tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57171733934357742552024-03-18T21:54:21.191-07:00Disney A La CarteLisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793665349074382474noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5717173393435774255.post-2708201280783528262012-03-13T08:49:00.004-07:002012-08-10T10:21:05.648-07:00Disney Rumors, Speculation & Wishes for 2012 & Beyond<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When you're a company that loves to reinvent yourself, as much as Disney-one thing you can count on is rumors & speculation. And right now-they are a flying. The expansion of Fantasyland in Disney World, the opening of Cars Land in Disney's California Adventure, the on again, off again rumors of Avatar Land-all got me thinking about what changes I would like to see it Disney parks. For me, "my" park is Disney World and with all the room down there-anything is possible. So I guess I am gonna start some rumors of my own. But be warned-very little of this has to do with any sort of facts, inside info or even common sense. It's simply things I have heard and even more so-things I would love to hear are happening.<br />
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<u><b>Magic Kingdom</b></u> <br />
The Fantasyland expansion at the Magic Kingdom, has been the biggest source of speculation of course. First if it would happen, then what the changes would be, and now even the completion and success of the whole thing. Now let's be real-of course they will finish it-but will the finished product have all it was projected to have? The 7 Dwarfs Mine Ride is giving the Disney imagineers a lot of trouble. The design of the mine car, that guests will be riding in, is causing the glitch. Apparently it dumps you out lol. There are rumors that it's completion date is being pushed back-way back, possibly to 2014. And there are even rumors it might be scraped altogether. If that happens-then what will fill that space? Please don't let it be another Meet & Greet. I am torn about this one-while it would be nice to have a slightly more exciting ride added, Fantasyland was always little kids realm. Perhaps the imagineers need to sacrifice on the movement and just make it visually engaging and call it a day?<br />
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Here's what I'd like to see happen in the Magic Kingdom-again, pure wish & whimsy here folks:<br />
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* Tom Sawyers Island revamp. Make it more interactive, just like they are doing with certain lines, like the Haunted Mansion new interactive line.<br />
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* Revamp/re-use of the Liberty Belle River boat. Perhaps something to do with the Princess & the Frog? I would even love to see something along the lines of the old Empress Lily dining location. Anyone remember that?<br />
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* While we're on the topic of Tiana-I'd LOVE to see a Cajun inspired restaurant. One word-beignets.<br />
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* Make use of all that dead space in Tomorrowland. How about a Wall-E themed or Tron inspired ride or experience? And don't forget Monsters Inc. 2 is coming out in 2013.<br />
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* Do SOMETHING with the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse. ANYTHING.<br />
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<u><b>Animal Kingdom</b></u> <br />
Next up we have Animal Kingdom. The announcement of Disney's collaboration with James Cameron, to create an Avatar themed land inside the park, caused some very mixed reviews. Most of the negative ones came from all those people who saw it in 3-D and can still remember the headache they got from it. It was questioned what this new addition would even bring. First thing I thought of, was a ride similar to Soarin' but replaced with those dragon/pterodactyl things. No-not like a pterodactyl carousel, but perhaps a laying down hang glider type experience. 3-D, motion and wind-enough to make you lose your ostrich-I mean turkey leg lunch. They could slap it back there in that train wreck that is Dinoland and blend it quite nicely. <br />
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But alas-the rumors are-it's on the scrap heap. I like to believe, that if it's true, it happened something like this:<br />
James Cameron to Joe Rhodes "This is my idea for Avatar Land."<br />
Joe Rhodes to James Cameron "Your idea sucks James. Not gonna happen. This is MY park sucker."<br />
Yeah, even in my imagination-Joe Rhodes is one bad mama-jama.<br />
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<u><b>Hollywood Studios</b></u><br />
Some interesting rumors here. A new MuppetsVision 3D Movie. There is also a really awesome rumor (IMO) that we will see a Monsters Inc. ride-perhaps a roller coaster even. Fantasmic is being tinkered with. I HIGHLY doubt it will be scrapped or replaced, but you gotta think that it's costing them a small fortune to run it. So I expect that the fire elements will be replaced with lights? Shot in the dark on that one lol.<br />
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Here's what I'd like to see over there:<br />
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* Cars Land. California Adventure has it-we need it.<br />
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* Revamp/Replace the Backlot Tour. I like it, but it needs something. Maybe it's just taking up valuable real estate and needs to go?<br />
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* Bring back the Toy Story Parade. It was fun, it was interactive, it was one of 2 parades I'd actually stand and watch at WDW.<br />
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* I'd love to see something UP inspired in that park. Still working that out in my mind-Disney imagineers, I will get back to you on that.<br />
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* This one is gonna get me flamed but, I think a Roger Rabbit themed dining experience could be TONS of fun. Just think about it for a minute... <br />
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<u><b>Epcot</b></u><br />
Epcot is the park I get most excited about, because they have so much room to play with here. TONS of unused/under-used space, in my opinion. The issue here, seems to be sponsors. They want one for everything it seems, in this park. After much rumor, it has been confirmed that Test Track is getting a face lift. There was a rumor they were getting a new sponsor-but it looks like Chevy is still in there. But an even better rumor-the new design will tie into Tron somehow. There is also a rumor that Soarin' will get an expanded movie, perhaps including some of Disney's other parks in the "visit". Instead of just flying over to California and seeing Disneyland & California Adventure, guests might be treated to views of other Disney parks, such as Disney Tokyo & Disney Paris. Here's my thought on that-know the Star Tours revamp? Where each time you ride, it's a different experience? Yup-you're welcome Disney. No charge for that idea, but I do accept gifts.<br />
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Here's what I would like to see happen in Epcot:<br />
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*ADD MORE COUNTRIES TO WORLD SHOWCASE! I'm a foodie-this should not surprise you.<br />
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So that's it, just my Tuesday morning musings and the fun of stirring the pot a wee bit. But I want to know-what changes, revamps would YOU like to see at Disney World parks?<br />
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<br />Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793665349074382474noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5717173393435774255.post-72137633599674931812012-03-01T08:26:00.001-08:002013-05-29T06:18:24.646-07:002012 DISNEY FREE DINING RELEASED FOR DISNEY VISA CARDHOLDERS!!<br />
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If you're anything like me-you've been waiting & watching for this! I've been saying for weeks we would see a Free Dining Promotion and Disney just proved me right! Disney has released Free Dining for late Summer/Fall for Disney Visa cardholders! Book a Disney vacation package-including tickets & a resort stay, and get the Disney dining plan FREE!!<br />
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The conditions of the promotion are as follows:<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">*Open to Disney Visa cardholders</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*For travel August 25th-September 29th, 2012</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*Book by May 18, 2012</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*Minimum 2 day base ticket purchase required</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*Minimum 3 day resort stay required</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*Not valid on the Fort Wilderness Campsites, Art of Animation & All Stars Family Suites</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*Quick Service Dining Plan with a Value Resort Category Bookings</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*Plus Dining Plan with a Moderate & Deluxe Resort Category Bookings </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">**We fully expect to see this promo released to the general public on Monday, March 5th. So contact me today to plan your vacation!**</span></span></b></div>
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And because I am so excited-I'm offering my own perks. Book your magical Disney vacation through me & receive the following promo gifts:</div>
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All bookings over $2,000 will receive a personalized tote</div>
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All bookings over $3,000 will receive a personalized tote & 2 lanyards</div>
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All bookings over $4,000 will receive a $25 Disney gift card with your package</div>
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(**Larger packages will receive other promo items and gift card amounts-contact me for more info) </div>
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(**Total package price is pre-tax and does not include airfare or the assumed cost of the dining plan)<br />
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Along with these great promo gifts you also get personalized service, itinerary planning, dining reservations made, as well as all other entertainment reservations you might need, and someone there for any questions, concerns or issues you might have before, during and after your trip. There is NO COST for this service & the price you get through me is the same price you get through Disney. Actually it's better-when you factor in the promos gifts :) Contact me today for a quote or to book-but hurry, resort availability is limited as are dates. Once they sell out of the allotted rooms for this promotion-they're gone :(</div>
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Contact me at:</div>
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Lisa@SnapshotGetaways.com</div>
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(845) 283-5099</div>
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Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793665349074382474noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5717173393435774255.post-20860972693396229782012-02-29T13:08:00.000-08:002013-05-29T06:36:53.022-07:00Upgrading Disney's Free Dining Promotion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Being mildly obsessed with eating, I am a big fan of Disneys' Free Dining promotion. I speculate when it will come out, the restrictions, which plan will be offered in each resort category, and so on. Yeah I know I have a problem, but hey-I gotta be me.<br />
