Doug Travels Orlando

First Stop on Arrival at Walt Disney World – The Earl

Published on January 4, 2017 in Walt Disney World by Doug Wilcoxon

Does your family have a first stop when arriving at Walt Disney World?

Some family traditions are handed down from generation to generation, but ours started because we are always hungry after the long drive to Walt Disney World. Some families surely make their first stop the Magic Kingdom, Epcot or maybe a ride on the monorail. We owned our tradition. We looked forward to the Earl first, then we could focus our satisfied appetites on Walt Disney World, because exploring the world cannot be done on an empty stomach.

One would think it easy, for a family of four, to come to an agreement regarding dining at WDW with the multitude of various options, but it seemed the only place we agreed upon was the dinner at Earl of Sandwich. Destination Disney Springs, the locale formally known as Downtown Disney, and a beeline to the Earl was always the first stop after checking into the resort. Everyone has more than one favorite and never a complaint was muttered.

“The World’s Greatest Hot Sandwich” – could they make that claim if it wasn’t true?

A quick peruse through their website shows they are in more than one location… who knew? The website shows they are located in Downtown Disney Anaheim and Disney Springs Lake Buena Vista, FL. Disney lovers can enjoy tasty sandwiches on both coasts. Don’t let me lead you to believe those are the only two locations, because that is not the case. There are quite a few, and one may be in a city near you.

Typically with most sandwich joints I stick to one type, but here at the Earl I like to mix it up. I have yet to try the veggie. It does look good, but when there is the All American, Ham ‘N’ Swiss, the Italian, or Holiday Turkey year round, the Original 1762 is another favorite. Here are some photos, some dating to around 2013. Notice the consistency throughout the year.

I’m guessing here, but this has to one of the best sellers. How can one go wrong with Salami, capicola, ham, mortadella mozzarella, Roma tomato, Italian seasoning & Italian dressing.

A look inside the magic. I think the bread makes these sandwiches unique.

This one isn’t on the website menu. Will investigate its whereabouts.

Full disclosure here… I don’t know what this sandwich is, but in the interest of complete coverage I will visit the Earl this weekend and not leave until this sandwich is identified.

There is usually a line for this attraction. This is a typical view upon arrival. Don’t let it worry you though, because the line moves fairly fast. The adjacent gift shop had shared an interior door with the Earl, but it has been closed up. I can only assume because the line would wrap into the store and impede vacationers from spending money. Regardless, get in line, look at the menu, and prepare to change your mind a few times before you get to the register.

Pay attention to this sign. When you place your order at the other end of the counter you do not pay. Just place the order and move along… keep that line moving…

Grilled chicken, ham Swiss, pineapple & BBQ sauce. Yum Yum

The sandwiches not only take good pictures, but their tasty too!

Every now and then I throw a wrap into the mix. Mostly I stick with the Thai Chicken Wrap. It tasty and crispy. The sweet chili sauce will build the heat slow, but heat you up by the time you finish the sandwich. It is my standard wrap. Don’t forget your toothpick with the wrap, don’t want Mickey looking at tortilla leftovers between your teeth. Tried the Buffalo Chicken wrap recently, while good, The Thai Chicken Wrap is still my favorite.

There are other items on the menu, but other than the pasta salad (which is usually my side), I haven’t tried them. The sandwiches are enough to keep on a rotation. Once the craving is satisfied for one sandwich I can move on to another the next visit. We still visit here often even though we no longer make those long drives. It’s one of our go to places.

Can’t Get Enough of Amorette’s Cakes

Published on January 3, 2017 in Walt Disney World by Doug Wilcoxon

Every visit to Disney Springs brings us for a stroll through Amorette’s. The cakes are works of art. We also enjoy talking with the employees who are more than happy to discuss the cakes or answer any questions you may have. Unfortunately as of this post we haven’t purchased a cake, but I made it my number one New Year’s Resolutions.

I wanted to share a photo of a cake that will be “the cake” when we make a purchase so that I can complete at least one New Year’s Resolution.

Every layer sounds delicious. The smudge in the picture was on the glass separating the viewing public from the cakes. I can only assume some youngster or a near sighted adult took a very close look at the card. Cake cost $75.00

There isn’t much that can be said. I am looking forward to sampling this cake. Do you eat it a layer at a time or by multiple layers? That slice is about right for me… proportionally speaking.

