Disneyland's Monte Cristo

A friend was posting yesterday from Disneyland. I found myself jealous of him when he mentioned Mr. Toad's Wild Ride but it became worse when he talked about the Monte Cristo. That was such a treat when I did my 2 Kingdoms in 1 day trip. From my Disney cookbook, I bring you:

The Monte Cristo
Blue Bayou Restaurant*Disneyland Park*Disneyland Resort

1 egg
1 3/4 cups plus 2 Tablespoons water
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
8 slices egg bread (challah works well) sliced 1/2 inch think
8 thin slices ham
8 thin slices turkey
8 thin slices Swiss cheese
3 cups canola oil
Confectioners' sugar
Blackberry preserves

Serves 4

1. Line a cookie sheet with paper towels; set aside.
2. Whisk the egg and water together in a mixing bowl. Add flour, salt and baking powder and whisk thoroughly for 2 to 3 minutes, or until smooth, scraping side of bowl.
3. On one slice of bread, arrange 2 slices of ham, turkey and cheese, covering the bread evenly. Place another slice of bread on top and slice each sandwich in half diagonally.
4. Heat oil to between 365 F and 375F in a 10-inch pan. Do not let the oil reach a higher temperature than this; if the oil starts to smoke, turn the heat down. Dip half of the sandwich into the batter, allowing exces to drain, and very carefully place into the oil.
5. Repeat with the other sandwich half. Cook 3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Place the cooked sandwich on the prepared cookie sheet in a warm oven until golden brown. Place the cooked sandwich on the prepared cookie sheet in a warm oven until ready to serve. Repeat with the other three sandwiches. Cook one at a time, and allow the oil to reach the desired temperature between each.
6. Sprinkle with confectioner's sugar, and serve with blackberry preserves on the side.

Jen's Brick

I got a text message today from a Disfriend who just happened to be at Disneyland today. She wanted to look and see if Jen's brick was in placed because she was with me for a bit in December and we looked for the planned spot for it. She asked me if I had the info with me and luckily, I did have it on my Facebook notes. I was able to text her the location, her name and where she was from and the brick number. It was bittersweet seeing the brick.

The brick looks good and brought some tears to my eyes. I was thinking about the brick and Jen yesterday, so to get this text was not a surprise. It's been just over 6 months that I lost a great friend and confidant. I wish she was able to talk back to me about some things that I have on my mind.

I really am looking forward to a trip back to Disneyland to see this myself. I hope one day her family will go and see it too. As you can see in the picture, it's near the edge because of the plain bricks. It is on the far left right in front of Disneyland gates, and I think it was the second section to the right.

Thanks to everyone who chipped in for the brick. I know you all loved Jen too!

Main Street Electrical Light Parade

The Main Street Electrical Light Parade is returning!!! I'm excited! I LOVE this parade. Don't get me wrong, I love SpectroMagic. I have been in love MSELP for years! Love the music! Just makes me feel so happy inside. And there is that lightning bug (firefly) in the parade ♥♥♥. I have a small replica from Walt Disney Classic Collections of the lightning bug.

There is going to be some new floats too, from what I have read from another blog and what someone told me. Tinkerbell will be leading it off in a ballon float. Snow White and another character will be there too. I am hoping they are not taking away anything though. Will have to wait to see. Sometimes, changing a classic can be good, and other times... not so much. This change also seems to tie in a little with it not playing at DL while I was there. May be when they did the addition of the new floats.

There will be a change to the summer fireworks. Supposedly to be more like what they do at Disneyland. I didn't get to see this show as it was Christmas time when I went and they had special fireworks. I hope they will bring Wishes back at the end of the year. The only other tthing that I can think to be a problem and would downplay the change, is "if" it is going to be like it is in DL then when there are the numerous thunderstorms we have, I doubt that there will be characters flying around (Dumbo and Tinkerbell fly at DL).

I guess I need to reinvest in a camcorder to get some good video coverage of Wishes and Spectro just in case. Plus I think I want to record Wishes from different places too.

I'm Going to Disneyland!

For those who know me... they know what a big deal this is. I am not a fan of flying. I will fly when I have to, how else would I have gotten to England and Germany??? I would rather not fly alone... BUT I know this is no big deal and I can do this. I WANT to do this!

Over a year ago, the trip planning was started. Dates were set. More planning. Jen died. I had some decisions to make. I'm going. Jen had wanted to go on this trip SO bad, so if I don't go, I think she will kick me in the ass somehow. Unfortunately, the others who were going have backed out... well, not all of them. There are a few I will see and thankful for that!

I plan to take my computer and do some updates. I know I will be posting pics to facebook (for my friends only) and then move some another place. I may add some here too. Just limit pics because of the limit that this site has overall.

OMG! I'm going to Disneyland!!! I am planning to be in 2 parks in 1 day. Not just any 2 parks either! Not Disneyland and California Adventure! Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom and then to the original Disneyland. I can hardly wait!!!! Heather has sent me a book to read on the plane... I have to do some iTunes work on my iPod. I need to get all my packing out of piles and into my suitcase (carryon style so I can get right from the plane to park). Try not to overpack!!!!

Come along with me on my adventure...

D23 Expo: Upcoming changes for the Disney Parks and Resorts

I do not normally do the same type of blog that all the other Disney Bloggers seem to do. This is the exception. I saw some information that was going out that wasn't what was said when I listened to the 30 minute feed twice.

