A Time Honored Tradition Ends

I remember my sister getting ready to go to Walt Disney World for Grad Night in 1982. I couldn't wait to go! I thought how cool it would be to go and have the Magic Kingdom into the middle of the night. Hearing stories of things that happend each year that others went before my time. Finally, in 1986, it came.

This has been a tradition for Florida high school seniors for almost 40 years. Traveling from all over the state and even from out of state to have a night with fellow seniors. This year is the last of the events. Disney released a statement saying basically, that with the increase of park attendence, that it is hard for them to shut the park down early for an event like this. They have offered an alternative though to Florida school groups. They can get a 1 day, 1 park ticket for any time in the year for $55. The difference here though, the park isn't going to be open to just these kids anymore with special concerts, dance parties and unlimited rides.

Added to the Online Dining Reservations

This is going to be a great help to those who are wanting to book meals that can become great memories. They Disney team has added the opportunity to book the Candlelight Dinner Package, Fantasmic! Dinner Package, Tomorrowland Terrace Fireworks Dessert Party, Dine With an Imagineer and Chef’s Tasting Wine Dinner at the Flying Fish Café. I have not booked any of these through the online dining reservations, but have enjoyed the dining packages for both the Candlelight Processional and Fantasmic! Dinner package. I will enjoy being able to see what is available when planning for a trip and wanting to add the Fireworks Dessert Pary at Tomorrowland Terrace or Dine With an Imagineer.


I hope that if you do any of these that you have a great meal with wonderful memories!

Upcoming Trips

I have a couple upcoming trips this year and 3-4 involve family. I can hardly wait! 2 of those still have to be booked. I am waiting for some confirmation on when my 25th HS reunion is so I can plan around that if I need to. Have some great things planned for the first big trip that is coming up soon enough. Not going all out for planning but just here and there. We are all excited for it though. My sister, niece, mom and I had discussed of it today over lunch. I will be calling Disney in a couple weeks to make some new additions after talking about some ideas today. So much we want to do and wondering if there is enough time. Could add a night to the beginning and/or the end. If I add it to the end, I would just have to head home in work clothes or check out earlier to get home to change. Hmmm... got an idea =o)

Update to Phone List

Disney Mail Order has a new toll free number: 877-560-6477

Give Kids the World

I have been familar to an extent about Give Kid the World (GKTW). It is very similar to the Make a Wish Foundation. My cousin's son had the Make a Wish wish granted, so when I saw this challenge that the GKTW has going on this weekend, I definitely was going to participate.

The challenge is the "Power of 10". "10,000 People asking 10 friends to donate $10. That's $1 Million to help children with life threatening illness' to visit the most magical place on earth!"

I have challenged my friends to this challenge. Would love to see them step up. I know a few are living tightly from check to check. I'm doing the same thing right now myself, but there are times when something small can be so big. I did the text DISGKTW to 50555 and $10 is going to be charged to my next phone bill. Not even directly out of your pocket. Skip the 2-3 overpriced cups of coffee, skip the lunch for a day or two that you buy and bring lunch instead, etc.

Have you heard the GREAT, WONDERFUL news?!

"The Adventurer's Club is returning!!!" I had heard from a CM friend about this back in November, but this is the closest to an official announcement I have heard yet. You want to forward it to about 5:50 to get to the information. I really hope this isn't false hope.

Holiday Tradition Continues

This past weekend, my mom and I continued our annual weekend trip to Disney. We missed last year because of my car accident and her incident. This year, my sister was able to come and join us. We saw the Candlelight Processional, the Osbourne lights and the Dreamlights on the castle. The castle was stunning as always and the fog made it even more of a delight... including when the fog caused the castle to disappear from sight.

For the Candlelight Processional, we had lunch at San Angel Inn (something I can check off). Not somewhere I would normally pick to eat at, but was very nice. The narrator we had was Thomas Gibson, from "Darma and Greg" and "Criminal Minds". He read very well.

The last thing we did was go to the Grand Floridian to see the Gingerbread house. We had some photos taken there which I need to take a look at. They will be very special to us.

