January Trip Report: An Evening at the Poly

After a devastating football game, DRF and I picked up our friend Lisa and headed to my happy place! We had an ADR at Kona and I was kind of worried we might be late, but we ended up getting there early. We got our pager and waited for a bit for it to go off. We were thinking about browsing the gift shop, so I went up to the podium to ask how long they thought it would be and at that moment it started buzzing! So, they took us to our table. I will post a full review of our dinner at Kona later,

I hadn't been to the Poly since the late 90's so it was good to be back and take the atmosphere and that smell everyone always talks about. I was kind of surprised at how small Kona was, but the atmosphere was exactly what I had imagined!

After dinner we had about an hour until Wishes so we took a round trip ride on the Monorail. Lisa said it made her want to go back to Disney World so I think I did my job!

After our trip we made our way to the beach to get seats for the fireworks. It was New Years Day so it was Holiday Wishes, which I had never seen before. Watching the fireworks for the Poly was interesting. It was very relaxing and not as crowded as on Main Street. My biggest complaint was that when sitting on the beach, the nearest speakers are on the buildings so the music is pretty quiet and if the people around you are talking you would have a hard time hearing it.

After Wishes we headed over to Downtown Disney so Lisa could pick up a souvenir...that was a BAD idea! We drove around for 20 minutes looking for a parking space and by the time we finally got one, there were SO many people in there! I almost started to hyperventilate in World of Disney it was so packed! But, Lisa found something and we had a nice chat with the cashier who goes to Central Michigan.

Then, we ran back to the car, dropped Lisa off at the Peabody and headed back to the beach. We got back around midnight and we could barely keep our eyes open! But, we had to get to bed, we were headed to the parks nice and early!

Wordless Wednesday: The Land

Wordless Wednesday: Fountain

Recipe: Dole Whip!!!

First off, I should mention this is not an official Disney recipe, this is a home recreation of the ever popular Adventureland Treat. I also need to credit Katie from BetaMouse for mentioning a Dole Whip recipe on the podcast giving me the idea to make and review it (and shamelessly plug it on today's Generation Mouse)!

Ingredients:
2 cans (20 oz. each) DOLE Crushed Pineapple
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons lime juice
1/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream, whipped

Step 1:
Drain Pineapple and reserve 2 tbs juice



Step 2:
Blend pineapple, lemon juice, lime juice, sugar, and reserved pineapple juice. I used a hand blender although a full blender would be much easier and would make the final product much more consistent.

Step 3:
Freeze 1-2 hours


Step 4:
Remove from freezer and mix in whipped cream. Replace in freezer until completely frozen.

Optional Step 5:
Serve with pineapple juice to make a Dole Whip Float

While I wouldn't say this turned out exactly like those served at Aloha Isle, the fruity taste was quite refreshing and quite delicious. As I mentioned in step 2, I would definitely recommend using a full blender over a stick blender for a more creamy texture, mine still had a lot of chunks.

This didn't have the soft-serve consistency that they serve in the park. It is more like a frozen lemonade, Italian Ice kind of thing. That said it is still delicious!

Overall, if you are far from the magic and are craving a Dole Whip, this is a simple recipe that gets pretty close to Dole Whippy deliciousness!

Note: If you have an ice cream maker, you have some other Dole Whip options which can be found at amomisajob.com. While I don't have an ice cream maker, I'm sure these would probably have a more comparable consistency.

Recipe courtesy of amomisajob.com.

Have you tried to make a Dole Whip at home? Let me know in a comment or tweet!

Wordless Wednesday: Studios Awareness Week

Wordless Wednesday: Giraffe!

Wordless Wednesday: Dole Whip

January Trip Report: Capital One Bowl

Drumline before the Game

 So we woke up bright early so we could get to Orlando, park, and get to the stadium and not have to stress about time. So, we parked and took the shuttle to the stadium where we found the drumline (behind a fence no less). Sparty was conducting and dancing.

Capital One Bowl

We pushed and shoved our way into this tailgate-party-tent thing and watched the team walk through. Then we went in and found our seats and waited for the game to begin.