On one of the very few cold days so far this year we tried Amorette’s Hot Chocolate Ganache. It is a very thick 4 oz. serving and was described as a hot chocolate espresso. Sadly it wasn’t to my liking. It was a bit too intense for my taste. I would like to hear from someone who drinks espresso and could provide a comparison.

Looking at Amorette’s website, the Signature Cake is now listed at $85.00. The photo was taken December 4th. I better hurry, that’s increasing faster than my New Year’s Resolutions excuses.

Random Review of Walt Disney World 2016 Christmas Decorations

Published on January 2, 2017 in Walt Disney World by Doug Wilcoxon

The greatest Christmas light display on the face of planet earth was discontinued this year and we all are a bit wistful because of its absence. Because of the technological wonders of mobile devices we don’t have to rely just on our memory to relive the glory of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights, but we can purview our thousands of digital photos to bring the moment back to clarity. Before the 2016 review here is a moment from 2013, the first time we visited the display.

Snow falls in Florida at Disney Hollywood Studios during the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. 2013.

Typically I don’t care to have the Cinderella’s Castle covered in anything, it alone is a beautiful building which does a fine job projecting the image of the Happiest Place on Earth. When we visited during the birthday celebration, it was transformed into a cake. Initially I thought it was pretty creative, and it was, but I really missed the castle. But in the case of the lights at Christmas, they complement the castle perfectly. This is one of my favorite times to see it all aglow.

The Magic Kingdom is festive from the entrance to the castle. Main Street USA is well decorated and always an enjoyable stroll, but the decorations tend to drop off as you enter the other lands.

On the second floor of the Main Street Railroad Station, two decorated trees frame the ticket window. Simply done by today’s standards, but a perfect fit for the era portrayed. This is a good place to get a birds eye view of Main Street. It was fairly crowded, but we weren’t elbowing our fellow travelers trying to get a good picture. There was room for everyone except you had to be quick on your feet if you wanted a bench seat. The benches are valued real estate.

My wife and I enjoy viewing the Christmas decorations at the resorts more than the parks. One of our favorites is the Port Orleans French Quarter Resort. You may say “Hey, that’s not a Deluxe Resort!” and you would be correct, but first it is a sentimental favorite because we spent our vacations here when our kids were youngsters. Second, we like the look of the French Quarter Ironwork and the vibrant colors used in the decorations. We spent many vacations at the French Quarter Resort until we joined the Disney Vacation Club and the kids fell in love with the Boardwalk swimming pool and waterslide.

Close up of the decorations of a Christmas tree in the Port Orleans French Quarter Resort lobby. Masks galore.

On display in the lobby are gingerbread houses created by the employees. These are judged, though I am not sure by who, and ribbons are awarded. These pictures are of the top two entrants at Port Orleans French Quarter. It is fun to look at and amazing to see the creative people who work within the resort.

Santa has been cut from the picture. Obviously I’m not a professional photographer. I liked the look of the bridge and the icing icicles in this display. Also note that there was lighting under the snow along the perimeter. It was a nice touch, unfortunately I was so impressed by the setup I forgot to snap a photo. I don’t recall what it was displaying. Maybe next year.

A castle with Micky and Minnie silhouettes and coconut snow. Notice the purple firework and fireworks smoke trail overhead. Another creative idea.

Last year the Boardwalk Resort had a large gingerbread house where they sold treats. This year there was no house (maybe the gingerbread house bubble burst), but a table was set up for kids to do some holiday crafts. We watched for a bit, but didn’t take any pictures of the festivities. The kids were having a great time. A table was decorating cookies and one young boy placed about a half pound of various color icing on his cookie. By far my favorite cookie, not for creativity, but for icing quantity.

Lots of poinsettias used in the flowerbeds make for a colorful contrast with the greenery and the large tree provides a focal point on the Boardwalks Village Green.

The lobby of the Boardwalk Resort is beautiful without the decorations. The oversize garland fits superbly with the decor. This is a shot along the back wall of the lobby before exiting onto the veranda. (Can you call it a porch at a deluxe resort?)

