping :)”  Well, there are a lot of shopping options – and even more in the future when the new Disney Springs (Down Town Disney) is complete.  Trust me – shipping it home instead of trying to keep up with purchases is worth the extra cost – which you can pay with the imaginary What-if money you’re pretending to use right now.

 Wonders of The World (@V24Wonders) “Last year I would easily have said stay at the Poly but because of the construction/refurb I’ll go with Tree House Villas”  – Now, I have heard a rumor that the pool at the Poly (Polynesian) will be closed later this summer for the resort’s re-design (and the addition of DVC rooms/villas) and the pool closure may last a YEAR!  If that’s true, then Tree House Villas would be awfully fun!  If you haven’t seen them yet (at Saratoga Springs) – look here.

 Oli Oliver (@OliRage) Knew exactly what to do with unlimited funds, “Never leave. Victoria and Albert’s.” – Hilarious and brilliant at the same time!  I confirmed with Oli that he hadn’t yet had the opportunity to dine at Victoria and Albert’s and neither have I.  You bet if I had unlimited funds I’d go hang out there with Oli for a meal or two.  It’s quite the splurge, but I’ve heard nothing but rave reviews.

Sarah (@CheshireCanuck) would “Stay at the Grand Floridian for a week!”  Then added, “Oh I’d also buy out the Magic Kingdom for a night and have all my friends and family show up to a surprise vow renewal for us” – what a creative and romantic answer – Unlimited funds would IMG_0834certainly mean being able to treat yourself (and your loved ones) to something extra special.  I like the idea of a Disney vow renewal.  Well played, Sarah!

Jennifer (@Minnie_ears) Would, “Stay at the Poly and the Grand, club level for like, a month!”  Well, Jennifer, I can vouch for the excellence of club level – we were unexpectedly upgraded (Yay, Pixie Dust!) to club level once at the Grand Floridian…sadly, it was only a two-night stay.  The snacks, the breakfast foods, the service, and the Magic Kingdom view were all spectacular!!!  An entire month of that and you’d be SO spoiled!!!

Rebecca Kelly (@rkellyWDW) After careful consideration, Rebecca needed two tweets to respond: “OK. Unlimited funds: Land & Sea cruise and WDW trip. Deluxe Dining plan. Stay at AKL for 5 days before, Savannah level, &…then at the Poly for 5 days after the cruise. I think I’d have to do a 7-day cruise but doesn’t matter where. ;).  – So we’re talking a 17-day vacation!  Sounds DSCN3118perfect and I agree that as long as you’re cruising with Disney, it really doesn’t matter where you go – it’ll be a great time with phenomenal service, good food, and the best nighttime entertainment in the cruise industry.  All this imaginary fun! Can I pretend go with you, Rebecca?

DisneyPrincess83 (@OzGoofyPrincess) would “stay for 3 months. We stayed for 6 weeks last year. Just over 5 weeks at WDW and a Disney Dream Cruise.”  Really?  SIX weeks for vacation would be so incredible, I can’t even begin to imagine 3 months.  If you spent five weeks at Walt Disney World before your Disney cruise – and you still want to come back for more, then that answers one of the questions I’ve always had:  How long do you have to stay before you’re satisfied?  Clearly the answer is longer than five weeks.  The closest to a six week vacation I’ve ever had was maternity leave…and…. yeah, that’s not at all like a Disney vacation.  At. All.

WOW!  What great participation and thoughtful, creative answers!!!  I appreciate everyone for playing and if you have any suggestions for future “What-if” questions, be sure to let me know. 

Remembering Dallas McKennon – Voices of Disney

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IMG_1263Have you ever ridden Big Thunder Mountain Railroad?  How many times have you heard the prospector’s voice say, “Howdy, folks! Please keep your hands, arms, and legs inside the train, and remain seated at all times. (Laugh) Now then, hang onto them hats and glasses, ’cause this here’s the wildest ride in the wilderness!” ?  If you’re like me, Big Thunder Mountain just wouldn’t be complete without that announcement!

The prospector is none other than Dallas McKennon!  Who, you ask?  Well, if you don’t know about the late Dallas McKennon, let me tell you all about him!  Dallas McKennon’s contributions to Disney go way beyond the voice of BTMRR’s prospector.  During his 50-year career, Dallas McKennon’s face and voice appear in so many places!  Some are going to surprise you.

