I have always wanted to take a cruise on the Grand 1 yacht. The yacht has changed a couple of times over the years and the current one allows you to have 18 people on board. It is incredible and expensive.
I still want to do this for a date, and I will one day... but I have been on it for another wonderful reason. I rented it to celebrate a friend's birthday and her wedding. She and her husband have been married for 9 months at the time, and because she gave up her Disney wedding (for the right reason), I wanted her to have something special. She and I worked together in getting the cake picked, and discussing some of the details.
We had assistance through the Grand Floridian in getting everything together. Pat was wonderful. We decided not to have a butler, which it is optional. The Captain was great. He made sure that we had great view of the fireworks (Hallowishes) and we cruised around the 7 Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake.
The Grand 1 has been used for parties, romantic dinners, engagements, celebrations like anniversaries, a private taxi to go to and from different places around the Seas. Now, I do not recommend the private taxi myself, but if you have the money to blow on that, that is your choice.
Showing posts with label Celebrations Magazine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Celebrations Magazine. Show all posts
Monday, November 2, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Jellyrolls
I was given another opportunity to write another article for Celebrations and this time I wrote about Jellyrolls. I love this place and right now, my three favorite memories about it are when I went with my friend Cait and had her bachlorette party there, taking my sister for the first time and her loving it, and celebrating there when I found out I passed my boards for R.N.!! I haven't compared the actual published article to what I am posting here. Like the one I did for tea at the Grand Floridian, they may have adjusted for space. (I do know they changed the title. =0))
Jellyrolls: A Rockin’ Good Time
“Do you know what time it is?” If you don’t you soon will. These are words that you will hear randomly through the night at Jellyrolls. So pull up a chair, sit back and relax... and welcome to Jellyrolls!
Located down on Disney’s Boardwalk is a fun and festive place called Jellyrolls (named in honor of “Jelly Roll” Morton, who was a ragtime pianist in the early 1900’s). The pale blue and white striped exterior has hidden inside a bar that is unlike any at the Walt Disney Resort. It’s a sing-a-long style with dueling pianos, where the guests make the requests. Because of this, no two shows are ever the same! The live action that these talented guys put into their shows will make you smile, laugh and bring back memories of songs all the way back to childhood. This is a great place, even if you like to sing but don’t have a great singing voice or afraid of karaoke. You will blend right in!
When you enter Jellyrolls, you find seating on the upper portion and around the edges of the sunken floor area. You can also take a few steps down into the floor area of seating before a raised stage with a large angled mirror. The mirror is great in letting you see guys play as the pianos start dueling. The guys team up so the music is continuous. The first two will start playing for the 8 o’clock hour, swap with another. They will continue to alternate through the night. Depending on the night you are there, you will enjoy the talents of Scotty Kilwein, Ray McGee, Michael Kilwein, Michael Williams, Tommy Bell or Daniel Deal. They will make your night something to remember and want to return again and again. Jellyrolls is addicting!
The décor is a wood and low light with random signs hanging around from different alcohol/beer venders, including a surf board with a shark bite taken out of it. There are two bars on either side of the room and servers to take your orders at the tables. When the music gets going the audience really helps as you are part of the show. Your server will bring you some napkins, so you can make a song request. Either you can walk it up on stage or ask your server to. There is a little secret here though: no money, the song is a suggestion… otherwise, it’s a request. They even have a Fast Pass! $20 gets your song played next! So bring cash along for the songs and credit cards for the bar.
With your participation you help make this unique and exciting for everyone there. There are some favorites that you will hear, from Billy Joel’s “Piano Man” to Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing”, Garth Brooks’ “Friends in Low Places” to Chuck Berry’s “My Ding-a-Ling”. Let us not forget the songs of Jimmy Buffett, Barry Manilow, the Bare Naked Ladies, Abba or Johnny Cash. You may even hear some songs from School House Rock, Fraggle Rock or some Disney favorites. Have a list of songs in your head, because if you get there late and your request was played already, you get to think of another one. Bad side about being late, you may miss Scotty Kilwein doing “Rainbow Connection” which is a must see. These guys can play just about anything. Though it does happen, rarely will you see them stumped.