Just outside the back door of the Boardwalk Resort Lobby, the veranda overlooks the Boardwalk’s Village Green, these stairs take guests to the Boardwalk. More large and in charge garland on display along the stair railing.

Garland along the stair railing lit up for the evening. I wanted to see the contrast of the daylight and evening decoration. Of course with the benefit of the twinkling lights it always seems more magical at night, but the daytime decorations hold their own.

When you visit Disney Springs and drive by the full Lime Garage and drive by the full Orange Garage, the surface lot, across the Sassagoula River from Sarasota Springs Resort usually has a place to park. At the entrance from the surface lot stood this display. I like the display, but looking at it now it kind of reminds me of Stargate SG1. Hopefully no one stepped through the portal.

Walking along the lakefront past Bongo’s Cuban Cafe stood this interesting tree. It is a unique tree and the lights in the blue globes set it off. I haven’t seen it before, but we didn’t make many trips to Disney during the holidays so it may only be new to me. Either way, its a fun tree.

That’s it for our random walk through the resorts and a couple of the parks. I know there is much more out there at Walt Disney World, but maybe next year after the Thanksgiving turkey has settled we can hit the parks early, burn some holiday calories and enjoy a chaser Turkey Leg (except at Animal Kingdom).

My runDisney Experience

Published on January 2, 2017 in Walt Disney World by Crystal Boston

Are you thinking about participating in a runDisney event? In 2016 I experienced several runDisney events. My goal for 2016 was to run my very first Half Marathon events and earn my Coast to Coast Race Challenge medal. I wanted to get a feel for the runDisney race experience before I jumped right into the qualifying events to earn my Coast to Coast Race Challenge so I started with the Princess 5K at Walt Disney World Resort in February then moved up to the Star Wars Dark Side 10K in April, also at Walt Disney World Resort and finished my year with the Disneyland Half Marathon in California in September and the big finale was the Wine and Dine Half Marathon back at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida! Each event was so different yet had similarities and it was an amazing year of runDisney!
runDisney events are held on weekends, typically beginning on Thursday, ending on Sunday. There is always an Expo for each event and I recommend going to the Expo as early as possible as I found that popular items sell out quickly. You will also receive a t-shirt for each race you are registered for and a finishers medal for each race you complete. Also, runDisney will provide you with a course map prior to your event date. Each race has a bit different course due to the length differences.

With my first event, the Princess 5K at Walt Disney World Resort, we met at Epcot at 5 am and it was a very chilly morning for Florida. I had a little time before heading to my corral to enjoy the pre-party with DJ and character photo opportunities. I ended up in corral B so I had a quick start once the race got underway. The course took us around Epcot’s parking lots on surface roads and then through some backstage areas before moving through the World Showcase and then Future World, finishing near the Start line in the parking area. It was pretty magical to run through Epcot in the dark without the crowds and it was a great introduction to the runDisney events!

For my second event, the Star Wars Dark Side 10K at Walt Disney World Resort, we met in the parking lot at Epcot again. This time the course took us through Epcot and then out the International Gateway and around the Boardwalk before heading over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and finishing at ESPN Wide World of Sports. Again, it was very magical to experience this side of Disney! There were, once again, DJ’s, character photo opportunities and entertainment before and after the event as well as on the race course – this time Star Wars themed! This was a tougher course with some unpaved roads and paths near the end. I was happy it hadn’t or wasn’t raining as then we would have been running a ‘tough mudder’ and, well, that’s not what I signed up for… Disney provided buses to return us to our resorts or cars parked at Epcot. The bus lines for this event were very long and I waited approximately one hour for a bus. Even though this was a bit more challenging course, I did enjoy it more.

Now, for my Disneyland Half Marathon, this was my first experience back at Disneyland in California since June of 2004 so this was going to be a pretty amazing and magical experience for me even without the half marathon experience! Again, Disney offered pre and post-race entertainment, character photo opportunities and DJ’s as well as on the course. The course took us through both parks, Disneyland and California Adventure, and I must admit, I did become a little teary-eyed when running through Cars Land in California Adventure as this was my first experience in that new Disney land. It was so spectacular and I just took it all in!! This was a very easy course and we had amazing California weather! The course took us through the streets of Anaheim and we even ran through the Angels Stadium. There were locals on the sidelines cheering us on during the entire race, it was so wonderfully overwhelming how they came out to support us! The locals even cheered us on with their participation in a car show through an extensive part of our run which concluded with a Lightning McQueen look-alike. Bus service was provided for all participants and the only snag I experienced with this event was the huge backup at security as Disneyland only offered one security checkpoint at the main entrance to the “Disney areas” and runners and general guests were all trying to get through the same security checkpoints. Needless to say, these lines were very long! My goal for this race, which was my very first Half Marathon, was to finish in 3 hours and I finished just under! This was a great course and experience and I highly recommend it for anyone thinking about a runDisney event.