SMB took the Field

I didn't take any photos during the game, just believe me when I say it was bad. I won't go into details because I don't want to alienate my Bama readers (lol). We went into half-time having no score when they had like 30 or so. I will admit, I didn't think we were out of it yet. My Spartans are good at comebacks, in fact we have the record for biggest comeback in NCAA history against Northwestern in 2006.

At half-time, these weird dancing mascots came out for the Capital One Half-Time Show. After that both Alabama and MSU bands had their time on the field.

Capital One Half-Time Show

Then the team was back out and it was apparent that we were not going to win this game. Around half-way through the third quarter, Spartan fans were leaving left and right but DRF wouldn't go because we traveled all this way to see this game (I think we all know why I traveled all this way, but nonetheless...). 

After countless injuries we finally scored in the fourth quarter, but it was still a devastating loss at 49-7  What can I say, when Spartans win, we win by a little and when we lose, we lose by a lot.

SMB Half-Time Show

In the end, I can't be too upset, we still had the best season in Spartan football history with 11 wins. This was only our second loss of the season (the first was against Iowa and was very similar).

But, leaving the stadium I realized that there was only one thing that would make me happy, DISNEY WORLD! 

January Trip Report: New Years Eve!

DRF & I on the beach!

The second full day of our vacation was New Years Eve, our beach day! Since this is a full non-Disney day I will try to make it quick. We woke up (I forgot to mention that DRF was sleeping on the balcony. Yes, it was only like 40 degrees at night but he had a winter sleeping bag and an air mattress and he was in heaven. My family thought he was insane) and my Aunt & Uncle took us to Friendly's for breakfast. 

Ron Jon Surf Shop

I had never been to a Friendly's before but I swear their kid's menu must have a warning that says "May cause cavities"! Apparently my family went there the morning before and Andrew (7) had chocolate pancakes with chocolate ice cream and a
chocolate milkshake! FOR BREAKFAST! WHAT?! This time his parents made him get something healthier but they did allow him some sort of blue cotton candy beverage...I don't know. I mean, my food was good, but I couldn't believe the kid's menu. The theme of this restaurant must be parents fighting with their children.

DRF in the Ocean

After breakfast, Chris & I decided to take a trip to Cocoa beach because Chris had never been to the Ron Jon Surf Shop. I ended up buying a cute zip-up hoodie. When we were leaving we saw a fruit stand and decided to stop. We left with 2 bags of oranges, a bag of grapefruit, and a jug of fresh-squeezed orange juice. Gotta love Florida citrus!

When we got back to the condo, we had a quick lunch and decided to take a walk on the beach. After testing the water, DRF decided to splash around. Me? I screamed and ran out as quick as I could!

After we came inside, Andrew really wanted to play with us so we decided to go swimming. We swam for a little and played Marco Polo until Andrew accused us of cheating then we headed in for dinner.  After dinner I went out to photograph the sunset. 

That night, we were invited to a New Years Eve party in the penthouse. I won't go into details, but I will say that my aunt, uncle, Andrew, Chris, & I were the youngest ones there (it was kind of awkward)...we pretty much just hung out with the kid until he fell asleep then we spent our time on the balcony until my aunt & uncle took him downstairs to bed. 

Sunset from the balcony

A couple of minutes before the clock struck midnight we struggled to wake up Andrew (apparently last year he slept through it and gave my aunt a hard time for almost a year) but he was out cold. So the rest of us went out onto the balcony and banged pots and pans to ring in 2011! After all that excitement, we went straight to bed (or in Chris' case, Balcony). We had to get up early the next morning for the Capital One Bowl!

January Trip Report: GPS+WDW=BAD

Transportation and Ticket
Center

When I left off last we were leaving the Citrus Parade. We got in the car and I programmed my Garmin to take us to the Magic Kingdom (to buy our park tickets so we wouldn't have to wait in line on our park day). I listened to an episode of WDW Today where they said that GPS(es?) work fine on Disney property. I don't know, maybe that's true for some. Not mine. Well, unless you count the Shipping and Receiving center as the Magic Kingdom.

I should've known something as not right when we went past the Reedy Creek Fire Station, but we kept going. We eventually turned around, silenced GPS lady, and followed the signs to the Magic Kingdom. My advice would be that if you are staying off property and want to use a GPS, once you get to Disney property follow the signs, not your screen.