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I've been keeping the faith that we will soon see another Free Dining promotion for late Summer/Fall. So I thought I would do a post (in the event a promo does come out) about a little trick we always take advantage of-upgrading the dining plan you are given for free, to a plan you like better. While not free to do this, it can get you out of a plan you don't care for (for me that's the Quick Service Plan) and into a better plan, with more options, for a reduced cost. We almost always pay to upgrade to the Deluxe plan. What can I say-I LOVE this plan. I just can't do burgers & nuggets for an entire vacation. But if the resort you are staying in is only offering the the Quick Service plan, then maybe paying to upgrade to the Plus plan it worth it to you. You get more dining options and the ability to do character meals and can even use 2 sit-down credits toward a Signature dining experience. You can also go up 2 tiers to the Deluxe plan-even if you're staying in a Value resort.<br />
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So how does it exactly work? Real easy:<br />
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1) First you book a Disney package, including room & tickets and you get one of the plans for free. Which plan depends on what Disney is offering at the time, but usually the Values get the Quick Service plan. The Moderates have gotten both the Quick Service & Plus plans, and the Deluxe resorts usually get the Plus plan. Notice my liberal use of the word "usually"-meaning Disney can and has thrown curve balls. But this is usually (there it is again) how it goes.<br />
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2) Then you decide which plan you would like to jump to. Do you want to go Quick Service to Plus? Or Quick Service to Deluxe? Or maybe even Plus to Deluxe? No problem. You just let your agent or Disney (if you're booking direct) know which plan you would like to upgrade to and they will simply add on the DIFFERENCE IN COST from the plan you are getting for free and the plan you wish to upgrade to.<br />
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**Now keep in mind that the cost of the dining plan is a per person, per night charge. So if you're getting the quick service plan for free for 2 people, you would add $37.10 <b>per day</b> ($18.55 each person) to the total cost of your vacation.<br />
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3) Plan your dining! Make your advanced dining reservations 180 days in advance. It wouldn't be good to upgrade to a better plan, only to be locked out of all the places you want to eat.<br />
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It's pretty much that simple! I've listed below the cost to upgrade from the different plans. I also listed the peak and non-peak travel costs & dates. Just don't forget this is per person, per day, when doing the math.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><u><b>The NON-peak Dining plan cost to upgrade:</b></u> </span><br />
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<b>To Upgrade from the Quick Service Plan to Plus Plan</b><br />
$18.01 Adult<br />
$2.84 Child<br />
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<b>The Cost to Upgrade from the Plus Plan to the Deluxe Plan</b><br />
$44.38 Adult<br />
$9.68 Child<br />
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<b>The Cost to Upgrade from the Quick Service Plan to the Deluxe Plan</b><br />
$62.39 Adult<br />
$12.52 Child<br />
<b><u><br />Dates for non peak pricing:</u></b><br />
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1/1/13 - 2/13/13<br />
2/24/13-3/7/13<br />
4/7/13- 5/30/13<br />
8/4/13- 12/12/13<br />
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<b><u>Peak travel time dining plan cost to upgrade:</u></b><br />
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<b>To Upgrade from the Quick Service Plan to the Plus Plan (during peak season)</b> <br />
$19.36 Adult<br />
$43.84 Child<br />
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<b>To Upgrade to from the Plus Plan to the Deluxe Plan</b><br />
$45.33 Adult <br />
$10.75 Child <br />
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<b>To Upgrade from the Quick Service Plan to the Deluxe Plan (during peak season)</b><br />
$64.69 Adult<br />
$14.59 Child<br />
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<u><b>Peak travel dates are:</b></u><br />
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2/14/13 - 2/23/13<br />
3/8/13 - 4/6/13<br />
5/31/13 - 8/3/13<br />
12/13/13-12/31/13<br />
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If you're still unsure or have questions-email me at Lisa@SnapshotGetaways.com and I will be happy to answer any questions you might have :)Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793665349074382474noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5717173393435774255.post-4092378246964670702012-02-21T20:20:00.000-08:002012-02-21T20:20:01.252-08:00Guest Review of Disney's Aulani Resort<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b>My good friend Richard, stops by with his review of his stay at Disney's Aulani resort in beautiful Hawaii. Richard is a "local boy" and a retired Fire Captain, and so his review has some great insight into Disney's attention to detail, safety and the authentic touches used to create Aulani. I am sure you will enjoy it as much as I did! </b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Aulani </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>A Disney Resort & Spa</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> Ko Olina, Hawai’i </b></span><br />
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First of all a little background information, I am a retired Fire Captain, Honolulu Fire Department, HFD’s first full-time Public Information Officer with 27 years of firefighting experience under my “helmet.” Time with my family is always a cherished event because many family occasions were missed while on duty.<br />
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The weekend spent at Aulani was a celebration of my daughter’s, Marissa Soo Faleolo, birthday so it was planned and booked three months in advance. Marissa and her husband, Okesene, their daughter, Leina, and their sons, Oakley and Ailama along with my two sons, Davit and Blaise and I were about to embark on a “staycation” traveling by car about 45 minutes from our respective homes in East Honolulu.<br />
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Disney’s Aulani magic began three weeks prior to our stay with the arrival of the “Aloha Soo Family” to Aulani information booklet. It contained sections to assist you in planning your stay both on and off property. The information and the pictures built up the excitement of the weekend and it eased the check in process by allowing you to check in online up to 10 days prior to arrival. Mahalo for this advance sharing of information. <br />
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The first night at Aulani Hawaii by Disney was of course magical. The grandsons spent the evening at Aunty’s Beachhouse, an on-site day care, that is filled with activities, a caring staff and most importantly FREE. Us adults ate at 'Ama 'Ama's an open air hale overlooking the lagoons. It is situated so that you feel like you are in a grass hale. The food was great & so was the bottle of cabernet. Olelo winery a California’s Central Coast vintner, and then a bottle of Moet Chandon-a birthday celebration that Marissa will always remember. The staff served a Mickey Mouse birthday cake with a lite sparkler and the young Kane (male) strolling musicians sang Happy Birthday plus a song about Papakolea, the area where we reside in Honolulu. After, Marissa fetched my grandsons from Aunty’s Beachhouse and we walked the grounds, then turned in for the night. In the morning we were scheduled for the character brunch at Makahike with 28 family members...BOY THANK GOD FOR PLASTIC...I might go into a second card....NOT!!!
Almost forgot, the room accommodations are like no other - the beds are so comfortable, I passed out typing on the computer. The amenities leave nothing to want. Across the street is an ABC store (a local market chain) which is huge and stocked with everything you forgot to bring. The grounds & buildings are done so that you, your kids, your grandkids-whatever can just stop and enjoy Hawaiian artworks and culture in a Disney setting plus the staff is everywhere but not in your face, if you know what I mean. Local staff and very discreet but attentive...Disney got IT!<br />
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Day 2, I'm in my "papa" role so I get up at 4:30 am (it’s a fire thing), make coffee and venture out to Costco (5 minute drive) for gas and McDonald's for early breakfast to bring back for the family, mind you we have 10:30 am reservations for Makahiki character brunch, but everything is good. Pit stops at Longs for gold fish crackers and blistex (Marissa texts me and asks if I can get these items - do I ever say, No!)
Makahiki (a buffet type restaurant) was great! My daughter was touched that the chef came out and discussed with her on what he would prepare in light of my grandson’s, Oakley, food allergies something that we have never encountered at other resorts. Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy were all dressed in aloha attire posing for pictures & group interaction. 20 + family members attended and a good time was had by all. Back to the room and change for the pool. Okay-it’s the pool that makes this place-water slides, water features, lazy rivers plus the service and here’s a hint-order from the 9 and under menu (the staff considers everyone 9 and under at the pool). It is like appetizers the whole day or a tapa type menu at half the cost of the regular menu. The macaroni and cheese with peas, the mini Angus Burgers with cheese, plus the sweet potato fries are to die for. At the end of the day we lingered around the fire pit (this is a great spot to pick for a landing zone-great access to both the pool and the ocean plus couches, chairs and tables which can be arranged to seat your family members saving the cost of a pool cabana) for story telling-the legend of the Menehune (a tribe of little people that inhabited Hawaii) by Uncle Aito. He is great and he interacts with everyone. The grandsons were in awe of his stories, I just wish I didn’t fall asleep halfway thru his story, but I enjoyed a few wine coolers earlier that day ;) Now what to do for dinner!!!
That evening everyone is doing the interaction thing with IPods or Ipads-something about strolling through the grounds and rocks communicate with you, kind of a Disney “Hide and Seek”, but I stayed in the room watching the news - too high tech for me. We ended up ordering pizza delivery from Papa John Pizza. They delivered to Aulani and it was perfect. Ailama almost fell asleep with a slice of pizza in his mouth lol.<br />
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Day 3, and our last one at Aulani, but I wanted to share and recap a few tips. Even though they do not provide roll away beds-they do provide air mattress beds at no charge, you can order a microwave for the room-no charge. Be sure to walk the pathway connecting all the four lagoons at Ko Olina it is a very comfortable walk with spectacular views of the ocean and the vistas of Honolulu. Take along a camera. And don’t worry-there are well-kept restrooms at each lagoon-what more can a “senior” need during a walk? When you get to the pool even though there are many areas to sit, I recommend the area below 'Ama 'Ama near the fire pit it is less crowded plus there are full-on couches and chairs with cushions and coffee tables in addition to the lounge chairs which you can rearrange plus at that level you can go to the ocean or the pool as well as see the ocean and the pool. Again, remember order from the "9 and under" portion of the menu. It’s just like a tapas menu. And finally, the most reasonable wine is Olelo (not Hawaiian) but from Central Coast California-the cab had a really refined but a slight fruity taste.