And, for my big finale, I completed the Wine and Dine Half Marathon at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and earned my Coast to Coast Race Challenge medal! As usual there was ample entertainment, DJ’s and character photo opportunities before after and during the event. The course took us through all of the Disney parks except Magic Kingdom and we also ran on Disney owned surface streets and backstage areas. The entertainment was varied with many different Disney characters and musical entertainment. Our 4 am morning did start out a bit cool but we enjoyed exceptional weather, without the usual Florida humidity, so that helped to make this race a bit easier to get through. This was the first year this race was held in the morning, they have always held this race at night but have experienced inclement weather the past couple of years. In Florida, it tends to rain or storm at night but our mornings are usually nice so, my guess is, that is the reason for the time change. With the good weather, I had a great run for my second half marathon and finished in 2 hours and 48 minutes!

If you are considering participating in any runDisney event, we are a preferred runDisney Travel Provider and I hope that you will also consider reaching out to me to help you book and plan your resort stay and participation! Participating in a runDisney race event is truly a magical experience and I think everyone that loves Disney should at least try it once!

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Happy New Year – 2017

Published on January 1, 2017 in Florida Locales by Doug Wilcoxon

The year 2016 came and went in the blink of an eye and here I sit with a clean slate of possibilities for 2017. All the 2016 resolutions will roll over to the new year in order to start anew. The year 2016 completes our first full year in Florida and there are a few things of note that you don’t think much about when you are living in the midwest. Here are few things I have learned this past year…

The palm trees in the yard need to be trimmed quite often. I only trimmed the trees in the north when a branch was sickly. Here the fronds begin to droop and brown. Ours (queen palm) produces a fruit bundle that weighs 40 to 50 pounds, which if not cut soon begin to drop the small balls which kind of stink up the yard. It also produces a long spear that can provide a nice puncture wound or rip one of the screens on the lanai. Which brings us to the next item.
The lanai. I always called it a screened in porch growing up in Illinois, but here it is a lanai. Either way I’m not complaining. It does sound more relaxing when you say “I’m going to hang on the lanai” The origin is Hawaiian so there you go.
It’s easy to weed the flower beds or anywhere for that matter. The whole yard is sand. Hidden under the grass is sand… and lots of it. Many times when Dad had me digging holes in Illinois I would mutter my dislike for the clay soil that seemed to be everywhere in our yard. In Florida the muttering is at a minimum when I break out the shovel.
There is a reason the retired folks head south in the winter. It is downright beautiful weather in the winter months. Those months when I was shoveling snow, chipping ice, power sliding in the school parking lot (I do miss that), are forgotten when you are debating whether to wear the white shorts after labor day or bring a jacket to the park because it might get a bit chilly when the sun goes down on a beautiful January day. For comparison… here is a shot of our Indiana driveway after a January 2014 snow and a Walt Disney World Monorail shot from January 2015.

There is a reason the retired folks head north at the winter’s end. It gets smokin hot in the summer. Heat and humidity are both high. It makes it hard to breathe sometimes for new runners like myself, but moderation is the key with lots of liquids.
Walt Disney World cannot be done in a day, a week or even a year. There is so much to see and do. The World is huge and depending on the current “stage” of your life not everything may appeal to you, but there is something for everyone. You may feel you have outgrown something, but rest assured there will be 20 things waiting to take its place. You may outgrow it, move on, and then come back years later appreciating it from a different perspective that can only come with your increased years on planet earth.
It is hard to work for a living in the vacation kingdom of Orlando. There is so much you want to see, activities you want to do, but one still needs to earn a living, mow the lawn, trim the palm trees, and maintain the house.