This is a great place to celebrate birthdays, first dates, bachelorette/bachelor parties, weddings and more! When you hear “Do you know what time it is?” The response is, “No. What time is it?” Chances are that someone is getting brought up on stage to celebrate something special or it’s time to stretch your legs and join in a group song. For the possible bachelor or bachelorette, there is a single version of “I’m a Little Tea Pot” or the opportunity to see if you are paying attention. For this they play something like, “My Bonnie Lies over the Ocean” and every time you hear a word with “B”, you stand up/sit down to certain words in a song. When its group participation you can be doing motions to songs like “The Unicorn Song”, “Pink Cadillac”, “The Hokey Pokey” or even the “Time Warp”. Don’t worry if you don’t know what to do, the staff gets up on stage (and the bars) to help lead you along.
The service here is really good, as are the drink specials. They serve alcohol, wine, beer and soda, along with $1 pony beer, from 9p.m. until they are gone and a 32- ounce drink special for $9. Ask your server or look to the wipe board in the middle of each of the bars to see what this week’s special is. Popcorn is free, so you may want to eat before you head over. Also, keep in mind there isn’t any resort to resort transportation here, but you can park at the Boardwalk, or take a bus to Downtown Disney for a bus swap or get a taxi back to your resort. It’s easy walk to Beach and Yacht Club Resorts, the Swan and Dolphin and of course the Boardwalk Resort.
Jellyrolls information:
Jellyrolls: A Rockin’ Good Time
“Do you know what time it is?” If you don’t you soon will. These are words that you will hear randomly through the night at Jellyrolls. So pull up a chair, sit back and relax... and welcome to Jellyrolls!
Located down on Disney’s Boardwalk is a fun and festive place called Jellyrolls (named in honor of “Jelly Roll” Morton, who was a ragtime pianist in the early 1900’s). The pale blue and white striped exterior has hidden inside a bar that is unlike any at the Walt Disney Resort. It’s a sing-a-long style with dueling pianos, where the guests make the requests. Because of this, no two shows are ever the same! The live action that these talented guys put into their shows will make you smile, laugh and bring back memories of songs all the way back to childhood. This is a great place, even if you like to sing but don’t have a great singing voice or afraid of karaoke. You will blend right in!
When you enter Jellyrolls, you find seating on the upper portion and around the edges of the sunken floor area. You can also take a few steps down into the floor area of seating before a raised stage with a large angled mirror. The mirror is great in letting you see guys play as the pianos start dueling. The guys team up so the music is continuous. The first two will start playing for the 8 o’clock hour, swap with another. They will continue to alternate through the night. Depending on the night you are there, you will enjoy the talents of Scotty Kilwein, Ray McGee, Michael Kilwein, Michael Williams, Tommy Bell or Daniel Deal. They will make your night something to remember and want to return again and again. Jellyrolls is addicting!
The décor is a wood and low light with random signs hanging around from different alcohol/beer venders, including a surf board with a shark bite taken out of it. There are two bars on either side of the room and servers to take your orders at the tables. When the music gets going the audience really helps as you are part of the show. Your server will bring you some napkins, so you can make a song request. Either you can walk it up on stage or ask your server to. There is a little secret here though: no money, the song is a suggestion… otherwise, it’s a request. They even have a Fast Pass! $20 gets your song played next! So bring cash along for the songs and credit cards for the bar.
With your participation you help make this unique and exciting for everyone there. There are some favorites that you will hear, from Billy Joel’s “Piano Man” to Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing”, Garth Brooks’ “Friends in Low Places” to Chuck Berry’s “My Ding-a-Ling”. Let us not forget the songs of Jimmy Buffett, Barry Manilow, the Bare Naked Ladies, Abba or Johnny Cash. You may even hear some songs from School House Rock, Fraggle Rock or some Disney favorites. Have a list of songs in your head, because if you get there late and your request was played already, you get to think of another one. Bad side about being late, you may miss Scotty Kilwein doing “Rainbow Connection” which is a must see. These guys can play just about anything. Though it does happen, rarely will you see them stumped.