Finally one last comment, with 30+ years in the safety field, it is my opinion that Aulani places safety first and its shows. The pool is the main feature of this resort and there must be over 20 lifeguards standing-not sitting-and walking the whole time. They each have floats and water proof walkie-talkies plus there are supervisors who work it as a team. Obviously they work well together and communicate constantly. But parents, remember, your job is still to watch your kids at all times. I saw more than one occasion when the parent obviously lost track of their kids and were frantic until they found them.<br />
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My final word is we love Aulani and the Soos and the Faleolos will definitely be back!!!<br />
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Being a New Yorker, I am a BIG Giants Fan and super excited about their Superbowl win. In honor of their win & Eli's visit to Disney today, I am running a giveaway. There are 3 great prizes to choose from and lots of ways to enter! Have fun & GOOD LUCK!!</b>
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<noscript><a href="http://rafl.es/enable-js">You need javascript enabled to see this giveaway</a>.</noscript>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793665349074382474noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5717173393435774255.post-64760747366753918902012-02-03T07:52:00.000-08:002012-02-03T07:52:08.963-08:00Mini Food Review: Artists Point House-made Yukon Gold Potato Gnocchi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTXwOBEj7S2tiedtYAph2FHF-3VOrqfBNvjus1v0-Ly3xyTpbmWVVgGVZxPu7wWY3JMpV0SpQHJpwI4rm-xdoEBG07-PQ4n2B8xlYphakY51cXhG7pPYsQG84zpIPbiBLKq5FAfjebdw/s1600/Disney+AEP+folder+072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTXwOBEj7S2tiedtYAph2FHF-3VOrqfBNvjus1v0-Ly3xyTpbmWVVgGVZxPu7wWY3JMpV0SpQHJpwI4rm-xdoEBG07-PQ4n2B8xlYphakY51cXhG7pPYsQG84zpIPbiBLKq5FAfjebdw/s320/Disney+AEP+folder+072.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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For my last visit to Artists Point, I made a conscious effort (EFFORT) to go meatless. I can often be found ordering the largest piece of roast beast a restaurant has to offer-raging carnivore here folks. But for this meal I wanted to try some of the vegetarian options that were available (note: when I say vegetarian, I do not mean vegan-as this dish has dairy.). My entree choice was the House-made Yukon Gold Potato Gnocchi. Let me start by saying there are a few things in this world that I love, but rarely get because it's a tricky dish to prepare and commercial preparation can usually do more harm than good. Gnocchi is one of them. While in theory gnocchi is easy enough-execution is another story. What I am looking for is a light, fluffy, tender (NOT chewy) dumpling that doesn't hit my stomach like a lead pellet. Artists Point gnocchi brings it's A game. Prepared & cooked to perfection, these little gems were flavorful too. Perfect amount of salt & pepper, a light potato flavor more still maintaining the traditional dumpling taste gnocchi should have. As further proof of their deliciousness (and the chef knowing they hit a home run) the sauce is a very light butter sauce. Almost more of a glazing then a full on sauce. This dish is enhanced by a selection of fresh, tender vegetables. English peas, chanterelle mushrooms, heirloom carrots & sweet corn nage** are plentiful in this dish and you really need to get a let a bit of each in each bite.There are also little globs of fresh ricotta throughout this dish, adding a bit of tangy dairy to the plate. Personally I could have done without it, or would have preferred it was seasoned, but I am not a big fan of naked ricotta. The issue is seasoned ricotta would have thrown the balance of the flavors off, so next time I will probably just request it be left out of the dish. There is a slight sweetness to this dish from the carrots, corn & English peas and what I believe is the use of sweet cream butter in the sauce. The mushrooms provide a wonderful earthiness, but being a milder mushroom-it's not overbearing. This dish proves that vegetarian can be nothing short of amazing. And if you're not ready to give up meat entirely, I would suggest sharing this meal as a pasta or even appetizer course, but do give it a chance-you will be pleasantly surprised.<br />
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**Sweet corn nage is a fancy word for a method of preparation. Basically it means that the corn was prepared in a broth most likely with shallots, butter & wine (usually white). The broth & corn are then added to a dish.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793665349074382474noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5717173393435774255.post-74156771409275187332012-02-02T14:27:00.000-08:002012-02-03T13:12:00.683-08:00Mini Food Review: Artists Points' Smokey Portobello Soup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ever think about something and just the memory of it makes you smile? Yeah-this soup has me sitting here smiling just remembering how off-the-charts good it is. Let me start by saying that although you're are going to not believe me-no pork is used in this dish. There is a disagreement as to whether this soup is a true vegan option or not. I was told that it is a true vegetarian dish, others have been told chicken stock is used in the preparation. This is actually often the case with a lot of "vegetarian" soups. If you are a vegan, I would recommend speaking with the chef, simply because menus & preparations change and the truly vegan version of this soup could be the most recent version. But with this soup the bacon-like flavor comes entirely from the smoking of the portobello mushrooms used in the soup. The nice meaty, earthiness of the portobellos-both smoked and fresh, is tamed by silky heavy cream. Onions lend a full flavor & sweetness to the dish and the whole thing is kept from going flabby by the addition of white wine. I am guessing it's Chardonnay-or at least that's what I would use, because the oakiness of Chardonnay would blend nicely. Topped with roasted shitake mushrooms, which give the soup a nice bit of chewy texture and chive oil and creme fraiche that cut through the very mild heaviness of the soup without over-powering it. This soup it good on every level. It is filling without making you sluggish, like many cream soups do. It is flavorful without being salty or too smokey. And it will leave you contemplating ordering another bowl. Seriously contemplating.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793665349074382474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5717173393435774255.post-40254401704229648132012-02-02T13:52:00.000-08:002012-02-02T13:52:02.978-08:00Restaurant Review: Artists Point<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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Getting back into the swing of things with a review of Artists Point in the Wilderness Lodge Resort. I approached this meal a bit different then I normally would. In a restaurant that offers a wide variety of treats for the carnivore in you-I decided to give meatless a try. While not pure vegan-my dining choices were void of meat with the exception of meat stocks used. And you know what? It was amazing!<br />
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<b><u>Brief Description:</u></b> Artists Points' cuisine is inspired by the Pacific Northwest with heavy emphasis on hearty meats, game & seafood. Think salmon, halibut, buffalo, & pork. Also root vegetables, mushrooms and hearty, homey desserts. Many of the dishes are the kinds you would expect from a rugged lodge-IF every lodge had a 5 star restaurant in it lol.<br />
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<u><b>Decor:</b></u> In keeping with the atmosphere of the Wilderness Lodge, Artists Point is designed with warm wood furniture, exposed wood rafter beams & pillars, wrought iron fixtures with alabaster shades and huge murals depicting rugged outdoor scenes. Huge windows surround you, giving you a view to the outside pool area, geyser and surrounding woods & lake. While you might think it would lack in refinement & a cozy feel-it's actually the opposite. The atmosphere is relaxed and inviting and kind of makes you wish you were wearing your favorite comfy sweater. The noise level is low, which has been helped even more by the addition of carpeting, and the lighting is ample without being overbearing. But something that I wanted to mention about AP-while it is beautifully decorated-it's not overbearing and distracting. I say this because I think that it is a great option for kids. It's casual atmosphere and low-key theme seems great for keeping kids at ease and not over-stimulated. Of course that can have a reverse effect on kids if they are bored by it-but overall, I think it's a great option for families.<br />
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<u><b>Service:</b></u> I have nothing but praise for the service at Artists Point. I have a special mention for my server, Peter, who is a professional in the truest sense of the word. His extensive knowledge of the menu & wines, his timing and intuition and his personality were in one word-perfection. Nothing pleases me more than getting a good server and my experience was made better ten-fold because of Peter. I also found it funny that toward the end of the meal, as I took out my notebook to record my impressions for later, he was completely unfazed lol. Although Peter was an extra special treat, I have never had anything less then wonderful service from any member of the Artists Point staff. I was warmly greeted and shown to my table by a lovely hostess who chatted with me a bit. I also received attention from 2 managers on duty, inquiring about my meal and asking if I needed anything. This has been my experience both alone & when dining with my family.<br />
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<b><u>Menu Selections/Approachability:</u></b> As I stated before-if you're an avid carnivore, Artists Point is a little slice of heaven for you. But that doesn't mean vegetarians should steer clear. As I also said, earlier in my review, I purposely choose meatless options for this visit. I've been numerous times to AP and being a raging carnivore, have enjoyed many of the steaks, pork, & game meats offered. That's why, honestly, I did not expect to enjoy my main dish of gnocchi as much as I did. But I will get into that in the next part of the review. The menu has a wonderful selection of seriously interesting appetizers & salads. They are ingredients you will recognize, but ingeniously prepared like the Smokey Portobello Soup, or the "BLT" salad. The entrees section has a nice representation of meats such as chicken and steaks & seafood, including the Cedar Plank Roasted Wild King Salmon-their signature dish. Accompaniments are also familiar but approachable like the the sweet corn pudding. Dessert again gives us a signature dish AP is famous for-the Artists Point Cobbler. While the other options are always good-this one is not to be missed. It is seriously smile inducing and gives you a major case of the happy food dance. Overall I feel this menu has something for everyone and isn't too scary to the average diner, yet still manages to delight those with a refined palette as well. I think that anyone can find something to please them at Artists Point.<br />
