Thirsty Thursday - Jalapeno Margarita

Welcome back to Thirsty Thursday!  Today I'm featuring a drink that you can find virtually everywhere in Disney World.  It's a Jalapeno Margarita.  These are available at almost every sit down bar and every sit down restaurant (that serves alcohol).  The bite is just enough to satisfy the jalapeno lovers yet it is so refreshing. 

 

Watch It Wednesday - Halloween Surprise

These will not all be videos from my own personal trips but since right now is such a great time to book a trip for October 2013, I thought I would post my mother/son trip surprise from October 2011.  We had a blast on this trip and it was our first time experiencing Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party.  This event costs extra to get into and there is a parade, fireworks, special characters out for meetngreets AND trick or treating for EVERYONE!  Yes, even adults get to enjoy trick or treating (and you get TONS of candy!)  Here's the video, enjoy!

Tuesday Tip - Rope Drop

Rope drop is when the parks open in the morning.  It may be hard to get up some mornings but if you want the most bang for your buck, this is your best bet.  Some of the parks have opening shows and some of them choose a "family of the day".  The best reason to get up early and head to the parks is LOW crowds.  Low as in walk on almost any ride for that first hour.  You can get a lot done without dealing with the lines and there's just something special about walking into an almost empty park. 

 

This is even better when there's an "Extra Magic Hour" offered that morning.  Extra Magic Hours are only offered to Disney resort guests.  One park each day will offer EMH (Extra Magic Hours) either in the morning (one hour) or at night (up to three hours).  These are great to take advantage of but once the crowds start coming in mid-morning, you may want to park hop to a less crowded park or go back to the resort for an afternoon nap then return to the park for the nighttime festivities. 

 

Here is a picture I took this past October at Magic Kingdom:

 

 

Send me an email for a free, no obligation quote to any of the Disney destinations.

 

Mickey Monday - Yet Another Hidden Mickey at Animal Kingdom

Keep your eye out for this while walking around at Animal Kingdom:

 

 

Friday Food - 'Ohana

Restaurant: 'Ohana
Location: Polynesian Resort
Character Meal? Breakfast is a character meal but dinner is not.
Meals Served: Breakfast & Dinner - both served family style where you sit at your table and they bring you as much as you'd like.
Price Range: Adults $22.36-$39.40 Children $12.77-$19.16 (prices include non-alcoholic drinks & tax)
Dining Credits: 1 Tableservice credit per person
Difficulty to Reserve: Dinner is very popular.  Breakfast may or may not fill up.
Perks? Breakfast offers a picture before the meal with lei's.  At dinner time there are activities for the kids during the meal (limbo, hula dancing, coconut races, etc.)
Why so special?  'Ohana offers a tropical atmosphere that cannot be found anywhere else on property.  The breakfast is known for great character interaction with Lilo, Stitch, Mickey & Pluto.  They also do a parade during breakfast with all of the characters.  Dinner may seem like an adult meal but the kids have plenty to keep them busy.  The food served is some of the best on property. 
Personal Experience: I have been here twice for breakfast and twice for dinner.  Dinner is a must do for us on every trip.  It is one of the best meals on property in my opinion. 
Sample Breakfast Foods: Scrambled Eggs, Fried Potatoes, Sausage, Bacon, Warm Breakfast Breads, Fruit Plate, Juice, Milk & Coffee.
Sample Dinner Foods: Mixed greens with a honey-lime dressing, Pineapple-Coconut Bread, Honey Coriander Chicken Wings, Pork fried dumplings, Skewers prepared over an oak fire: Oak Grilled Chicken, Asian Barbecued Pork Loin, Marinated Sirloin Steak, Spicy Grilled Peel - n - Eat Shrimp, Egg Noodles tossed in a peanut sauce with pineapple, Stir fried vegetables, Dipping Sauces: House Made Peanut Sauce, Chimichurri Sauce, Pineapple Sweet and Sour Sauce, 'Ohana bread pudding served a la mode with Bananas and Caramel Sauce.  The waiters will come around with the skewers of oak grilled meats as many times as you want... it is SO yummy!

Pictures of the restaurant:

 

Breakfast Food:

Characters at Breakfast:

 

Dinner Food:

Hungry yet?  I know I am!  Next time you're in Disney World, be SURE to make a stop at 'Ohana at the Polynesian Resort.  You will NOT be sorry!

Also, keep in mind that I can make all of your dining reservations if you book through me.  My services are completely free!  Just send me an email for a free quote today!

Thirsty Thursday - Avocado Margarita

Margaritas... yum!  One of my favorite alcoholic beverages!  There are so many to choose from in Disney World... it could make your head spin!  If you want the best, go to Epcot and start walking around the World Showcase.  When you come to the Mexico pavilion, go inside and to your right there will be a small bar.  THIS is where the magic happens.  La Cava Del Tequila has so many yummy beverages to choose from, you may have to try a couple (or try a flight!)  On a recent trip, I had the "Avocado Margarita".  This is the description on the menu:
"El Mayor premium silver Tequila, melon liqueur, fresh avocado, agave nectar, and fresh lime juice, served frozen with a hibiscus Himalayan salt rim." 

