Food and Wine Festival

The festival kicked off this past weekend in Epcot at the Walt Disney World resort. The weather couldn't have been better! The longer lines were at Germany, Brussels, France, and Canada. Germany was out of the Pilsner when we stopped there. Will go back to try Brussels again since we bypassed that line. I did get a couple bottles of wine. I want to go back to get more of one of them and the other is a gift. Looking forward to sharing time there with friends when I go back in a couple weeks. I would like to get some recipes about a couple items I tasted. Didn't go to watch the concert for Eat to the Beat series, but could hear it from where we decided to watch the fireworks at. It was a great day! Hope you can get there to enjoy it.

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.

Happy Thoughts

A friend asked me today "What is your Disney Happy Thought?" What make you happiest at Disney?


I wasn't that sure at first whether that meant at Disney or in general. Hence the repeat of the statement. That was easy. The Castle. Wishes. But then I started thinking about it more. There are many, many happy thoughts that I have when I go to Disney. But the Castle is something I look for when I come over the overpass on 429. Now I could see it better before BLT was built but I still can find it. One happy thought I haven't had yet, is sharing it with that someone special. We are trying, but it's just not in the cards yet.


Some others that come to mind: the cast members that I have become friends with, driving under the gate when coming onto property, the music that makes part of streetmosphere, Main Street Electric Light Parade, the lightning bug from this parade, Cinderella's wishing well, sharing the magic with friends, rides that make me smile like POTC, HM, BTMRR (especially at night), RnR, Soarin', Illuminations, the exit song to Epcot, the Goodnight Kiss from the Castle, Cinderella's carrousel, dole whips, pink mickey mouse balloons... the little details in places where you don't quite expect them, people waving back when you wave and some of the resorts.

2010 Food and Wine Eat to the Beat Concert series

Another great selection has been made for the concert series. I just wish I had that day of in the middle of the week like I use to have! Food and Wine begins in Epcot October 1st and ends November 14th. The concerts are held over at the American Pavillion in the America Gardens Theater. Shows are  at 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45pm.

10/01 - 10/03 - Taylor Dayne

10/04 - 10/05 - Kool & The Gang

10/06 - 10/08 - Sugar Ray

10/09 - 10/10 - Taylor Hicks

10/11- 10/12 - Air Supply

10/13 - 10/15 - Sister Hazel*

10/16 - 10/17 - Howard Jones

10/18 - 10/19 - Expose

10/20 - 10/21 - 38 Special*

10/22 - 10/24 - Night Ranger*

10/25 - 10/27 - Billy Ocean

10/28 - 10/31 - Starship starring Mickey Thomas

11/01 - 11/03 - Boyz II Men*

11/04 - 11/05 - Roger Hodgson

11/06 - 11/07 - Jon Secada*

11/08 - 11/09 - Hanson

11/10 - 11/11 - Rick Springfield*

11/12 - 11/14 - Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

* are the concerts I would really like to see this year.

Flower and Garden Festival 2010

This year's Flower and Garden Festival is starting earlier this year, which also means it is ending earlier. The dates are 3rd March through 16th May. I am hoping to make a couple of the concerts this year on my weekends off. Also looking forward to just meander around World Showcase and maybe getting some new photos here and there. I like to watch some of the random demonstrations too and then the different kiosks that are there (looking forward to seeing Heather French and what new art she may have come up with). And end the evening watching Illuminations or a run to Magic Kingdom to see Wishes.

Featuring music from the 60's and 70's (Show Location America Gardens Theatre): Show times 5:15pm, 6:30pm &7:45pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

3/05 - 3/07: Jose Feliciano
3/12 - 3/14: Paul Revere & The Raiders
3/19 - 3/21: David Cassidy
3/26 - 3/28: Starship Starring Mickey Thomas
4/02 - 4/04: Tony Orlando
4/09 - 4/11: Herman's Hermits Starring Peter Noone
4/16 - 4/18: Ricky Nelson Remembered featuring The Nelsons
4/23 - 4/25: Atlanta Rhythm Section
4/30 - 5/02: Fran Cosmo/Boston (70's)
5/07 - 5/09: Davy Jones (60's)
5/14 - 5/16: Chubby Checker & The Wildcats (60's)
Note: The concert schedule is subject to change without notice

Food and Wine Festival

In just under 2 weeks, Epcot will be welcoming many to 7 weeks of wonderful food and wine from all over the world. I was at Epcot yesterday and they are already have the kiosks set up. There wasn't any topiaries set up yet, which were sparse last year, IMO. Last year was actually the most disappointing year with the way it was done... but that didn't keep me from going or enjoying it. There is a wide variety of things to do.