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<b><u>Execution/Food Quality:</u></b> 3 words-wow, wow, wow. Where do I even begin? Fresh goes without saying but when you're looking for the river they pulled that salmon out of-THAT'S fresh. The menu just screams of how much care & attention is used in picking out the ingredients for the dishes. Not just in the uniqueness, but also in how they go so well together. I have this image in my mind of the chefs at AP going out each morning and hand picking everything down to the last cherry tomato. And when they get back-that's when the real magic begins. The cedar plank salmon I mentioned earlier, well I'm not sure I can even convey how masterfully this is done. AND TO ORDER! My entree, the house-made gnocchi were utterly perfect. And gnocchi is one of those things where a lot can go wrong. They were light and fluffy, yet tender and so stinking flavorful! Their flavor was such that they could have stood on their own as the meal. And finally dessert, the Artists Point Cobbler was another dish that was prepared to order. Served warm with fresh berries & house-made sorbet was everything that is right about dessert. From beginning to end, my meal at Artists Point was nothing short of perfection. And that is the standard, again & again.<br />
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<b><u>Value:</u></b> With the signature restaurants of Disney, value can be subjective. I am one of those people who will pay through the nose for a good meal-but I hold you to that. I want to leave on a major food high and in the end-it's the food that puts me there. Of course service and decor play a big part, but food is the key. Having said that-you get every bit of your money's worth at Artists Point. Top notch service, lovely atmosphere and fantastic food back up the menu prices. Average appetizers price of $13, an average entree price of $34 and an average dessert price of $10, Artists Point is on par with other WDW dining locations, if not a little more reasonable. <br />
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<u><b>Transportation Rating: 3</b></u> Getting to Artists Point isn't tricky, but it can eat up some time. Take a resort bus to the Magic Kingdom (or monorail/boats if you're staying at a monorail resort) and then take the boat over to the Wilderness Lodge. Look for the dock specifically marked Wilderness Lodge. Once you dock walk to the resort, passing the pool and depending on which entrance you use, you will probably walk right past it as you enter the main hall of WL. If not it is located toward the back of the great hall diagonally across from the store. To return simply take the boat or a resort bus back to the Magic Kingdom and grab a bus to your resort from their.<br />
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My final word on Artists Point is, although it often gets overlooked, it is well worth the money & time to check it out. It offers something or every palette and delivers an unforgettable dining experience. If you've not made your way to Artists Point-make that reservation. I think you will be very pleasantly surprised.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793665349074382474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5717173393435774255.post-73426481254949337962012-02-01T11:43:00.000-08:002012-02-01T11:43:21.762-08:00Updates to the 2012 Disney Dining Plan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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***Doing a quick supplemental post on the changes/updates to the 2012 Disney Dining Plan. I am also going to revise my original posts on the 2011 plan to reflect the changes and make that a resource post.<br />
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2012 brings a few changes to the Disney Dining Plan, some good some not-so-much. Some changes were started in 2011, like the new reservation process of taking deposits for many of the more popular dining locations. From what I've seen, both as a repeat Disney guest & as a travel agent making dining reservations for my guests, it has been a positive change. Taking a credit card, to ensure attendance or timely cancellations, has immensely helped free up many hard to get locations. There is also the addition of many new restaurants and lounges to the dining plan, which is helping ease up the problem of booked out restaurants. So let's go through the changes & additions by plan.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Quick Service Dining Plan</b></u></span> <br />
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*This change I do not like at all. The 2011 Quick service dining plan consisted of (2) quick service credits, (2) snack credits, per person, per day & (1) refillable resort mug per person. 2012 sees us losing (1) snack credit. Although the Quick Service Dining plan was the only one of Disney's dining plans not to increase in price, the loss of the snack credit makes it hard to get value out of it. That extra snack credit was great to use on breakfast items such as bagels, muffins, fruit & cereal, leaving you with the other credit for snacks. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Plus Dining Plan</b></u></span> <br />
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*The next plan up-the Plus Plan sees some good & bad changes. Let's start with the inevitable bad-the price went up. Such is life I guess, but $5.55 for the adult plans & $1 for the kids plans are a bit hard to swallow. That was food humor. Ok it was bad food humor but it's Wednesday-cut me some slack. The good change is you now get the refillable resort mug for everyone in your traveling party. To be honest-I never got why this wasn't ALWAYS the case. I guess the $5-$6 dollar a day difference in the dining plan cost is going to cover all that soda & coffee that will be flowing with all those extra mugs in circulation lol.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Deluxe Dining Plan</u></b></span> <br />
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*Lastly we have the Deluxe Plan. What you get with this plan stays the same-but again we see a nice price jump. And by nice, I mean NOT nice. $6.53 for the adult plans & $1.80 jump for the kids plans. We're also seeing seasonal pricing as well with the Deluxe plan, which we had not seen before. During these times you will see the plan jump by over $10 for adults & $3.80 for the kids. OUCH!! Remember-these are per person, per day jumps.<br />
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So let's talk about this a bit. We are seeing some less than favorable changes being made to the dining plans-but does that mean we will be seeing more dining discounts & codes? Is this a for Disney to cover the costs of such promotions? Or is this just Disney reacting to the same budget pinch we are all seeing after a trip to the grocery store? I think it's a combination of both.I think that Disney saw a rise in food prices & the costs associated in transportation, but I also think that promos & discounts have a lot to do with the new changes.<br />
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Which brings me to the last of the overall changes to the dining plans. The addition of new restaurant & dining options. Here is a list of the new additions:<br />
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<u><b>Counter Service Additions:</b></u><br />
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<u>Magic Kingdom</u><br />
Diamond Horseshoe<br />
Friar's Nook<br />
Golden Oak Outpost<br />
Tortuga Tavern (formerly El Pirata y El Perico)<br />
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<u>Epcot</u><br />
Katsura Grill (formerly Yakitori House)<br />
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<u>Animal Kingdom</u><br />
Beastly Kiosk<br />
Mr. Kamal's<br />
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<u>Hollywood Studios</u><br />
Min & Bill's Dockside Diner<br />
<br />
<u>Blizzard Beach</u><br />
<u> </u>Cooling Station<u></u><br />
<u><br />
</u><br />
<u>Typhoon Lagoon</u><br />
Lowtide Lou's<br />
Snack Shack<br />
Surf Doggies<br />
<br />
<u>Downtown</u><br />
Bongo's Cuban Cafe Sandwich Window<br />
Marketplace Snacks<br />
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<u>Resorts</u><br />
Landscapes Cafe (Art of Animation)<br />
Paddock Grill (Saratoga Springs)<br />
Trails End Takeaway (Fort Wilderness/Campground)<br />
Turtle Shack (Old Key West)<br />
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<u><b>Sit Down Service Additions:</b></u><br />
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<u>Animal Kingdom</u><br />
Rainforest Cafe<br />
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<u>Downtown</u><br />
Bongos Cuban Cafe<br />
Crossroads at House of Blues<br />
Paradiso 37<br />
Portobellos<br />
Rainforest Cafe<br />
T-Rex Cafe<br />
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<b><u>Signature Dining Additions:</u></b><br />
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<u>Epcot</u><br />
Bistro de Paris (yay!!)<br />
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<u>Downtown</u><br />
Fulton's Crab House<br />
Wolfgang Puck Dining Room Upstairs (yay again!!)<br />
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I am also getting reports that many of the resort lounges have also been added as dining locations. They are being charged as a Quick Service meal credit on the dining plan. They include a non-alcoholic beverage, an entree (which will most likely consists of an appetizer) and a dessert-no info on what that entails.<br />
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So there it is, the good, the bad & the new of the 2012 Disney Dining Plans. While I still think there's value to be found, you are going to have to look a little harder & get a bit more creative to get the most out of your plan.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793665349074382474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5717173393435774255.post-36493276721432466762012-01-26T20:02:00.001-08:002012-01-27T11:02:04.889-08:00Disney Dining for Fun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2zK3BJIHGFRvWjhIAsP5xrgGx3yCqOoSBjZHAEZkWSs1pxM3GwL2VITepLt-nct_XCACCqEIhA75AcmGs-BOGkmxognUxnm84hKM_poYgoT1KYPJdpcMdFF4tn8v9iAyn7aoH2ewBD3Q/s1600/Dinner+and+a+show.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2zK3BJIHGFRvWjhIAsP5xrgGx3yCqOoSBjZHAEZkWSs1pxM3GwL2VITepLt-nct_XCACCqEIhA75AcmGs-BOGkmxognUxnm84hKM_poYgoT1KYPJdpcMdFF4tn8v9iAyn7aoH2ewBD3Q/s1600/Dinner+and+a+show.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I often find myself in the middle of the same conversation about Disney restaurants. Both clients & friends will often ask my opinion on certain Disney restaurants and it can be tricky to give an honest opinion without stepping on anybodies toes. Because like everything in life-one man's truffle is another man's fungi. By that I mean, what I might find marvelous-another person might have little more than a crinkled nose & funny face for. So it is important to explain the why you like or dislike something. I try to always, in all my reviews, go beyond the vague territory of "it's so good" or "it was terrible!". I try to give as many descriptions as possible, such as "had a robust cilantro flavor", so you can then take that information and apply it to your own personal taste palette & dining style.<br />
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This brings me to the meat of my post-style. I've come to the conclusion that in giving descriptions & reviews of various Disney World restaurants, I have to start acknowledging a very unique style of restaurants at Disney. Experience dining locations. By that I mean restaurants where it becomes less about the actual food & more about the dining experience. Not to say that these locations can't offer some really great dining options, but they can often simply be a place you go to experience characters, atmosphere or talented staff, rather than amazing food. Some Disney restaurants are designed to delight & entertain your taste buds-and some can only accomplish providing adequate (and sometimes not even that) food to fill the time in between the scheduled entertainment.<br />