Fantasyland at Walt Disney World is getting revamped. Back behind the area that we know they have already started work. There will be settings for Sleeping Beauty (Aurora), Cinderella, Ariel (The Little Mermaid) and Belle. I am so looking forward to Belle! There will be a new dining area there, "Be Our Guest" I believe is the table service and Gaston's pub will be counter service. They will move the current Storytime with Belle into this area with a change to it. There will be a ride for Ariel (reminded me of Finding Nemo in Epcot). And finally, Pixie Hallow is going to much more than it already is at Toon Town.

Disney Cruise Line had some changes. I thought they said 2 places for new places to see, but only heard Alaska. The Wonder will be permanently moved to the West coast. The 2 new ships, Dream and Fantasy, will be coming soon. Castaway Key is getting some changes too. They did show a little bit of the DVC resort in Hawaii.

I know I have said Tokyo when talking about Adventurer's Club... and I do not know why I keep doing that... but rumor is that after I go to an event there (with 2 others follow the next 2 nights) the AC is being packed up and moved to Hong Kong. Well, now I believe it even more. At DLHK they are adding a new land, a frontier type land, called Grizzly Trails. There is going to be a roller coaster type ride with a mix of California Screamin' and Expedition Everest with added details in all their coasters.

Finally, the AC link. There is going to be a Haunted Mansion type ride that has a interactive part so you never get the same ride twice. It's called Mystic Point and has a theme about a man's adventures and a monkey. This is why I see everything being packed up now at the AC. How sad we lose this great attraction... just because they want to use the props there.

The expansion at DL California Adventure is going on. The World of Color nighttime spectacular is coming along with new boats/barges that look very colorful. They are opening a new land: car Land, that takes you to Radiator Springs. There will be a ride there that is a play on Test Track from the appearance of the mock up. And in Oct 2010, StarTours will be closing at DL for a revamp, that will reopen in 2011. At the announcement, this was only said for the DL resort. Yes, I do eventually see that changing at DHS, but it wasn't announced at that time. Maybe someone asked after the fact, but why would they not say both with all the news????????

Disneyland's Walk of Magical Memories

Disneyland is doing a walkway similar to the bricks that are at the Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort. The one at DL will be between MK and California Adventure. The bricks are still being sold at this time. They run $150.00 for 3 lines. Each line is up to 16 letters, spaces and punctuation. You may have names, a place (like city and state) and a date. You also get to pick a little picture from a choice of 6 designs (wedding bells, a castle with a banner under it that I don't remember, Mickey icon shape with a year in it, and Mickey's hands that make a heart. One for California AP holders only and one for CM only.). You may not put "in memory of, in honor of, wedding, anniversary, birthday etc.). For an extra $35 each you may get either an acrylic or wooden replica of the brick. After the information is received by DL, they send a confirmation out in approximately 3 weeks. After another 10 weeks, you get the replicas.

I recently purchased a brick with contributions from awesome friends who wanted to be a part of remember a friend we lost suddenly. I spoke about her in a past blog. We have all contributed enough money to not only get the brick, but also 2 wooden replicas for her children, AND over $250.00 is going to the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund in her name. Her brick has the Mickey hands picture, her name and where she lived. I am amazed by their generosity and friendship. They have been a great help as I have dealt with the loss of a friend and I hope that I was equally as generous with compassion for them as they went through this loss too.

Jen's brick will be placed in February 2010. I hope I can get out there one day to see it. I do have a couple friends in California who would take a picture for me. I think it's a wonderful way to remember someone who loves Disney.

Have to Keep the Magic

My heart is sad. My dear friend Jennifer is gone. She died suddenly on Monday morning. Jennifer and I were going to do the 2 Kingdoms in one day trip I talked about below. We were to meet up with others at Disneyland if they didn't or couldn't come to both. Jennifer had a great laugh. She loved Disney more than anyone I have met. She loved her two children so much. She had a kind heart and a generous soul.

Here is the biggest part... Jen and I have never met. We tried so many times.. but things happened that didn't work out for her. She was suppose to be with me in September 2008, the weekend after I took my boards. Another friend Kip was there, and we got a pink balloon and carried that around one day, calling it Jen. When I got home, I took the balloon and let the air out (okay not air) but regardless... I mailed it to her. She loved it. I feel like we have known each other for longer than the couple years. That is the power the internet can have. Bring you close to someone who is miles and miles away.

I plan to keep this trip. I hope other friends will join in. I hope someone else will come along too. Jen had said the more the merrier! I promise to keep the Magic in my life.

**8/13/2009: I am going to WDW on Saturday. I am going to meet up with a couple friends of Jen's and mine. We will celebrate her life (one of many trips for that).

A Random Thought...

I was just going through some other blogs and saw something that I had thought would be neat to do. I just wasn't sure how to make it possible. But it is!

The funny thing about this, is there has always been a desire to do something* similar here in the state of Florida. Now just thinking bigger! The idea is to be in Walt Disney World AND Disneyland on the same day! I would need to stay in Orlando of course at WDW. Spend some time in the park of choice... most likely Magic Kingdom. Take a late flight, that would allow me time to get to DL and into a park that same day... again, the original park.

I have to take another look at flights and talk to a friend. There is a group of us going in December to Disneyland. I am looking forward to this. I have never been to DL... let alone past Texas! I am hoping too, that this will be topped off with some other things. I need to add a night to our stay but not sure which resort.

* I have always wanted to see the sun rise on the east coast of Florida, head west doing something to spend the day arriving on the west coast of Florida and see the sun set. Get up early enough to see the sun rise at WDW, and then watch it set while at DL.