They say you can’t do it all, but this year were going to get as close to “all” as humanly possible. Here is to a Happy and Healthy 2017 wherever you may find yourself.

Independence Day Celebration – Walt Disney World Resort

Published on December 11, 2016 in Walt Disney World by Crystal Boston

As with any Disney experience, Independence Day celebrations throughout Walt Disney World Resort parks will not disappoint! And if you are thinking about celebrating the Independence Day holiday at Walt Disney World Resort, now is the time to confirm your resort reservation.

If you plan to experience the holiday celebrations I highly recommend planning for both July 3 and July 4 to be sure to see it all!

“Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky” is a special fireworks display above Cinderella’s Castle at Magic Kingdom Park presented on both July 3 and 4 at 9 p.m while Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios celebrate only on July 4.

At Magic Kingdom Park, in my opinion, the best spot to view the fireworks from is the hub in front of Cinderella’s Castle. “Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky” is a spectacular celebration of freedom with a dazzling stage show and an astonishing fireworks display choreographed to music! The park stays open late so after fireworks you can plan to enjoy dinner at Be Our Guest Restaurant or Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen – remember to make your advance dining reservations!

Just a quick note about viewing areas – when viewing from the hub area in front of the castle, you can see the stage show as well as the fireworks above. You can also experience the spectacular fireworks show from all around Magic Kingdom Park as well as from the resorts around the Magic Kingdom Park area. If you happen to be close to the Fantasyland area, you can get a great view of the fireworks overhead, the Beast’s Enchanted Castle is a good location to view from too. These areas are less crowded and you can hear the music and see the fireworks show, you just won’t be able to see the stage show.

Both Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot will also offer Independence Day fireworks and celebrations only on July 4th. Each park will display their normal “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Fireworks” and “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” and each will include the addition of an all-American grand finale celebrating the United States of America. Epcot’s Independence Day fireworks display is typically at 10 pm and Disney’s Hollywood Studios is typically at 10:15 pm so you would not be able to experience both… In my opinion, the all-American grand finale at Epcot is simply AMAZING (I may have even cried a little)!! And, – if you are lucky enough to experience a little bonus pixie dust – once the Epcot fireworks end, depending on where you are viewing from, stick around for a bit because you just might be able to clearly see Disney’s Hollywood Studios fireworks display, which is also spectacular!

And even though Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park does not offer any special Independence Day festivities, don’t skip a visit to this park – it also offers exciting experiences to explore. Many store and restaurant fronts have been refurbished and you can enjoy a quick service lunch at Harambe Market. Harambe Market is an outdoor marketplace with African-inspired street food at four walk-up windows and plenty of shaded seating. Offerings include Grilled Chicken Skewer and Sausage Fried in Curried Corn Batter, both come with a light Roasted Broccoli and Tomato Salad. Also offered are ribs and a beef kabob flatbread.

An Independence Day celebration at Walt Disney World Resort is definitely a magical experience. Crowd levels are typically higher, but my experience has been lighter than anticipated. And while it is hot during the day, it is bearable. Just remember to take breaks often, drink water and look for inside experiences available at all parks. I highly recommend the July 4th holiday as a good time to visit Walt Disney World Resort!

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Ghirardelli makes a stop at Epcot Food and Wine

Published on October 22, 2016 in Walt Disney World by Doug Wilcoxon

20160919_115744-1 — A great view as we near the festival center. In the “old” days this probably would have qualified as a Kodak Picture Spot.

The Festival Center at Epcot is a giant building tucked away between the Universe of Energy and Mission Space. Tucked away as best a giant building can be, with some strategic landscaping and other giant buildings on either side for disguise. Apparently the future consisted of large buildings and not tiny houses… but I digress. The festival building is the building formally known as The Wonders of Life Pavilion. I’m all in with Wonder… and Life, but this “demoted from the ranks” pavilion, like Pluto or Lake Champlain, didn’t really draw our families attention during the yearly visits in the 2000’s, we never made an appearance at this pavilion.

That is… not until 2016 when taking a break from the food and the wine we decided to see what the festival building had in its friendly confines (Cubs reference). I would say it is exactly as described. A festival center. There were more people hanging around than I expected. The gift shop was doing a brisk business, appeared to be few tables available in the cafe… unless this was also the Chew stage… I didn’t look close enough to make the differentiation. I had spotted my Festival Center destination and now wasn’t the time to be window shopping.

