Mini Spoiler-Free THOR Review

General Dis Pics 11.13 035

 

Thor:  The Dark World

So, Raymond and I contributed to the $86 million Thor took in over its opening weekend by going on a movie date.  My two cents:

Much better than the first Thor movie (and not just because Thor is sporting longer, better-looking hair – but it works for him, just sayin’).  I’ve enjoyed all the Marvel movies, but the first Thor was actually my least favorite.  I’m pretty sure it was all the jumping around between different story lines that made it less than fantastic to me – and I find the Asgardian accents a bit strange and inconsistent – but all that changed in Thor 2. 

This movie really brought out so much more depth in each character.  ReneGeneral Dis Pics 11.13 036 Russo’s Frigga has a much larger role, the onion that is Loki has a few more layers peeled back – can I just add that Tom Hiddleston is incredible in this movie – best villain ever.  Even the all-seeing Heimdall (Idris Elba) opens up a bit.  Since this is a spoiler-free review, I’ll be careful, but if you saw the trailers for Thor, you know that Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) goes with Thor to Asgard – I thought this would be totally weird, but it was fine and helped bring everything together nicely for the story.

Bottom line – if you weren’t a huge fan of Thor after the first movie, give him another chance.  Thor:  The Dark World has edge-of-your-seat action, emotion, super special effects and some hysterically funny parts you will absolutely love.  Important:  Stay in your seat until the last credits roll – there are two post movie scenes you don’t want to miss.

Did you see Thor this weekend?  What did you think?

Magical Memory Monday – Walk Around the World Brick

IMG_2015

We took our first trip to Disney World with children in 1996.  Megan was four and Joseph was 13-months old.  This trip was taken during what I fondly refer to as “the lean years” – you know, the just-starting-out part of your lives when you’re living on love ’cause there’s not much else.  It was a big deal for us to take this trip.  A family reunion was planned at an off-site motel, so we flew down a few days early and splurged for an on-property stay at a value resort.  All Star Music is where we ended up.  In July.  Yes, just imagine!  We knew so little back then!!!  I will say, the Brazilian teens we encountered were very sweet and the girls all wanted to hold Joseph, marveling over his (then) blonde hair and blue eyes.  He soaked up the attention (and candy) they heaped upon his little baby self while he practiced his charm with the ladies at the guitar-shaped swimming pool.

Even though money was so tight back then, we were, of course, completely and totally IMG_1980enthralled by the perfection of Disney World as a vacation spot for The Fam.  We decided on an additional splurge: a Walk Around the World brick to mark our spot at OUR Happiest Place on Earth – even if we couldn’t visit again for a while.  I have found that Disney does a great job of inducing you to make emotion-driven purchases, but that’s another topic for another day.  Plus, I’ve never been a fan of being TOO practical anyway.

IMG_2076So the deal was, you dished out about $250 (if I recall correctly) for a personalized brick paver to be placed on the walkway which had been planned to circle the Seven Seas Lagoon.  Now, unfortunately, the circling was scrapped, but hundreds (thousands?) of us purchased bricks nonetheless.  Look down on the walkway outside Magic Kingdom!  It made us feel part of the magic – even if we couldn’t be there.  It took us a while to go back – about 8 years, but once we made it, it was time to see our brick.

A code on the certificate we received with the brick’s purchase indicated the brick’s location.  Ours started with a “W” so we knew our brick would be west of the Magic Kingdom heading on the walkway towards (but never reaching) the Grand Floridian.  Raymond did the research to narrow down the exact location.  We went in search of our little mark on Disney World.  A lot worn down and worse for IMG_1981wear, we were thrilled anyway when we found it!  Even though a long time had passed between trips, knowing that our hexagonal marker was waiting for us, made it’s very impractical purchase worth every penny.

 

 

Saturday Salute – Boma’s Chicken Corn Chowder

If you ever have the opportunity to eat at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, jump on it!  We eat there every time we’re at Disney World and have enjoyed every single bite.