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Does this make them bad? Not necessarily. Should you skip them when making your Advance Dinner Reservations? Not at all. But it does do you good to not set your expectations for the food too high. You go because it's one of those places you don't want to miss the experience, but once you get past that initiation, you might never find your taste buds leading you back. <br />
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So for these restaurants I will be approaching the reviews slightly different than the style I use for Signatures. I will still talk about the decor, menu, and value. Also I will still give the best mode of transportation & travel path and do mini food reviews of individual dishes. But instead of reviewing the service, I will replace that with entertainment factor and describe what kind of entertainment you can expect when you dine there. Hopefully this will help give a better idea of what to expect from experience based restaurants.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793665349074382474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5717173393435774255.post-67332511566932634002012-01-26T11:44:00.000-08:002012-01-26T11:44:32.703-08:00Dreaming of Disney Free Dining in 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVlXCQcmwkHFHpjhIWYsi-qyUdTE52Kq7mDapleNmuFbd5Up3mUk2UFgXl3WAYAleKere0UgIbUJwaCXbQb2NJZUH-fmd3HkME7hLLccRSGG4RY8OuEtVHQCxqRFsGLKOLGVGF6qToAM/s1600/Donald+Free+Dining.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVlXCQcmwkHFHpjhIWYsi-qyUdTE52Kq7mDapleNmuFbd5Up3mUk2UFgXl3WAYAleKere0UgIbUJwaCXbQb2NJZUH-fmd3HkME7hLLccRSGG4RY8OuEtVHQCxqRFsGLKOLGVGF6qToAM/s320/Donald+Free+Dining.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So I'm sitting here in dreary, cold New York watching it snizzle (snow+drizzle) and thinking that I really need to figure out when we're going to Disney next. This got me thinking about the different times we like to travel. Usually we plan travel in the Spring & Fall and have been fortunate enough to have taken advantage of Disney's Free Dining Promotions in the past. And that was it-my mind was sent off racing. I began to muse about this year and when and IF Disney will release a general public code for Free Dining in 2012. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now let me stop right here and say in big letters-THIS IS PURE SPECULATION ON MY PART. This is in no way confirmation that Free Dining is coming. This is merely my own personal musings on the subject. I could be WAY off base. And being a travel agent in no way earns me any inside information from Disney-lol I wish! So with that said, let's talk about some Free Dining predictions.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Let's start with do I think we will see Free Dining released for dates beyond the current promotion that ended back in December? Yes, I think we will. Why? Well here's my highly unscientific reasons for making that statement:</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">1) There have already been reports of Free Dining PIN codes for certain date starting in March and extending into June. I always take this as a good sign. While it doesn't mean that a general public code is on the horizon, it makes me hopeful.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">2) Our friends in the UK have been given the offer. For<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #111111; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: small;">select dates in Jan-Feb, May-Jun, Aug-Nov 2012. Usually when our friends across the pond get a deal, we Yanks get thrown a bone too.</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #111111; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #111111; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">3) The Bounceback offer flyers are in the rooms & it seems the dates will be mid-August to the end of September. Always a good sign too.</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">4) And lastly, this might sound a bit odd, but I think that the new Art of Animation suites are part of it. They are being categorized as "Value" resorts. But they can be a bit pricey, depending on the stay. In my mind, it makes a lot of sense to list those suites as Values so that when Free Dining is released, Disney only has to give the Quick Service Dining Plan verses the Plus plan, per person. I know-it's a stretch, but in the world of Disney it makes sense. One thing I know about Disney is that Disney has a reason for everything they do.It just makes sense to offer a lower cost dining plan for rooms that will hold more guests. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now as to when-that's tricky. Used to be late March, all of us Free Dining hopefuls would start watching the message boards for some word that Free Dining would be released in early April for travel in the "low season" of late August into early October, when many kids are back in school. Then Disney started changing things up. Extending Free Dining & releasing dates that extend throughout the year. Also where it used to be, one Free Dining promo would pretty much end before they released another one, they've changed that too. SO when? My guess is soon. I would not be at all surprised if we saw discounts released as early as February-March. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So there it is-my HIGHLY speculative, extremely self-indulgent and influenced guess on Free Dining. So who's with me? Are you dreaming of happily making those Advance Dining Reservations too? Maybe we can start a support group ;)</div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793665349074382474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5717173393435774255.post-61493733488555591622011-11-04T11:34:00.000-07:002011-11-04T11:35:29.168-07:00Fruity Drink Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_d29SMmdHEliT167es2SoL1NB8udwAX1nTjy0i8vJek64ssskrQZ7TZSvWdgPGFIAyB6PSYe6pBE7TKom09Pj06NIF0x8cjbqEzvFTIQKVFFNB9o4pBorLuH2iEHz_-TVF6iGhY-Chg/s1600/Singapore+Sling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_d29SMmdHEliT167es2SoL1NB8udwAX1nTjy0i8vJek64ssskrQZ7TZSvWdgPGFIAyB6PSYe6pBE7TKom09Pj06NIF0x8cjbqEzvFTIQKVFFNB9o4pBorLuH2iEHz_-TVF6iGhY-Chg/s1600/Singapore+Sling.jpg" /></strong></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong></strong></div><br />
<strong>Today's drink comes from the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival 2012 cook book This year the cook book included some great drink recipes & I plan to post a few from it. The cocktail I choose is the Singapore Sling. This classic has been slowly making a come back, along with other classics like the Side Car & Ciapirinha. Although some of these drinks a little before my time, it's great to see Disney paying homage to some of these timeless concoctions :)</strong><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><u><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Disney's Singapore Sling </span></strong></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><strong><span style="font-size: large;">from the </span></strong></u><u><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Epcot International Food & Wine Festival</span></strong></u></div><br />
<strong>1 1/2 Ounces Hendrick's Gin</strong><br />
<strong>1 Ounce Cherry Bandy </strong><br />
<strong>1 Ounce Pineapple Juice</strong><br />
<strong>1 Teaspoon Grenadine</strong><br />
<strong>Splash Club Soda</strong><br />
<strong>Pineapple & Maraschino Cherry for garnish</strong><br />
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<strong>1) Pour Hendrick's, cherry brandy, pineapple juice & grenadine into a shaker filled with ice & shake vigorously for 30 seconds.</strong><br />
<strong>2) Pour into tall glass and top with soda water and garnish with cherry & pineapple. </strong><br />
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<strong>*Note: When ever I make a Singapore Sling, I always use sour mix. So if you like, you can add about 1 ounce of sour mix to cut the sweetness a bit :)</strong><br />
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<strong>Cheers!</strong><br />
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<span data-jsid="text"><strong>****Now for the disclaimer: These recipes DO contain alcohol and should only be consumed by persons of legal drinking age. Please drink responsibly & don't drink and drive. Lisa Ruiz & Disney A La Carte are not responsible for any damage to person(s<span class="text_exposed_show">) or property, or loss of life that result from over consumption or abuse of these recipes. Got it? Not for kids, don't drink & drive, and be responsible :)</span></strong></span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793665349074382474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5717173393435774255.post-1778601833730262852011-10-31T08:38:00.000-07:002011-10-31T08:38:08.681-07:00Happy Halloween from Disney A La Carte!!A complete guilty pleasure post here. Big on pictures, low on words. Here it is, a selection of pictures I took from Hallowishes Fireworks show at Walt Disney World :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> My favorite part of this-if you look at the time stamps (yes, I know-I'm lame) you can see in a matter of just 4 minutes, how many changes you see the Cinderella's Castle go through :) If you've never been to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, and you're planning a trip during the Fall season, I can tell you it is a great time and well worth the money. We have always had a great time :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793665349074382474noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5717173393435774255.post-84914300480286572922011-10-28T18:42:00.000-07:002011-10-30T09:36:48.414-07:00A Quick Picture Tour of the Walt Disney Suite on the Disney DreamHere are a few pictures of the Walt Disney Suite on the Disney Dream. Every category of cabins, on the Dream are way above industry standards, but as expected, Walt's Suite is just amazing. Classic styling, imaginative touches and tons of space to spread out in complete luxury, make this an unforgettable experience. I hope you enjoy a quick peek at the Walt Disney Suite on the Disney Dream :)<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"> <u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Walt Disney Suite on the Disney Dream:</span></u></div><div style="text-align: left;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxpJumEMM7dlS6Wr1auU_3sItYlsUuSIMBhcHD1yXet2m3fr9dJDraFhv9PtDUM221mQMWFH-56C4qqHdi1O9Knd8XTpGcc5tD13hBPs-vMvnMYl1EX5foSxTkFhmFJiCVbSLbVKUOudc/s1600/AEP+349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxpJumEMM7dlS6Wr1auU_3sItYlsUuSIMBhcHD1yXet2m3fr9dJDraFhv9PtDUM221mQMWFH-56C4qqHdi1O9Knd8XTpGcc5tD13hBPs-vMvnMYl1EX5foSxTkFhmFJiCVbSLbVKUOudc/s320/AEP+349.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>One the sleeping areas. Notice the fiber optic "stars" in the ceiling about the bed. There were also Murphy beds as well for additional sleeping that stored away during the day :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgW5kE-BEWEEev28TJe98VZADP8iV5AR45yxOpzD7VjxNh9PSDr1kXVlP9zxCy5zfxAHinHG8NrGq9ZGQFYSDDiq5eB9uevzGB4lWcR-I_R142WZGcCXVZAm-GkLvvKP3dyubfWtMMYnU/s1600/AEP+348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgW5kE-BEWEEev28TJe98VZADP8iV5AR45yxOpzD7VjxNh9PSDr1kXVlP9zxCy5zfxAHinHG8NrGq9ZGQFYSDDiq5eB9uevzGB4lWcR-I_R142WZGcCXVZAm-GkLvvKP3dyubfWtMMYnU/s320/AEP+348.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Seating for 8 at the dining room table. The windows behind the table leads to your own private patio with personal hot tub and privacy wall.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MK7LvVxGAuvIyGyVxKH15YHQeAts8ZSGF5Oza11Lrq5igcMkvOOk8OSUkOAikwDbRb1ozIWmZuBV-DCI0mflKhDJet6VOpWaQxtPuoBvqU0z3DNhMG_qg2mb5veqm_CrR9QhDjOq36Q/s1600/AEP+347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MK7LvVxGAuvIyGyVxKH15YHQeAts8ZSGF5Oza11Lrq5igcMkvOOk8OSUkOAikwDbRb1ozIWmZuBV-DCI0mflKhDJet6VOpWaQxtPuoBvqU0z3DNhMG_qg2mb5veqm_CrR9QhDjOq36Q/s320/AEP+347.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> The living room area. Flat screen TV, comfy seating, and all decorated in a classic style that matches the ships homage to the luxury liners of the past. I swear you totally expect to see Walt walk though. For some reason it almost reminds me of Walt's office.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gle349xd505oUsJr5zthARgWrBuU-Dch4cGlM8NvsTm3P8i3CJGnJtYhJIjI1LuLaaigaqUMXMDlP-i4ZRCOjYZEp73RvwT1IoilAyDhumZU4loioQyEH0jgY8lPEiHKO6Pq7LtgCa4/s1600/AEP+350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gle349xd505oUsJr5zthARgWrBuU-Dch4cGlM8NvsTm3P8i3CJGnJtYhJIjI1LuLaaigaqUMXMDlP-i4ZRCOjYZEp73RvwT1IoilAyDhumZU4loioQyEH0jgY8lPEiHKO6Pq7LtgCa4/s320/AEP+350.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This is really clever. One way mirrors provide you with a gorgeous view, while providing privacy. You can see out-but no one can see in!<br />