20160919_121036 I was truckin by the cafe when my eyes noticed the Ghiradelli sign. Nothing fancy or in huge letters, but the title of the exhibit and name of the sponsor. Always eager to learn about chocolate and nab a complementary Ghirardelli square (my favorite is the salted caramel) there is no time to waste.

In Disney terms it would be considered a fairly simple straightforward display. Around a center console and along the wall is a brief outline of the process from which chocolate is derived. Good… interesting… you won’t have to jockey for position to read the story. That’s ok.

Along another wall is a series of what I would refer to as dioramas. Each of these dioramas feature scenes containing chocolate sculptures of characters from Disney movies or newly acquired movie franchises… you may know where I’m going with that one… may the force be with you.

From the Festival Center events page, it states the following about the display of chocolate figures… “enjoy amazing chocolate sculptures created by the master chefs at Walt Disney World Resort.” I really enjoyed these sculptures and took a lot of photos. Unfortunately what I didn’t take was the a photos of the creators names of these chocolate masterpieces. You will need to go read those for yourself.

I recommend a side trip to the Festival Center to check out the Ghiradelli carved chocolate scenes. It’s something a bit different than the typical attractions, and it shows the skill and creativity of the these individuals. Maybe I’m not an impartial subject since it reminds me of the sculptured butter cow my Grandma would take me to see each year at the Illinois State Fair. Who doesn’t love carved butter in the shape of a cow. Isn’t it poetic.

The display was enjoyable to my wife and I and there are plenty of photos following that shows my favorites (which is pretty much everything), but we weren’t dragging any kids away from a Frozen meet and greet. Not sure how entranced kids will be with this display. Sure they would like the molded chocolate characters and the nod to Star Wars, but they may not appreciate the talent required or materials used. Certain that they would eat the complimentary chocolate square though.

A Bug’s Life…

20160919_120848 — Heimlich – My favorite character from this movie. A good Heimlich quote for life. “Francis, leave them alone, they are poo-poo heads.”

20160919_120856 — Don’t know these two characters. Can you help me out?

Not from A Bug’s Life…

20160919_120929 — This was a scene with wildlife which was very well done. Not sure what Disney reference from which this was created. Lots of glare and smears on the glass of this display. Apparently some people wanted a close look.

Ratatouille… I enjoyed the movie, but there is something about Rats and food that gives me the willies, though I would eat a rat made of chocolate.

20160919_122152 — Love the detail of the fur coats and the side items. All created from chocolate.

20160919_122203 — This was my favorite layout of the displays. The use of the cheese wheels (chocolate wheels) and the rats is a nice touch.

20160919_122212 — Another cheese wheel and well carved chocolate vegetables. Vegetables on my plate are mostly for display too.

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Star Wars…

20160919_122135 — Yoda. Future king of the Studios. The Yoda quote above my desk… “Do or do not, there is no try”.

20160919_122123 — Millennium Falcon with Stormtrooper feet in background.

Last but not least are a couple with a shout-out to the theme park coaster attractions.

20160919_122229

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Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen – Magic Kingdom Park

Published on October 13, 2016 in Walt Disney World by Crystal Boston

Looking for something a little different for your dining experience at Walt Disney world Resort? Check out Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen at Magic Kingdom Park! Located in Adventureland, this table service dining experience is definitely one to try.

Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen is a Table Service dining experience and does require advance reservations. When it’s time for your dining experience, your Skipper Server will greet you and gave you a quick tour of the restaurant before seating you at your table. The theming of the restaurant is unique and it is much larger than expected, with three separately themed dining areas. The service is up to Disney standards and the menu offers a variety of distinctive selections, including African, American, Asian, and Latin cuisine. Currently the lunch and dinner menus are the same with an 11:30 am opening time for lunch and dinner beginning at 3:00 pm.