This is a great place to celebrate birthdays, first dates, bachelorette/bachelor parties, weddings and more! When you hear “Do you know what time it is?” The response is, “No. What time is it?” Chances are that someone is getting brought up on stage to celebrate something special or it’s time to stretch your legs and join in a group song. For the possible bachelor or bachelorette, there is a single version of “I’m a Little Tea Pot” or the opportunity to see if you are paying attention. For this they play something like, “My Bonnie Lies over the Ocean” and every time you hear a word with “B”, you stand up/sit down to certain words in a song. When its group participation you can be doing motions to songs like “The Unicorn Song”, “Pink Cadillac”, “The Hokey Pokey” or even the “Time Warp”. Don’t worry if you don’t know what to do, the staff gets up on stage (and the bars) to help lead you along.
The service here is really good, as are the drink specials. They serve alcohol, wine, beer and soda, along with $1 pony beer, from 9p.m. until they are gone and a 32- ounce drink special for $9. Ask your server or look to the wipe board in the middle of each of the bars to see what this week’s special is. Popcorn is free, so you may want to eat before you head over. Also, keep in mind there isn’t any resort to resort transportation here, but you can park at the Boardwalk, or take a bus to Downtown Disney for a bus swap or get a taxi back to your resort. It’s easy walk to Beach and Yacht Club Resorts, the Swan and Dolphin and of course the Boardwalk Resort.
Jellyrolls information:
- Must be 21 or older with photo ID
$10 cover charge
Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express and Diner’s Club accepted
Open 7p.m.-2a.m., music starts at 8p.m.
7 days a week, 365 days a year
No smoking
Free popcorn
Alcohol, beer, soda and wine served
Casual dress, shirt and shoes required
Handicap Accessible
No video taping please
Please, don’t shoot the piano player… he’s trying very hard!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
My Disney Addiction
I was introduced to the joy and wonders of Disney as a child. I remember watching it on television at night with my older sisters and parents. We moved to Florida in 1972 and that was my first trip to the World. That was when it was just the Magic Kingdom. Where you got actual tickets for the rides. They were lettered and certain rides were certain lettered rides. I think we went 3 times in the 3 years we lived in Florida (that time). At some point I got a Disney Long Playing (Yes, LP) Storybook album. It was Robin Hood. I still know all the words to that. I also have one still for Black Beauty that Disney did. There were also some other LPs and small story book albums that were 45's.
When we moved back to Florida (to the same area, 4 hours away), I got to Disney maybe 3-4 times. Then we moved to North Florida. 90 minutes away from my happy place... okay, OUR happy place!
Since moving so close... I have gotten to WDW at least 100 times in 17 years. Nice to go for just a day... couple hours... weekend. To meet up with old friends, some for the first time, some for their first trip ever. To run away from the madness of my world at home! (Don't get me wrong, life isn't bad AT all, but a dose of Mickey does great for one's mental health).
I got to become an Annual Passholder, and eventually, bought into the DVC. I am also a PROUD member of the D23. I just got my card the other day. I am waiting for all the other good things to come. I was in the old Disney Magazine (next to last issue), am a subscriber to Celebrations Magazine and eagerly awaiting the next issue (April/May 2009). I have something posted on my private blog that I will move here eventually.
I will also note for you all that the info here is from my point of view and my experience. There is a chance I may have some wrong info. I admit, to others astonishment, that I am not perfect. LOL If I have some bad info, I apologize.
(Note about the Disney Tunes: yes, I know Anastasia wasn't a Disney Movie... but I love it all the same.)
When we moved back to Florida (to the same area, 4 hours away), I got to Disney maybe 3-4 times. Then we moved to North Florida. 90 minutes away from my happy place... okay, OUR happy place!
Since moving so close... I have gotten to WDW at least 100 times in 17 years. Nice to go for just a day... couple hours... weekend. To meet up with old friends, some for the first time, some for their first trip ever. To run away from the madness of my world at home! (Don't get me wrong, life isn't bad AT all, but a dose of Mickey does great for one's mental health).
I got to become an Annual Passholder, and eventually, bought into the DVC. I am also a PROUD member of the D23. I just got my card the other day. I am waiting for all the other good things to come. I was in the old Disney Magazine (next to last issue), am a subscriber to Celebrations Magazine and eagerly awaiting the next issue (April/May 2009). I have something posted on my private blog that I will move here eventually.
I will also note for you all that the info here is from my point of view and my experience. There is a chance I may have some wrong info. I admit, to others astonishment, that I am not perfect. LOL If I have some bad info, I apologize.
(Note about the Disney Tunes: yes, I know Anastasia wasn't a Disney Movie... but I love it all the same.)
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