They have the Eat to the Beat concerts (see list below), Wine Seminars*, Taste Seminars**, Culinary demonstrations**, and then some things like a taste of Italy, a Beer Hop, and many sample size offerings of food and wine from all over. There are countries that you find in World Showcase that are also represented (France, Germany, Canada, etc) and then you have Greece, New Zealand, Ireland, India, Spain and more. New this year is going to be Thailand and Brazil... and also a dessert and champagne kiosk. The cost for the samplings vary from $3 to up to $7-8. It's a good place to try things you wouldn't try and take a step to go beyond your boundries. (I tried escargot and pickled octopus there and liked them both.)

Bon Appetit!!!

Eat to the Beat Concerts:
09/25 - 09/27 - Big Bad Voo Doo Daddy
09/28 - 09/29 - Richard Marx
09/30 - 10/03 - Starships with Mickey Thomas
10/04 - 10/06 - En Vogue
10/07- 10/08 - Better than Ezra
10/09 - 10/11 - Sister Hazel
10/12 - 10/13 - Kool and the Gang
10/14 - 10/16 - Spyro Gyra
10/17 - 10/18 - Jon Secada
10/19 - 10/20 - Sister Sledge
10/21 - 10/22 - Vanessa Carlton
10/23 - 10/25 - Taylor Dayne
10/26 - 10/28 - Boyz II Men
10/29 - 10/31 - John Waite
11/01 - 11/02 - Taylor Hicks
11/03 - 11/05 - Billy Ocean
11/06 - 11/08 - Los Lobos

* Wine Seminars
Epcot Adventures in Wine Varietals Epcot
Wine Schools
Food and Wine Pairings

** Taste Seminars/Culinary Demostrations
Celebrating Family and Friends in the Kitchen
French Regional Lunch Series
A Party for the Senses Signature Dinners
Sweet Sundays

MNSSHP Kickoff

Tonight was the first night of the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. Fall has arrived at WDW when the decorations went up over a week ago. Made my day when I saw a text picture from a friend showing me that. We are heading into my favorite time of year... Fall.

There is a lot to do at the MNSSHP. You can go to dance parties, trick or treat at special spots through out the park, ride the rides, watch the parade (which is the highlight of the night) not once but twice, see Hallo-Wishes and the ultimate of all things is for just a bit... is to see the Headless Horseman ride! This is the must NOT be missed.. if even for one time. The parade itself is a not to miss too, especially with the ghosts and the gravediggers. Oh, and look for the caretaker and his dog from the HM! For the trick or treating part, WDW gives you bags to collect all the sweets you can. The cast members are a lot of fun too!

Don't forget you can dress up for this party! I have seen a variety of themes in the park. The best was a group who dressed up as characters from the Adventurer's Club. I have seen group as Peter Pan, Wendy, Tink, Michael and John... oh, and some lost boys! Saw theme of 101 Dalmations, Snow White, Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland. Some friends and I talked about doing that for this year, when the trip was really big, but it didn't pan out.

The music is addictive and I can hardly wait to change my phone ringtone to "Boo to You". I did it last year and it was a huge hit =0) There are many photo options and don't forget to use your photopass. There was a ghost added into the photo at the HM which was pretty cool. There are also banners that can be added online when you edit the pictures.

Happy Trick or Treating!

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:

• Must be 21 or older with photo ID
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  $10 cover charge
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  Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express and Diner’s Club accepted
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  Open 7p.m.-2a.m., music starts at 8p.m.
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  7 days a week, 365 days a year
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  No smoking
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  Free popcorn
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  Alcohol, beer, soda and wine served
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  Casual dress, shirt and shoes required
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  Handicap Accessible
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  No video taping please
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  Please, don’t shoot the piano player… he’s trying very hard!