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.

Disney Information Sites

There are so many places to get Disney information. Sometimes, there is misinformation from rumors and so forth and of course, many that hold one's own opinion. This is what my blog is at part, as a prime example... my thoughts of the new fireworks show at MK with the Summer Nightastic. Regardless, of my opinion, mine isn't meant to sway someone one way or another. It's just my opinion. Today's blog, is to give other options of sites to help find information and other opinions. Some are blogs I follow. This is just a few.... there are many other sites out there.

Official Disney Sites

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/

http://www.facebook.com/WaltDisneyWorld

http://www.youtube.com/DisneyParks
http://twitter.com/waltdisneyworld

http://espnwwos.disney.go.com/

DVC

http://disneyvacationclub.disney.go.com/

member login

Other sites and podcasts

http://allears.net/index.html

http://www.wdwinfo.com/

http://www.disboards.com/

http://www.wdwtoday.com/

http://www.wdwradio.com/

http://www.mousesavers.com/

Blogs I follow that have information
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/

http://disneydaddy.blogspot.com/

http://www.mainstgazette.com/

http://disneyobsession.blogspot.com/

http://www.disneybyjoe.com/

Other Disney's

Disneyland

Disneyland Paris

Email for getting that item you forgot: wdw.mail.order@disneyworld.com

Return of Main Street Electric Light Parade

"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, Disney proudly presents our spectacular festival pageant of nightime magic and imagination in thousands of sparkling lights and electro-synthe-magnetic musical sounds. The Main Street Electrical Parade!"

On Saturday, the 5th of June, the Main Street Electric Light Parade returned to Walt Disney World. I was thrilled to be there for this as it was initially suppose to return on the 6th. I surprisingly wasn't up on the curb of Main Street to watch this, but the magic was still there for me. I was able to see the flash of lights reflecting off the buildings as it headed toward us. I could hear the music and felt people bumps on my skin. Then the lights went out....


Now for me to finally get a view, the floats had to come around the hub and start to cross the bridge into Liberty Square, but there it was... the parade I have missed. Tinkerbell was leading the way in a brand new float. There were 2 other floats that were new. They were with Pinnochio. I have to say though, that I wish they had not removed any floats though... miss seeing the Blue Fairy and Dumbo with the circus.


I saw Goofy in his train and remembered the commercials showing that it was coming back during its last run. They made it look like it was really parading across the US in the commercials. There was Alice and others from Wonderland, the snail, the turtle and my FAVORITE lightning bug! I remember when it left again too. I know at the end of summer, this favorite will once again be gone. I still have the poster that they gave to AP holders (maybe SP too, but I don't remember) when it left. I have pins that light up from it in a shadow box with a postcard of Goofy in the train in front of the castle. I may add the 2 new pins to that.


I will miss it when it is gone, but in the meantime, I welcome it back like I would an old friend who has been away. Thanking in my heart for the time we get to enjoy memories that Disney has brought to us.

Summer Nightastic

On Saturday, I was able to see the new fireworks show at the Magic Kingdom. It's call Summer Nightastic and it was okay. I think I honestly need to see it again before I completely write it off. I thought I read that there was going to be some other effects. Saw a picture somewhere that I can't find that had a picture of Dumbo in it (and it wasn't a Disneyland picture as I know Dumbo flies there). Maybe it was my imagination.


They started out kind of slow with the Fairy Godmother speaking. There was some fighting over the castle being pink or blue from the little fairies from Sleeping Beauty. (Hmmm why would they fight over what color Cinderella's castle is???? Can understand Sleeping Beauty's at Disneyland, but not here.) The pirates took over at one point and the castle was under attack. That was a great effect. It was also a play off of the Pirate and Princess party fireworks. The fireworks were the only good thing about those parties! I want to give it another chance.... there were some cute moments, but overall, they just didn't capture Disney's magic as much as Wishes does. There is something magical for me when I watch Wishes. And Wishes is romantic. I want to see them with that someone special one day and kiss under the falling sparkles of light.


These fireworks are suppose to go only until August 14th. I noticed a sign as I was going to Magic Kingdom that said expect delays nightly for perimeter fireworks.

Kingdom Keepers

On April 6th, the latest book in the Kingdom Keeper series comes out. This is book 3 and it continues just shy of where it left off. I was able to read the first 2 chapters today. I am looking forward to this book coming out.


For those who haven't read these books, it's a lot of fun for any age. I was given my first copy prior to my trip to Disneyland for "inflight reading only" I was told.  I read all but a couple chapters on that flight. While I was at DL, I bought the second part. I read that one mostly on the way back. Having to wait 4 months was okay, but hope he is writing for the next one. My mom has enjoyed it too. I even just bought my niece books 1 and 2 for her move to Colorado to have something to read while she and her friends drive across country.


I don't want to spoil anything from the books. I recommend you go and buy them or go to the library to get them. You can even get them on iTunes audiobooks.


Rumor was too that there was to be a movie.


OH! One final thing.... Ridley Pearson is going to be at WDW at DTD for a book signing on April 6th and Epcot on the 7th.

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).