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I wish I had more than a few quick minutes to really take my time and take more & better pictures, but I was still thrilled to get these shots. This is of course an expensive option when cruising on the Disney Dream, but if it is within your budget, I highly recommend the Walt Disney Suite. It is an experience you will never forget.<br />
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I hope you enjoyed!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793665349074382474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5717173393435774255.post-14807582593360239992011-10-28T13:24:00.000-07:002011-10-28T13:24:54.849-07:00Fruity Drink Fridays<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGjJwUyCpXs1hIUipBCq85lXgsKEB3IAvQrrp-CJwA-6M8jwUazA_2OcWei0po_cZuthTYkscRZSFrg9m6qfuxFum2nsTQJSLS7ymgIP-ydvWjtW0kTDj0pcEvCOCOFa6I6u5c1leNfU/s1600/Kentucky+Peach.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGjJwUyCpXs1hIUipBCq85lXgsKEB3IAvQrrp-CJwA-6M8jwUazA_2OcWei0po_cZuthTYkscRZSFrg9m6qfuxFum2nsTQJSLS7ymgIP-ydvWjtW0kTDj0pcEvCOCOFa6I6u5c1leNfU/s1600/Kentucky+Peach.png" /></b></a></div><b><br />
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<b>With winter creeping up on us poor souls up North, I decided to to a drink that makes me think of warm afternoons, under a shady tree, sipping a cool drink. This weeks fruity drink is Disney's Kentucky Peach cocktail.</b><br />
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<b>Next week I'll get back to cool weather cocktails ;)</b><br />
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<u><b>Kentucky Peach</b></u><br />
<b>1 1/2 Parts Red Stag Cherry Infused Bourbon</b><br />
<b>1/2 Parts Peachtree Schnapps</b><br />
<b>2 Parts Sweet & Sour Mix ( Homemade or pre-made)</b><br />
<b>1 Part Sprite (or any other lemon-lime soda you prefer)</b><br />
<b>Mint leaves & cherries to garnish</b><br />
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<b>Pour all ingredients over ice, stir gently (never shake anything with a carbonated beverage) and garnish with mint & cherries. Then pretend it's still Summer. Or even better-book a trip to Disney and then you won't have to pretend ;)</b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #545454; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><b></b></span><br />
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-581127105592669525" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 466px;"><b><span data-jsid="text">****Now for the disclaimer: These recipes DO contain alcohol and should only be consumed by persons of legal drinking age. Please drink responsibly & don't drink and drive. Lisa Ruiz & Disney A La Carte are not responsible for any damage to person(s<span class="text_exposed_show">) or property, or loss of life that result from over consumption or abuse of these recipes. Got it? Not for kids, don't drink & drive, and be responsible :)</span></span><div style="clear: both;"></div></b></div><div class="post-footer" style="background-color: #ebebeb; border-bottom-color: rgb(235, 235, 235); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #545454; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: -2px; margin-right: -2px; margin-top: 20px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px;"></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793665349074382474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5717173393435774255.post-18445939085091552602011-10-27T06:57:00.000-07:002013-05-29T06:42:54.988-07:00Free Dining Booking Window Extended!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDjFXP7IT_Ksvo8PCtLs5GqoV2gADdwWz7lDbw5dG9vm1SF1YUV5b0azL_5n0AC9DgLZAKb0Ht2PfSihCtZX-GHFJC05ODGaTMu9QNm8GMK8M2ZrCMjRu023d3GGyhLxGuCfj8SZhXmto/s1600/AEP+824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDjFXP7IT_Ksvo8PCtLs5GqoV2gADdwWz7lDbw5dG9vm1SF1YUV5b0azL_5n0AC9DgLZAKb0Ht2PfSihCtZX-GHFJC05ODGaTMu9QNm8GMK8M2ZrCMjRu023d3GGyhLxGuCfj8SZhXmto/s320/AEP+824.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Disney has given us an early Christmas gift-they extended the booking window until December 17th, 2011. So now you can still get in on a great deal and book your Disney vacation and get the Quick Service dining plan with any Value resort stay, and the Plus dining plan with any Moderate or Deluxe resort stay. All you need to hold your package is a $200 refundable deposit. Don't let this deal get away. I mean we're talking 2 of my favorite words: Free & Dining.<br />
Contact me for a free quote at Lisa@SnapshotGetaways.comLisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793665349074382474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5717173393435774255.post-9963245636514521172011-10-13T06:57:00.000-07:002013-05-29T06:44:15.208-07:00New for the Disney Fantasy Cruise Ship<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBbIJQwAIhvA8beekixkqSFEEmsU8K_shaqg3MnJhbVMhc2O37SoPw-2ztEnynCBQb71sHz2gq4fNrtiT7-CldqRiI73eaMvkCLwWHyc5ji2nIReO024cRtfzi2ZuG3I0p9u7Cqmc7kXA/s1600/aqua+lab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBbIJQwAIhvA8beekixkqSFEEmsU8K_shaqg3MnJhbVMhc2O37SoPw-2ztEnynCBQb71sHz2gq4fNrtiT7-CldqRiI73eaMvkCLwWHyc5ji2nIReO024cRtfzi2ZuG3I0p9u7Cqmc7kXA/s320/aqua+lab.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I know I have talked about how excited I am for the newest Disney Cruise Line addition, the Fantasy, to come on line, but here's yet another reason-the Aqua Lab. <br />
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It seems that Donald Ducks boisterous nephews Huey, Dewey & Louie created the Aqua Lab and while they are away, young guests of the Fantasy have been left in charge. They must turn wheels & pull levers to help "control" the AquaDuck speed & temperature, as well as many other leaks and spills to tend to. <br />
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Another example of Disney creativity and always striving to make the Disney Cruise Line an amazing experience for all it's guests!<br />
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If you're interested in getting more information, or booking a Disney Cruise, contact me at Lisa@SnapshotGetaways.comLisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793665349074382474noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5717173393435774255.post-77130751850262200202011-10-12T16:42:00.000-07:002011-10-12T16:42:46.690-07:00New reservation policy goes into effect October 26th<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvYTPmsFxXABxBz1hj85hRm41sqdasoJVe38jsHR_CdHUGeKcJHVEQFLfS-tHKdxkaPjTE5hdwb3BVxwUrlS-kaLs-3QFV3nPxrxi61OBzrTYkJk8sCTdqWSNBcyXSqEJk4vkONjoV6g/s1600/People+Eating+at+CRT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvYTPmsFxXABxBz1hj85hRm41sqdasoJVe38jsHR_CdHUGeKcJHVEQFLfS-tHKdxkaPjTE5hdwb3BVxwUrlS-kaLs-3QFV3nPxrxi61OBzrTYkJk8sCTdqWSNBcyXSqEJk4vkONjoV6g/s1600/People+Eating+at+CRT.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Effective October 26th, Disney will now be charging a $10 per person fee for any no-shows or cancellations made less than a day prior. A credit card will be required to make reservations at select restaurants and charged the $10 cancellation fee for the following restaurants:<br />
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* 1900 Park Fare<br />
* Akershus Royal Banquet Hall<br />
* Artist Point<br />
* California Grill<br />
* Cape May Café<br />
* Chef Mickey’s<br />
* Cítricos<br />
* The Crystal Palace<br />
* Flying Fish Café<br />
* The Garden Grill<br />
* Hollywood & Vine<br />
*Jiko<br />
* Le Cellier Steakhouse<br />
* Narcoossee’s<br />
* Ohana<br />
* Tusker House Restaurant<br />
* The Hollywood Brown Derby<br />
* Yachtsman Steakhouse<br />
* Victoria & Albert’s (cancellation policy is $25/per person)<br />
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Cinderella's Royal Table, Hoop-de-doo Revue, Mickey's Backyard BBQ & Spirit of Aloha will continue to the same policy of charging the full pre-paid cost if not cancelled 1 day in advance.<br />
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It remains to be seen if this will help the whole reservation system, and ADR availability or not. Personally I like that the Signature restaurants are implementing this. With the longer dining times & limited seating, it makes a lot of sense. What do you think?Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793665349074382474noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5717173393435774255.post-29263483324455270332011-10-07T12:02:00.000-07:002011-10-07T12:02:01.034-07:00Fruity Drink Fridays<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRwHGvA9KUoZm2fToMgxmx0tGuR0kmR7EFofucam7vwwzG6W2As9yafsR_mLZsvpnxpWMSkrdzkosyGtVmIo-LhWe4UGUu9CLBWdfm2uSCiQFaTsDstZ-oL1yIO44VeygiyDg4TSbwP5k/s1600/Cider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRwHGvA9KUoZm2fToMgxmx0tGuR0kmR7EFofucam7vwwzG6W2As9yafsR_mLZsvpnxpWMSkrdzkosyGtVmIo-LhWe4UGUu9CLBWdfm2uSCiQFaTsDstZ-oL1yIO44VeygiyDg4TSbwP5k/s1600/Cider.jpg" /></a></b></div><br />
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<b>The cooler weather is coming and for some of us, it's already here, so I decided to do a Fall favorite of mine: </b><br />
<b>the Hot Spiced Apple Cider. What I love about this drink is a) it's good, b) it can be modified to your tastes, and c) it's good. While I have to be honest-I don't like the Fall, pretty much because it leads to Winter, I do love Fall foods & beverages. So here it is:</b><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Hot Spiced Apple Cider</u></span></b></div><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u><br />
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<b><span class="ingredient-item-quantity_fraction">1 1/4 </span><span class="ingredient-item-unit">quart </span><span class="ingredient-item-body">apple cider </span></b><br />
<b><span class="ingredient-item-body"></span><span class="ingredient-item-quantity_fraction">3 </span><span class="ingredient-item-unit">tablespoons </span><span class="ingredient-item-body">firmly packed light-brown sugar (IF cider is unsweetened)</span></b><br />