Born Dallas Raymond McKennon in Oregon in 1919, Dal McKennon made numerous memorable contributions to both movies and cartoons, for Walt Disney and other companies.  Remember the Owl in Sleeping Beauty?  Dallas McKennon!  He provided the voices for no less that FIVE characters in Marry Poppins:  Fox, Hunting Horse, Penguin 1, Carousel Guard, and Reporter #1.  Have you ever visited the American Adventure in Epcot?  Guess who provided the voice for Ben Franklin?  You betcha! – it was Dallas McKennon.  He also voiced four roles in Lady and the Tramp (Pedro, Toughy, Hyena, and Professor) and characters in several other Disney Sleeping Beautymovies and attractions – including Zeke in the Country Bear Jamboree.  Sounds and voices in The Haunted Mansion, It’s a Small World, and even barking dogs in 101 Dalmatians were all part of Dallas McKennon’s work.

Providing the voices of a huge number of characters in the Saturday morning cartoons I grew up with, Dallas McKennon has been a constant presence in my life.  Until I started blogging about Disney, I never even realized it.  He played 81 characters in Woody Woodpecker cartoons alone.  If you’ve ever watched any Archie cartoons, Dallas McKennon was the voice of Archie Andrews.  He also voiced the likes of both Gumby and Pokey, Kellogg’s Tony the Tiger and all three of the Rice Krispies characters Snap, Crackle, and Pop!

In live action movies, Dallas McKennon played innkeeper Cincinnatus along side Fess Parker in the Daniel Boone TV series.  He also appeared in Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds and with Elvis Presley in Clambake!

Dallas McKennonGone, since July 14, 2009 (just five days shy of his 90th birthday), Dallas McKennon is still contributing to the happy Disney memories of millions of children today.  Next time you’re on vacation and you hear Ben Franklin or the Big Thunder Mountain prospector, please tip your Earhat to the man behind some of our favorite Disney moments.

 

Disney at Home: An Adorable Dalmatian Teapot

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Teapot 2We have Disney dinnerware with Mickey on it and a Ratatouille wine print on our kitchen wall.  I’ve got that Haunted Mansion bottle-stopper and a spiffy Disney cookie jar.  Know what else you can find in my kitchen?  An adorable Dalmatian teapot.

To be honest, I can’t remember exactly where I bought it, but I can tell you the happy circumstances under which I discovered my little spotted treasure.  Raymond’s family, until very recently, had a traditional annual get-together – a trip + family reunion that allowed everyone (parents, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, children, grandchildren, you get the idea) to meet up at a different location every summer and enjoy a long weekend of family togetherness while exploring new destinations.  Over the years we’ve been to places as far away as Disney World, San Antonio, and Fredricksburg, Texas – we’ve also traveled not so far, to off the beaten path places like Broken Bow Lake (Oklahoma), Gaston’s White River Resort (Lakeview, Arkansas), Branson (Missouri) and once, some funky little cabinsTeapot 4 in Breaux Bridge (Louisiana).  Some of these locations offered exceptional antique shopping!  The Fam is always game for that.

It was in a small-town antique store – I may not remember which town (I suspect it was Eureka Springs, Arkansas) , but I can picture the store perfectly.  On the far right side of the shop, in the very back, on a crowded lower shelf, I spotted Roly, the Dalmatian teapot, among an eclectic group of kitchen oddities.  He’s rather small (about 8″ tall) and in perfect condition – as soon as I saw him, I knew he’d be coming home with me.  Usually, I just go along for the entertainment of watching Joseph and Raymond find amazing items – some Disney collectibles, some in need of a little TLC, some quirky (like a rather scary looking antique metal dentist’s chair Joseph bought once on a whim).  For once, I was not leaving empty handed!

Teapot 3Roly was Made in the U. S. A. by Treasure Craft, a pottery company founded in California in 1945 and later purchased by Pfalzgraff.  Treasure Craft made a number of Disney-themed items ranging from teapots to cookie jars, salt and pepper shakers, and cups and saucers.  I know Roly’s not very old, but he’s precious and adorable and he cost me $12 – which is an excellent price to pay for a happy memory AND a Disney collectible perfect just for me.

What’s the best Disney treasure you’ve ever found?