Upon seating, your server will deliver a plate of complimentary Ambasha Bread With Honey-Infused Dip, which is very sweet. There is also a good variety of appetizers to share; one of our favorites is the Falls Family Falafel which is a tasty and light start to your meal. The entrées offer a nice selection of choices, my favorite being the “A lot at Steak” Salad; Thai-marinated Flank Steak tossed with Hearts of Romaine, Carrots, Red Peppers, Cucumbers, Red Onions, and Cherry Tomatoes with Asian Dressing. And, of course, a family favorite is the Skip’s Mac & Cheese, consisting of Spiced Ground Beef, Pasta, and Béchamel Sauce served with Broccoli. You will find the meals to be very delicious and perfectly prepared! And, if you are like me, you can’t ever pass up dessert, especially with the delicious selections offered… I chose the Kungaloosh! OH MY… This African-inspired Chocolate Cake with Caramelized Bananas served with Cashew-Caramel Ice Cream topped with Coffee Dust was oh so absolutely delicious and was actually very light. Just enough for one (okay, maybe two)!

Overall, this is a more adventurous dining menu with a little bit of spice and, as with other Walt Disney World Resort restaurants, there is a kid friendly menu for your little ones. I highly recommend Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen and hope you choose to experience this dining adventure on your next visit to the Walt Disney world Resort too!

*Please note, park admission is required for this dining experience.

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Disneyland Resort ~ California

Published on September 27, 2016 in Disneyland by Crystal Boston

Are you thinking about a Disneyland Resort vacation? I recently experienced the Disneyland Resort in California where I participated in the runDisney Disneyland Half Marathon and took part in the final days of the Diamond Celebration, celebrating 60 years of Disneyland. This was my first half marathon and I wanted to do it with Disney!

The Disneyland Resort has 2 parks; the original Disneyland and California Adventure Park, the Downtown Disney District and 3 resorts on property – Paradise Pier Hotel, Disneyland Hotel and Disneyland’s Grand Californian. It is an easy resort to walk and explore and the weather is always beautiful in Southern California. And both Disneyland Park and California Adventure Park still use the paper FastPass system for “skip the line” access to many attractions.

Disneyland, the original Disney park, offers many magical attractions and experiences – some of which you can also find at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida (such as Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Peter Pan’s Flight and Pirates of the Caribbean) and some experiences only offered at Disneyland (such as Alice in Wonderland, Chip ‘n Dale Treehouse, Finding Nemo Submarine voyage and Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride). The castle at Disneyland is Sleeping Beauty’s Castle and, of course, there are many Character Meet & Greets as well as nighttime fireworks, including select nights for Fantasmic!, and the Disneyland Monorail which will transport you around the parks and Downtown Disney District area.

And don’t miss Star Wars Launch Bay if you have a Star Wars fan in your party!

There are many great dining venues at Disneyland too, both quick service and table service. We chose table service dining at Blue Bayou where your experience includes a view of the boats passing through on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. Blue Bayou was a magical dining experience with delicious food and exceptional service.

California Adventure Park was added as a second park at Disneyland in 2001. This park is a little more spacious, also offering many magical attractions and experiences – some of which you can also find at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida (such as It’s Tough to be a Bug, Monster’s Inc., Soarin’ Around the World and Toy Story Midway Mania!) and some experiences only offered at California Adventure (such as Radiator Springs Racers, Mickey’s Fun Wheel, Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree and California Screamin’). You can also find a statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse. Radiator Racers

The highlight of your experience at California Adventure Park is Cars Land! In Cars Land you will find meet & greets with Tow Mater and Lightning McQueen and you can dine at Flo’s V8 Café. In addition to Flo’s v8 Café, there are many quick service and table service dining experiences at California Adventure Park, all with a little something different to offer.

We reserved the World of Color Dining Package. I highly recommend the dining package for World of Color and you can choose from three restaurants for this experience; Wine Country Trattoria, Carthay Circle Restaurant – both offer lunch or dinner for the World of Color Dining Package – and Ariel’s Grotto for dinner only. Ariel’s Grotto also offers breakfast and lunch but both dining times are character dining experiences and do not include the World of Color Dining Package.

And if you want a quiet place to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the parks, but still enjoy the magic of Disney, be sure to check out the Alfresco Tasting Terrace at California Adventure Park, where you can relax on the patio overlooking Radiator Springs as you tour the wine country with an expertly chosen flight. Or pair a glass with an assortment of delicious Italian-inspired appetizers. They also offer beer tastings for those who prefer beer over wine – or try both! World of Disney

During our Disneyland Resort vacation, we also explored the Downtown Disney District area which offers shopping and dining as well as fun entertainment. The Downtown Disney District is free to enter with a parking fee, but if you dine at one of the participating restaurants you can get your parking pass validated for free parking.