<b><span class="ingredient-item-quantity_fraction">7 </span><span class="ingredient-item-body">whole cinnamon sticks (6 sticks for garnish) </span><span class="ingredient-item-quantity_fraction"> </span></b><br />
<b><span class="ingredient-item-quantity_fraction">1 </span><span class="ingredient-item-unit">teaspoon </span><span class="ingredient-item-body">ground allspice </span></b><br />
<b><span class="ingredient-item-quantity_fraction">1/2 </span><span class="ingredient-item-unit">teaspoon </span><span class="ingredient-item-body">ground ginger </span><span class="ingredient-item-body"> </span></b><br />
<b><span class="ingredient-item-body">Pinch of ground cloves </span></b><br />
<b><span class="ingredient-item-body">Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg </span></b><br />
<b><span class="ingredient-item-body">Pinch of salt </span></b><br />
<b><span class="ingredient-item-quantity_fraction">1/2 </span><span class="ingredient-item-unit">cup </span><span class="ingredient-item-body">alcohol of your choice** (Or omit the alcohol and everyone can enjoy :) )</span></b><br />
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<b><span class="ingredient-item-body"> **Some options include Calvados Apple Brandy, Poire William Pear Brandy, Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, Pama Pomegranate Liquor-basically the choice is yours :)</span></b><br />
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<b><span class="ingredient-item-body">This recipe makes about 6 cups worth and you're going to want to make it on the stove or even in a crock pot. Add all ingredients-except alcohol, and bring to a simmer over a medium to low flame. Simmer for a few minutes (5 or so) . Remove from heat. Add your alcohol and serve in mugs with cinnamon sticks or sprinkled on top. </span></b><br />
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<b><span data-jsid="text">****Now for the disclaimer: These recipes DO contain alcohol and should only be consumed by persons of legal drinking age. Please drink responsibly & don't drink and drive. Lisa Ruiz & Disney A La Carte are not responsible for any damage to person(s<span class="text_exposed_show">) or property, or loss of life that result from over consumption or abuse of these recipes. Got it? Not for kids, don't drink & drive, and be responsible :)</span></span></b><br />
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</div><span class="ingredient-item-body"> </span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793665349074382474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5717173393435774255.post-61657701934802445602011-10-05T06:52:00.000-07:002013-05-29T06:46:43.990-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWSPEP8HvV5LXK9ipiMSrM-IPPv8UMdM-FmaXL2uVomwEBX5WINwc4tMeH-86peJ7-sV0RoER9zpDokJewyXq8kFzTYP-CmrB2_K5wGlfiGAEJq5EAnsYQSbTPdoMNO9ZLJUCealxb6a4/s1600/162653_1504702983010_1397321075_31132826_475084_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWSPEP8HvV5LXK9ipiMSrM-IPPv8UMdM-FmaXL2uVomwEBX5WINwc4tMeH-86peJ7-sV0RoER9zpDokJewyXq8kFzTYP-CmrB2_K5wGlfiGAEJq5EAnsYQSbTPdoMNO9ZLJUCealxb6a4/s320/162653_1504702983010_1397321075_31132826_475084_n.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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Book by Dec. 21, 2011, and you can save up to 35%* on rooms at select Disney Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resorts for stays most nights Jan. 2 – Feb. 20, 2012. (30% savings at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Disney’s Polynesian Resort; lower savings at other resorts.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">For a FREE quote & vacation planning, contact me at: Lisa@SnapshotGetaways.com or by phone (845) 283-5099 to get started. </span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793665349074382474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5717173393435774255.post-42211878375817527732011-09-29T19:22:00.000-07:002011-09-29T19:22:50.924-07:00Announcing 3 Moms and the Mouse Podcast!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyrFhKgwoyazL1TnmhliLRN1Hy4uGtHq6ObTcFvnfSAi3SjmQ1sHnZ5aPqajQvKnT4zN8diWxPLJNcAM_fKWo2_6eyPfVDlb1nRip5d8Au6Uw4sWOZ4bxmB0o0xtD7bzYV_xQ3GMEFoU/s1600/Rainbow+castle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyrFhKgwoyazL1TnmhliLRN1Hy4uGtHq6ObTcFvnfSAi3SjmQ1sHnZ5aPqajQvKnT4zN8diWxPLJNcAM_fKWo2_6eyPfVDlb1nRip5d8Au6Uw4sWOZ4bxmB0o0xtD7bzYV_xQ3GMEFoU/s320/Rainbow+castle.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br />
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I wanted to take a minute to announce the start of a brand new Disney fan-based podcast I am proud to be a part of. 3 Moms and the Mouse Podcast launched today with it's introductory episode. I am lucky to have 2 amazing women join me in this new venture-Mindy Horner & Dina Barreto. Fellow Pixie agents, great moms & of course BIG time Disney nerds. Our goal is to bring our listeners as much Disney information as possible in a condensed format of around 30 minutes or so. So give us a play on your ride home from work or while you're making dinner and grab a beverage and come give us a listen. Then send us an email and tell us what you think. We really want to make this a listener driven experience-so tell us what you want to hear!<br />
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Click <a href="http://www.3momsandthemouse.com/">3 Moms and the Mouse Podcast</a> to listen :)<br />
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Thanks for the support!<br />
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LisLisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793665349074382474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5717173393435774255.post-7162336729658613952011-09-27T10:02:00.000-07:002011-09-27T10:02:07.486-07:00Guest Review: The Yellow Dog Eats Cafe<b>I am somewhat embarrassed to say that when we go to Orlando, the Mouse is all consuming for us. We never rent a car and if we do leave Disney property, it's to visit Seaworld and we cab it back & forth. So when a good friend of mine posted a rave about a local eatery in Orlando, I was intrigued. I asked her if she would be interested in doing a review for me-and she was gracious enough to do so :) So here it is the inside track on this local gem. Thank you to my friend E.G. for sharing the secret!</b><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Yellow Dog Eats Cafe</span></b></u> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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Yellow Dog Eats<br />
1236 Hempel Ave.<br />
Gotha, FL 34786<br />
Click <a href="http://www.yellowdogeats.com/YellowDogEats/Welcome.html">here</a> to go to the Yellow Dog Eats Cafe's website<br />
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Find this place. It’s the best not so secret place to eat in the greater Orlando area. <br />
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You’ll find limited parking, but look across the street in the grassy vacant lot. You can park there. Walking across the road is an experience. Beware the Gotha chickens.<br />
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The outside of the restaurant presents like a country store. The experience starts there. Read the outdoor sign advertising the day’s specials. <br />
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As you enter, you will find an eclectic visual cacophony of food ordering counter, merchandise for sale, dog oriented photos, figurines, t-shirts, wine, and beer. The tables and chairs are a mis-matched collection, so don’t expect prissy, nicey-nice here. It’s a people place, a fun place. Pay attention to the music. It’s one of the most complex offerings you’ll hear in any establishment. Oh, and bring a felt tip pen if you want to leave your signature on the table, or a chair, or maybe even the woodwork. Don’t forget to check upstairs for seating and outside. It’s a busy place so when you enter be sure to seek out the end of the line.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKyEXPKEUT5fMTIY-F3EeCuj35m6QSN-v6ga7t3ptQ1EW5xGhR_umsSc0ajI0y9YsKONDd4vD7B0zoCgVeKquopRQHFhmzflCxjDoirj_GVBGS1qBvXDKCKRb3oGA9noyXD4HcmkzhpoI/s1600/Yellow+dog+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKyEXPKEUT5fMTIY-F3EeCuj35m6QSN-v6ga7t3ptQ1EW5xGhR_umsSc0ajI0y9YsKONDd4vD7B0zoCgVeKquopRQHFhmzflCxjDoirj_GVBGS1qBvXDKCKRb3oGA9noyXD4HcmkzhpoI/s320/Yellow+dog+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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You’ll find the menu on the counter to the left as you walk in. Remember to check the behind the counter chalk board for the day’s special. If they are offering smoked brisket, get it.<br />
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The menu consists of elaborate creations the less informed will term sandwiches. There are salads, equally complex, and choices include black beans and rice (go ahead and think you know what that means) and nachos (dare you).<br />
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The selections all have creative names, so enjoy the read. The Rufus, Frisky please is a favorite.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWILFiS6iJF-OMKIkILJUeQp-cx8BT2efbbJlf9vbVrBYhYWrbrTGj2jTcUj0F-9pIDaJD248DI3BjvepZtEC1lJNJvgQ8kXNsvX8uYlPZwonsmDOQ4egp8YwojHyRViHLOB1J49DCB1c/s1600/Rufus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWILFiS6iJF-OMKIkILJUeQp-cx8BT2efbbJlf9vbVrBYhYWrbrTGj2jTcUj0F-9pIDaJD248DI3BjvepZtEC1lJNJvgQ8kXNsvX8uYlPZwonsmDOQ4egp8YwojHyRViHLOB1J49DCB1c/s320/Rufus.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Flip the menu over for vegetarian and vegan choices.<br />
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Be sure to check the cooler on the far right for desserts of the day. Get one. <br />
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Drinks consist of the usual sodas, and the unusual bottled beers and wine selections.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK6V9sQLa_AubmWICambxDg78QgDQaeowfzDL72Ql1fiBuHHjFlJzzltRujwYyKoyhNllgVQkjntmHDnKeRZ_KsW0bMN0ojhO9jIHixYSUJr0rYj-FrP8yaJDlztYCfucDPQQhvlWRxoo/s1600/Yellow+dog+wines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK6V9sQLa_AubmWICambxDg78QgDQaeowfzDL72Ql1fiBuHHjFlJzzltRujwYyKoyhNllgVQkjntmHDnKeRZ_KsW0bMN0ojhO9jIHixYSUJr0rYj-FrP8yaJDlztYCfucDPQQhvlWRxoo/s320/Yellow+dog+wines.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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We cheerfully spend roughly $50 for a two, including wine and dessert. The selections are consistently well prepared, delicious and enormous. We hope to try everything on the menu over time, but find it very hard to not get our favorites each time. <br />
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Service is cheerful over the counter. They’ll laugh with you and patiently answer all your questions. When your order is up, they’ll announce it over the loud speaker and you’ll bring it to the table yourself. Look for the owner chef, Fish. He’s the tall guy with the long pony tail making sure everything is going well.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLxE8259EBZHZnMTHFgThbLXuyEU03sg2IFlu4V5L6W0xJ9ttMTPUyUw3Awrxl0L613cDS_WQEVRU0qzdjNtFxcp7GQ40sdlQklVBgWcUft5HE0jhRD2niMTDBZZdlshSpfJo7wjPYws/s1600/Chef+Fish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLxE8259EBZHZnMTHFgThbLXuyEU03sg2IFlu4V5L6W0xJ9ttMTPUyUw3Awrxl0L613cDS_WQEVRU0qzdjNtFxcp7GQ40sdlQklVBgWcUft5HE0jhRD2niMTDBZZdlshSpfJo7wjPYws/s320/Chef+Fish.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Food presentation is pretty basic, but with complex creations that’s all it could be. The food itself is the presentation. You’ll have most served on a paper lined tray. Those items that don’t lend themselves to that will be on a large serving dish nestled in the tray. Remember to pick up your plastic eating utensils and a straw if you want. There will be napkin dispensers on the table (you’ll need it!) and extra sauces. Clear your table when you are done. The trash bins are over there.<br />