IMG_0921

Topsy from South Africa

The lobby of the Animal Kingdom Lodge is worth a visit even without the delish food!  It’s HUGE and themed extremely well.  PLUS, you can walk right out onto the savannah for a look at the many different African animal species that roam all around the Lodge.  You know how I feel about Kilimanjaro Safari, so you can just imagine how much I like the savannah overlook area.  There is usually at least one castmember from Africa out there to answer any and all questions you might have about their homeland.  Raymond and I spoke to a young man from Botswana for quite a while one evening and enjoyed hearing him talk about Africa and what it was like growing up there.  Topsy from South Africa was there on our last visit.  She was so funny when we introduced her to Perry the Platypus.

IMG_3235

Raymond Checks out the Animals on the Savannah with Joseph’s Assistance

Okay, back to the food.  We’ve eaten at The Mara (quick service), Boma (buffet) and Jiko (table service), but I’m sure Sanaa (maybe next visit) is equally as fabulous.  It’s Boma and Jiko that keep us coming back – the food is unlike any other found at a Disney World resort and the service is always top notch.

Let’s just focus our taste buds on Boma.  The African-flavor-inspired dishes on this buffet are so plentiful, everybody finds something to love.  As with all Disney buffets, there are plenty of options for less-adventurous diners like mac-n-cheese and pasta.  Boasting an impressive variety of salads (oh, that watermellon rind salad is to die for!), several soups (thus, today’s Salute!), and main dishes (rice dishes, ribs, chicken, beef at a carving station, and much more)  to choose from.  And lets not forget about dessert and Boma’s famous Zebra Domes (little striped cake bites from heaven)!

IMG_2075

 

I found the recipe for Boma’s Chicken Corn Chowder at Magical Recipes.  The weather here has finally cooled off a bit and that always puts me in the mood for soup.  We (Raymond and I of the empty nest) particularly like this soup because it’s not only satisfying, but it has a spicy kick that makes it not-just-another chowder.  Bread and a side salad make it a meal.  Since this post is a tribute to Boma’s recipe, I made it exactly as written.  I did specifically use Tobasco brand sauce because to use anything else in Lousiana is at least a sin (if not illegal).  The result?  Mmmmmmm…Good!

What’s your favorite place to eat at Disney World?

Saturday Salute – Beers of Epcot

IMG_3008Let’s talk beer for a minute.  I follow the blog of a great guy, Nicholas (and his wife, Barbie), over at Disney Musings.  Nick likes beer – possibly even more than Raymond and I do (I know, right?).  Nick recently posted an article I really enjoyed at Tips from the Disney Divas and Devos about this year’s Epcot International Food and Wine Festival.  He also reviewed an app recently at Disney Musings called Beers and Ears:  The Beers of Walt Disney World.  What?  We LOVE the beers at Disney World – there’s an app for that?  Who knew?!?!  Thanks, Nick!  You’ve provided us with our Saturday Salute for this evening.  Beers and Ears is also a terrific blog – check it out here.

Ladies and Gentlemen.  Today’s Saturday Salute.  I bring you two beers that can be found at Disney World (and in the wilds of Louisiana and maybe at a liquor store near you)…

Sierra Nevada Torpedo Ale – per my brand new FREE Beers and Ears app:  “Torpedo is currently on the standard Walt Disney World bar menu and can be found at most table service and lounge locations.  It’s definitely one of the best beers on that menu, which makes it a good choice when you’re at a location with the shared menu and not much else.”

Kirin Ichiban – Currently found in the Japan Pavilion of Epcot’s World Showcase – also available at many other locations throughout Disney World.

So we’re going to go enjoy our adult beverages now while watching our newly purchased Monsters University DVD.  Together.  In our empty nest.  Our Disney Life is good!

Oh, BTW – my fist article writing as Darlin’ Diva for Tips From the Disney Divas and Devos ran today.  It’s on the importance of planning for your Disney World vacation  Please go check it out if you haven’t yet had the chance and let me know what you think.  Thanks!