This mararita is nothing short of amazing.  It was cool and refreshing yet the taste was so distinct, I can't pin it to anything I've ever had before.  If you're a fan of tequila (and who isn't?), this is a MUST stop for you on your tour around the World Showcase.

Watch It Wednesday - 2012 Disney World Vacation - Grandma's 1st Time!

I love making videos of our memories from past trips.  Here is one from our trip in May.  It was my mother in law's first time going to Disney World and her first time on an airplane.  This video shows our first 2 days spent in Disney.  Enjoy!

Tuesday Tip - Fastpasses

The number one complaint from people about visiting a theme park is "waiting in line".  Disney is one step ahead with something they call "Fastpasses".  Fastpasses are FREE and included with everyone's admission.  All you need is a ticket into a park in order to obtain a fastpass.  A fastpass will allow you to enter a separate line that is much smaller than the regular line for that particular attraction.  Not all attractions offer fastpasses but most of the popular rides have them.  Now how do you get one?  Follow these tips:

 

- As you approach the attraction, there will be three lines.  One will be the regular stand by line, one will be the fastpass return line and one will be the fastpass distribution line.  The distribution line is where you will retrieve your fastpass to be used later on.  Before you go up to the machines, you will see a fastpass return time listed above this area.  This is the time that you will get to come back.  If it doesn't work for you, then you don't have to get one.

 

- You take your park ticket and insert it into the machine.  The machine will then spit out a fastpass and then your ticket will come back out as well.  You have to do this for each individual ticket you want to obtain a fastpass for (even children's tickets).  Once you have your fastpasses, go ahead and enjoy the rest of the park until it's time to return to go on this attraction.  Your time to return will be an hour window so you will have plenty of time to get back to that ride.

 

- There are clocks above the fastpass return line so you will be able to tell when your time has come.  show your fastpass to the cast member in the line and proceed through a much shorter, much quicker wait.  You will have to hand over your fastpass eventually throughout the line. 

 

- You can obtain more than one fastpass at a time.  There are two deciding factors in when you can get another fastpass.  It will either be when that fastpass's return time has come into play or 2 hours after you got that fastpass (whichever is first).  The time will be listed on your fastpass as to when you can pick up another one. 

 

So there you have it.  Fastpasses are your FRIEND!  You can get so much more done in a day if you utilize them to your advantage. 

 

Mickey Monday - HIdden Mickey in Animal Kingdom

If you take the train over to Rafiki's Planet Watch while in Disney's Animal Kingdom at Disney World, you might be able to spot this "Hidden Mickey" inside the Conservation Station.

 

Peter Pan Movie Night

Our feature movie night is Peter Pan!

Pirate Ship Pizzas with Pixi Dust were french bread pizzas sprinkled with parmesan cheese.  I also added little flags made out of skewers and red foam.

Fruit Swords were pieces of fruit on skewers.

Pirates teeth is corn.

Treasure Punch with Floating Rubies was 7up with ice cubes made of red fruit juice.

Imaginary Pie was actually pumpkin pie with different colored whipped cream on the top (stole that idea from the movie "Hook").

 

I decorated a corner in our living room to look like Pixie Hollow.  We did makeovers here.  My daughter got a fairy makeover and my son got a pirate makeover.

 

We ate dinner and then there was a knock at the front door...

 

When the kids went outside to see who it was, there was a treasure map left on the porch.  They had to follow the map and find the treausre which was full of gold chocolate coins, coloring books and other goodies.  We also played pin the feather on Peter Pan's hat.  We had a lot of fun with this one!

Enjoy!

Friday Food - Chef Mickey's

 