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Don’t forget to browse the prepared items selection and choose a few to bring home with you.<br />
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Yellow Dog. See you there! <br />
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-E.G.<br />
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<b>Thanks again E.G.! Your review is making me rethink my "Never leave Disney property" status!</b>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793665349074382474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5717173393435774255.post-90074271031226062772011-09-16T06:42:00.000-07:002011-09-16T06:42:01.941-07:00Fruity Drink Fridays<div style="text-align: center;"><u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Pomegranate Splash</span></b></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6KO0zcJ7biXDOZhnb7il1onYlpuB7rBfYI12Bd0m_11Ldt8OTiKO2xE1TUqy1w-SXeTuR9PDfxL7PQl5YttTwa20V9Zvy_m7bFGKz1XQcwXlhtrRAQW42bynTpTHqhXuNHt3cJa7kQ4/s1600/Pama+Splash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6KO0zcJ7biXDOZhnb7il1onYlpuB7rBfYI12Bd0m_11Ldt8OTiKO2xE1TUqy1w-SXeTuR9PDfxL7PQl5YttTwa20V9Zvy_m7bFGKz1XQcwXlhtrRAQW42bynTpTHqhXuNHt3cJa7kQ4/s1600/Pama+Splash.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Keeping it simple again today, but that doesn't mean no taste. This cocktail has a very wonderful liquor called Pama in it. Pama is a pomegranate liquor and absolutely wonderful. Combined with Skyy Infusions Citrus Vodka, cranberry juice & soda water, it's light, effervescent and delicious. </b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Pomegranate Splash </u> </b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>1 oz Pama Pomegranate Liquor</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>1 oz Skyy Citrus Infusions Vodka</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>2 oz Cranberry Juice Cocktail</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Fill with soda water (club soda) </b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br />
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</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b> Pour all ingredients over ice, garnish with citrus of your liking and enjoy. I told you it was simple ;) Cheers!</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><b><span data-jsid="text">****Now for the disclaimer: These recipes DO contain alcohol and should only be consumed by persons of legal drinking age. Please drink responsibly & don't drink and drive. Lisa Ruiz & Disney A La Carte are not responsible for any damage to person(s<span class="text_exposed_show">) or property, or loss of life that result from over consumption or abuse of these recipes. Got it? Not for kids, don't drink & drive, and be responsible :)</span></span></b><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793665349074382474noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5717173393435774255.post-91056541160632225772011-09-15T09:47:00.000-07:002013-05-29T06:58:15.620-07:00I Have To Make My Disney Dining Reservations WHEN??!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Of all the things people wonder & worry about when it comes to Disney, I think ADR's (Advance Dining Reservations) seem to be the thing that sends people over the edge. Tell a first timer that if they want to get in to eat with Cinderella or Stitch, they have to plan their meal 180 days in advance and watch that look come over their face. I actually call it ADR Stages of Shock.<br />
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<b>Stage 1:</b> They laugh, thinking you're pulling their leg.<br />
<b>Stage 2: </b>They then look at you like you've escaped from a "quiet place" with padded walls.<br />
<b>Stage 3:</b> Is a mixture of anger & panic usually identified by a gruff "Are you serious?" and a high pitched "How am I supposed to know what I want to eat 6 months from now??!!"<br />
<b>Stage 4: </b>Pure terror. This is where they have visions of everyone in their family yelling at them for ruining their vacation by making them eat at Casey every night (Sorry Casey fans-I just can't call those things hot dogs-I'm a New Yorker).<br />
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Alright this is where you have to kinda talk them off a ledge for a minute. And that's what I am going to try and do in this post. Talk all you panicky folks down and help you with a strategy for making your ADR's a painless experience. <br />
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So let's address Stage 3, since it's the real heart of the issue. You don't have to decided <i><u>what</u> </i>you want to eat 6 months from now, you have to decided <i><u>where</u> </i>you want to eat 6 months from now. What's the difference you ask? Well to decide what dish you want to have 180 from now is crazy. What if you're not in the mood for pasta when vacation time comes? Also with seasonal menu changes, the dish you choose might not even be on the menu when you get there. Now true-if they have the ingredients and you ask nice, they will usually accommodate you-but that's a big "If". So instead of asking you to pick your meal, Disney is asking you to look at some menus, or read some reviews, on their site or unofficial ones, and choose restaurants you might like to eat at. So say you look at Citricos menu or Chef Mickeys normal buffet offerings and you see a few dishes that look good to you. Or maybe you're even sold by the theme or activities that go on there-like characters who appear there. So you go online to the reservation system or call (or tell your travel agent and they do it for you) and check for a time when you'd like to have a meal there. You enter your time 6:30 pm and look-they have a table for 6:40 at Chef Mickeys. So you hit confirm you and get a confirmation number. Hey! Wait a minute-you just made an ADR for 6 months from now! Now wasn't that easy?<br />
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Ok so now that you see it's really not that big a deal to make reservations so far ahead, let's talk about some other fears & concerns people have about ADR's and some tips as well.<br />
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<b>What if I change my mind when the vacation comes? </b><br />
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They put you in Mickey jail. No-not really. If you change your mind-call and cancel. Now it's true some restaurants & dining experiences have a 1-2 day cancellation policy. While some of the restaurants do not charge any fee to miss or cancel a reservation, Disney's has started penalizing no-shows, for many of their most popular restaurants. You will be required to leave a credit card on file for any restaurant that has this policy in effect. If you do not show up for or cancel in the right amount of time, a per person charge will be applied to your credit card. The charge varies by restaurant-for instance Akershus Princess Dining is $10 per person. So if you're scheduled to eat at Chef's de France later that week, but change your mind and/or plans-make sure to call and cancel your reservation. Plus-it's the polite thing to do anyway. Now, Disney is sympathetic to the fact things happen, so if little Suzy gets queasy on the Teacups and you don't think you want to push the issue of taking her to eat-call them and tell them your issue, they are always there to help.<br />
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<b>What if I find another restaurant I like before I leave for vacation?</b> <b>What if a reservation opens up in a place that previously didn't have an opening?</b><br />
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If you're like me, you're constantly going to be going on and checking to see what's available, or if that 7:00pm table at Le Cellier opens up. Not a problem-just call and cancel the conflicting reservation you no longer want.<br />
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<b> What if the dish I had my heart set on isn't on the menu when I get there? </b><br />
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There is always the possibility that with seasonal menus, certain promotions & crowd volume, you might not see the dish you were eyeing 6 months ago when you get there. But I will tell you that if the ingredients are available, and it's a reasonable prep time & if you ask, you might be surprised to hear the chefs will recreate the dish for you. Now I can't guarantee this-and neither will Disney. But it never hurts to ask. But this is why you should choose restaurants based on the style of food they offer rather than 1 particular dish.<br />
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<u>Lastly a few tips:</u><br />
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<b>1) Start planning early. </b>And I don't just mean the actual booking at 180 days out-I mean start looking around, reading menus & reviews to get an idea where you might want to dine. This way when it's time to book, you have a plan.<b> </b><br />
<b>2)</b> <b>Do your homework or talk to someone who is knowledgeable in Disney restaurants.</b> Learn about the restaurants you will be booking at. You don't want to make a mistake like finishing dining at California Grill and leave only to find out later that you could have either stayed or gone back to watch Wishes from the observation deck.<br />
<b>3)</b><b> What do you do when you can't find an ADR for a restaurant you really want to try?</b> Keep trying. Try odd times, like late at night, mid-afternoon during a work week, early morning, weekends. I have gotten very hard to come by reservations by doing this. Also, if you're working with a travel agent-let them do the heavy lifting and call at weird hours and multiple times a day lol.<br />
<b>4)</b> <b>Plan your ADR's around events, parades, fireworks, park openings/closings(to be in the parks with very few other people and get some great uncluttered pictures) etc.</b><br />
<b>5)</b> <b>Don't forget which restaurants have a cancellation penalty.</b><br />
<b>6) Try different times in the day.</b> If you can't get into dinner at Le Cellier-try for lunch.<br />
<b>7) NEVER give up an ADR UNTIL you have confirmation for something else you want.</b><br />
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I hope this has relieved some of the anxiety that comes along with making Advance Dining Reservations. It's really not as bad as it seems. You got this. And if you're still not sure-you can always use a travel agent to help you. It's 100% free. There is never a charge to you. Master the Way of the ADR and you too can be the hero responsible for happy pictures like these :)<b><br />
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<b>Have fun & Happy Eating!</b></div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793665349074382474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5717173393435774255.post-77825938623960846422011-09-14T09:47:00.000-07:002013-05-29T06:58:55.094-07:00Save Up to 30% on a Disneyland Resort Stay October-December<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Contact Me at Lisa@SnapshotGetaways.com for a </b><b>FREE quote. And as always all my vacation planning services are </b><b>100% FREE to you. There is <i><u>never</u></i> a charge to use a travel agent :) </b>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793665349074382474noreply@blogger.com0