Annual Pass and Payment Plan

I took advantage of the payment plan that Disney is offering to Florida residents. Mainly because of the holidays and wanting to do more for others. I am able to pay monthly increments of about $30 but can pay it off sooner, which I will probably do. I think that it is great that they have offered this. The renewal of a pass, as mine was, allowed me to not have to pay the down payment. This also increased the monthly payments that run about $16 for a non-renewal.

My Joy of Tea

I really am thankful to a the person who introduced me to tea at the Grand Floridian Tea Room. I wish I could get a time for my mom and I for the holidays, but when we are there, they are booked. I am not surprised though. The Red Hatter's are there a lot  for the holidays and with the draw of the gingerbread house. I will get my mom there again at some point. I am starting to plan some for her 80th birthday. I have a couple years for it, but want it to be good. She enjoys having tea there also so I am sure that will be part of it.

There was a subtle change that was noted when I went recently. The tea sandwiches use to have a shrimp salad, an almond chicken salad and then watercrest. The shrimp and almond chicken were changed because of allergies. The replacements are an open faced salmon and a curry chicken salad. The watercrest is now chopped up and in a spread. They kept the egg salad and the garganzola pear.

You can bring home the some of the moment you have at tea by getting their signature teas to go, the gift shop and England's tea shop you can get the cup and saucer set... or my mom's favorite, bring home some scones and devonshire cream. I did that this last trip for her and she really enjoyed them. Maybe a good gift for the holidays? Make a tea basket. (side note: I have gotten the cup and saucer for gifts, but not at Disney. Local department stores have the pattern and much less in cost.)

Whatever your favorite, take time to explore new ones. Take time to relax during the day, and have your cup of tea. The holidays are fast approaching and we all need to take care of ourselves. Make sure you take some time each day for you.

*edit 11/8/2010: I learned this weekend that a friend is opening a tea business. Going to be doing some craft work for her I think. Hope this works well for her. Not going to be a shop... more along lines of mail order or home shows I think.

*edit 11/19/2010: Learned that a Tea and Spice shop opened up at Downtown Disney. Very nice! Hope to see it soon. (Disappointing)

*edit 4/12/2011: The tea sandwiches changed again. Almost back to the original ones.

New DVC???

It appears that the beginning signs of a new DVC are in the works after all. Now the CM who brought it up to me in May 2009, made me think of a couple of the resorts that never came to be. This one isn't where I thinking but still comes to the MK area. There has been some permits drawn up for the River Country area that are leading people to think that this is the area. This was located over at the Ft. Wilderness Campground area. (This also is near the new private development where Disney has opened Golden Oaks and with the Four Season's hotel.)

DVC had done some survey/questionnaires, asking if you would want a resort where you could bring your pet, would you like this or that. I wonder if this is something that they will be incorporating into this resort.

I think that I would expand my points to own here. The only downfall I can see, being a Florida resident, is that water brings mosquitoes. LOL I would like it though for sitting out watching the sunrise over the water.

One other bit of info to throw out there that I haven't seen elsewhere. As of October 21st or 22nd, 2010, the Dining Plan is now something you have to pay for when you book it vs. paying for it when you check in.

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.

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.

Happy Birthday Walt Disney World!!!

Today is the 39th Birthday of the Walt Disney Resort in Florida. The resort started out with just the Magic Kingdom, Fort Wilderness Campground, and 2 hotels, the Polynesian and the Contemporary. Now it is 4 parks, 2 water parks, shopping area, and over 23 hotels now (not all Disney owned) and a campground.

The Kitchen Sink

Over by Epcot, between the Yacht and Beach Club resorts, is a small little shoppe called Beaches and Cream. They serve a select variety of sandwiches and fountain drinks including floats, sundaes and shakes. One of their famous items is the the Kitchen Sink. When one is ordered, lights flash and a server brings out a most delicious sundae that is served in a kitchen sink bowl. The server goes through her little announcement with the patrons replying "A whole can?!"

What do you find in the Kitchen Sink? There are eight scoops of chocolate, strawberry, mint chocolate chip, vanilla and coffee ice creams. It is then covered with fudge, strawberry, pineapple and caramel toppings, along with almonds, Oreos, Snickers, brownies, Angelfood cake. To top it off, a whole can of whip cream and cherries. Easily serves 4 or more for $23.99