Restaurant: Chef Mickey's
Location: Contemporary Resort
Character Meal? Yes, Chef Mickey & friends will make the rounds to meet & greet guests dining here
Meals Served: Breakfast Buffet & Dinner Buffet (both are all you can eat)
Price Range: Adults $30.88-$45.79 Children $17.03-$22.36 (prices include non-alcoholic drinks & tax)
Dining Credits: 1 Tableservice credit per person
Difficulty to Reserve: VERY.  The breakfast seems to be more popular than the dinner but both will book up prior to the day of so it's always smart to make reservations as far in advance as possible.
Perks? Tax is included but gratuity is not.
Why so special?  Chef Mickey's is only one of the few places you can meet the Fab Five while dining.  This cuts down on having to wait in line during your park time not to mention the fabulous interaction you get with these characters.  They also do a fun celebration where they wave napkins in the air and dance around.  Kids and adults love it!  Before you enter the restaurant, you will have the opportunity to get your picture taken as a family.  During your meal, someone will come around with your photos and you will have the option to purchase them.  If you have already purchased the "Photopass Plus" option, then you'll receive these photos free of charge (a great reason to look into the Photopass Plus, I highly recommend it!) 
Personal Experience: I have been here for breakfast and we had a fantastic time.  I was celebrating my birthday and they gave us a window seat along with confetti on the table and I got a special cupcake for dessert.  Mickey spent extra time at our table as well.  The food was great.  There is a lot to choose from.  They have fresh fruits, cereals, casseroles, breakfast pizza and of course, Mickey waffles. 
Sample Breakfast Foods: Seasonal Melon and Fresh Fruit Display, Assorted Flavored Yogurts & More, Corn Flakes, Fruit Loops, Rice Krispies, Crunchero's, Hot Oatmeal, Pluto's Cheese Blintz, Scrambled eggs, Three-cheese Omelet, Chef's Daily Omelet, Goofy's Vegetable Lasagna, Mickey Mouse Waffles, Bacon and Cheese Potatoes, Breakfast potatoes, Minnie's Breakfast Pizza, Powder-Sugar Dusted French Toast, Pancakes, Buttermilk Biscuits and Gravy, Sausage Links and Bacon, Tator Crisps, Bagels, Chocolate Croissants, Muffins, Cinnamon Rolls, Rice Krispy Treats, Assorted Danish & More, Bacon & Sausage Links, Breakfast Potatoes, Cheese Potatoes, Assorted Flavored Yogurts & More
Sample Dinner Foods: A soup such as Chicken & Rice and Beef Barley are featured each day, Items like Spiced-rubbed carved beef and Oven-roasted turkey will be featured, Oven Roasted Chicken with Bourbon BBQ Sauce, Mango BBQ Pork Ribs, Baked Salmon Fillet with mango wasabi coulis and rice, Orecchiette Pasta with vegetables, garlic oil, and goat cheese, Parmesan Mashed Potatoes, Mickey Cheese Ravioli and Marinara Sauce, Chorizo Red Beans and white rice, Green Beans with a mushroom cream Sauce, Broccoli with Cheese Sauce, Chef Mickey's Macaroni and Cheese, Goofy's Cheese Pizza, Chicken Breast Tenders, Pluto's Chicken, Rice Krispy Treats, Peach Cobbler, Warm Bread Pudding, Seasonal Melon & Fresh Fruit Display

 

The Buffet:



Food Pictures:

 

Birthday Cupcake:

Characters:

 

Chef Mickey's is fun for all ages, girls and boys alike.  There is plenty of food to choose from and the fun never ends.  Reservations fill up quickly so if you're interested in dining here, please be sure to let me know and I can make all of the arrangements for you.  Send me an email for more info.  Let me know if there are any restaurants you would like to be featured here on "Friday Food" posts!

Thirsty Thursday - Lapu Lapu

First off, I would like to apologize for missing the last two days of posts.  I have fallen ill with this awful flu going around.  Today I'm finally feeling much better so I will be able to bring you this yummy post! 

 

 

 

The Lapu Lapu is becoming more famous everyday it seems.  This drink can be found at Walt Disney World in Florida at the Polynesian Resort.  There are a number of places where you can order this drink.  There is a bar called the "Tambu Lounge".  This bar is located on the second floor of the resort right next to the restaurant called "Ohana".  You can also order it from the "Kona Cafe" which is located on the same floor and I've also heard rumors that it's available at the pool bar.  The drink is called a "Lapu Lapu" and it is served inside a hollowed out full size pineapple.  It's basically a mix of rum, some Bacardi 151, orange juice & sour mix.  Some people think it's very strong and others say it's not strong enough.  The presentation is beautiful and it really makes you feel like you're in paradise.

 

The price for this drink is a bit more than normal.  I believe it's a little over $14 now.  It's a nice treat especially when you're on vacation. 

Mickey Monday - Splash Mountain

Rumor has it that 'Hidden Mickey's' were started as in inside joke of the Disney Imagineers who design and build the magic that is Disney.  They can be found throughout the parks in places you would not expect to see one.  It's a fun way to see who can spot them first.
A Hidden Mickey is an image of Mickey Mouse concealed in the design of a Disney attraction (ride, resort, etc...).  It can be as simple as a big circle with two little ones for ears or an actual image of Mickey.  Each week I will feature a new Mickey to look for when you visit the theme parks.  Feel free to send me any images you have to use as a feature here.

Our first Hidden Mickey is brought to you by the attraction "Splash Mountain" which can be found at Walt Disney World in Florida.  Looking at the mountain, you can see on the right, there's a hidden mickey amongst the rocks!

 

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Weekly Movie Night - Shrek

Welcome to our first featured movie night.  Even though this is primarily a Disney page, we are going to venture into the "darkside" with a non-Disney movie night.  Don't worry, there will be plenty more Disney movie nights to be featured coming up.

Since we're planning on a one day visit to Universal on our upcoming trip, we decided on Shrek for our movie night.  Here was our menu:

Muddy Slurps with Boulders were root beer floats.

Shrek & Cheese were shells & cheese dyed green.

Caterpillar Grub was hotdogs on a skewer.

For dessert (and an activity) we had "Make & Eat Your Own Gingerbread Man".

 

Then the kids made a gingerbread man.

 



 

Then we ate him and we made Shrek ears.

 

 

And some activity pages that I printed out from the internet.

 



 

Hope you enjoyed our very first featured movie night :)  Lots more to come!