There are many dining experiences and it was hard to choose but we narrowed it down and experienced lunch at ESPN Zone with dinner at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen where we dined New Orleans style on the balcony. The food was delicious and I would recommend both for your visit. If you are planning to experience Disneyland Resort in California for your next vacation I recommend at least 3 days so that you can experience all of the magic!!

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Skip Some Walking Time on the Friendship Launch – Epcot

Published on September 20, 2016 in Walt Disney World by Doug Wilcoxon

As I was finishing my Croughnut the idea of a walk to the other side of the World Showcase Lagoon was sounding less and less desirable. Hard as it is to believe, the idea for lunch at Via Napoli, in the Italy Pavilion, was beginning to form just as the final bite of Croughnut was disappearing from the ducks view. In order to make myself feel better about the quick lunch, today’s Croughnut will be classified as an appetizer.

Almost directly across from The Refreshment Port is a dock for boarding the Friendship Launch. Disney refers to it as launching from Canada, but more accurately we will refer to it as the Croughnut Launch. From our seat at the Croughnut observation post we watched a couple of Friendship Launches make their way over to the other side of the lagoon.

20160919_110331 — Those with the sharp eye will note that this is not across from Croughnut heaven. That’s right, I liked this picture better. Consider it artistic license.

This boat makes it way from the Croughnut Launch Dock to another dock situated between France and Morocco. I would estimate the cycle time for pick-up and departure for the Friendship Launch about every 20 minutes.

The boat is enclosed and air conditioned. It’s a nice change of pace when the sweat quits running down the small of your back. But don’t worry it’s only a short time until you reach the other side.

For those who prefer to maintain their outdoor swagger, there is a bench seat outside the cabin at the rear of the boat… or for you nautical types the stern. This is my favorite seat. Seating is very limited (see first picture). When you are on the water you should be outside absorbing the sea/lake/pond air, unless of course it’s the end of an evening on a cruise ship where shipmates will have uncomfortable glances while you are strolling the deck in your pj’s.

20160905_125200 — Hanging out at the back of the boat, preparing to depart from the Croughnut Launch Dock.

Where am I going with this you may be wondering.

It’s been years since the last voyage and I have forgotten how enjoyable this small excursion is across the World Showcase Lagoon. It may take more time than walking to your destination, but is it a race to each attraction? Is that any way to spend a vacation… racing from attraction to attraction. For some it is and I do admit we did the same thing, but eventually we decided to slow down and enjoy our trips at a different pace.

20160905_125407-1 — I may be beating a dead horse here, but if you look closely as departing the Croughnut Dock The Refreshment Port sits between the two buildings. Au revoir Refreshment Port!

20160905_125417 — Rounding the first corner of the World Showcase Lagoon is Canada.

20160905_125455 — The smell of fish and chips waft across the water as you make your way by England. That wafting may be dependent upon current wind direction. We stopped by the Yorkshire County Fish Shop and had the fish and chips at the start of food and wine. One order of Fish and Chips consists of two pieces of fish and some fries. The fish was cooked well (a light golden brown) and the fries were crispy. One order fish and chips $10.49 two bottled water $3.00 each, total with tax $17.18.

20160905_125559 — Sitting between Disney’s England and France pavilions beyond this bridge is the International Gateway. The channel after the bridge leads to Crescent Lake where the Boardwalk Resort and Yacht and Beach Club sit along the shore. Another channel leads between the Swan and Dolphin Resort and on to Disney Hollywood Studios. The boat ride from the International Gateway to Disney Hollywood Studios is about 25 minutes which includes stops at Boardwalk, Yacht Club, The Swan.

20160905_125603 — France is in sight as you approach the dock between France and Morocco.

The boat ride along the lagoon provides a different perspective of the World Showcase. It gives you a little time to sit back and relax. So enjoy the ride and the view, it’s a short ride, but a nice change of pace.

Work in Progress Map – places visited and miscellaneous comments.

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