Anyway, we eventually made it to the TTC and bought our tickets.(Tip: There is a pick-up/drop-off area that you can go to without paying for parking if you will be less than 15 minutes. Just tell the guy at the gate they you're dropping someone off and follow the signs.) 

Arriving at Downtown Disney

Tickets in hand, we headed to Downtown Disney (following the signs, not Ms. Garmin). The first three lots were full so we had to park by Cirque du Soliel. We were STARVED so we booked it over to Earl of Sandwich (full review of EoS to come). For dessert, we headed to Babycakes NYC, which I had heard so much about (I will have to review that later, as well). 

My New Pin

After we were sufficiently full the shopping began. I wanted to check out the new spice & tea area at Mickey's Pantry and while it was cool, everything was too expensive for me. It was small quantities and high prices.
The next place we hit was Pin Traders. While I don't trade pins and woudn't really say that I'm into pins, I have bought at least one pin each trip since 2000. And when I get home I put it on my Millennium Celebration hat. So, I bought a Happy New Years 2011 Pin to add to the collection.

My first Vinylmation!

We made our way back to the West Side and I had to stop at D-Street to buy my first Vinylmation! It was PACKED in there but I eventually decided to purchase one from the Parks Series 3 and I got Herbie the Love Bug.


We were sufficiently sick of the crowds so we headed to my Aunt & Uncle's condo on the beach. The weird thing is when we got there, I called my Aunt so she could let us into the building and I got a busy signal. Tried with DRF's phone and we got a busy signal again. To test it, I called his phone from mine and got a busy signal. So, we got out of the car and my Aunt & Cousin were outside trying to flag us down from the road because they were getting a busy signal too! That was weird.

The Condo at Night

We went inside, exchanged Christmas gifts (it was Dec 30, remember) and the headed out on the beach with flashlights to look for crabs. DRF and my Cousin (7) played flashlight tag while I caught up with my Aunt. We were exhausted so we went to bed early to prepare for the next day, which was our beach day!

Wordless Wednesday: The Boardwalk

January Trip Report

My goal for this summer is to truly get this blog up and running and to get a domain name (I know Amanda does not enjoy saying "htcadr.blogspot.com" in the Generation Mouse introductions). To start that I am going to do a series of posts as a trip report from my January Trip (better late than never, right?)!

Before I start, I need to explain the reason for this trip (besides the fact that I LOVE Disney). The Spartans were going to the Capital One Bowl in Orlando! So, at the beginning of December we bought our tickets and planned to stay with my aunt & uncle near Cocoa Beach. 

The Orlando Orange led the
way for the Citrus Parade

TIP: Spend time out of the parks doing things the DR wants to do!

I know to big Disney fans like us, we don't want to leave property, but Disney Resisters need some time away. For us, it was seeing our Spartans in a bowl game!

Because it was such short notice, we drove down from Michigan, leaving at about 5 am (have I mentioned that DRF works in the coffee business? This is his time of day) and we made it all the way to Gainesville before passing out in a cheap motel.

We woke up early on December 30 to make the final hour drive to Orlando for the Citrus Parade! We got there a little early and picked out spot, waiting for the parade to start.

After the police on motorcycles (with Alabama and MSU flags, of course), the parade started with the Orlando Orange. The float that had me up a wall was the Tangled float (notice, all the floats have oranges and the Disney float has them arranged as Hidden Mickeys).

When I was still completely giddy, Sparty and the Spartan Marching Band came by and had my screaming at the top of my lungs!

Sparty!

Spartan Drumline

In my next post in this series, I will pick up with what we did after the parade! Please stay tuned! In the mean time, check out my recipe reviews at illuminatingepcot.com! And don't forget Generation Mouse comes out every Tuesday and this week we have a very special guest! Be sure to subscribe on iTunes so you'll never miss an episode!

Wordless Wednesday: Carousel of Progress

Wordless Wednesday: Spaceship Earth

Wordless Wednesday: The Studios

Recipe: Mom's Meatloaf

The other day, I made an all WDW dinner with Mom's Meatloaf from 50's Prime Time Cafe and Gratin de Macaroni from Chefs de France (you can read my review of the macaroni on illuminatingepcot.com).

Tip #3: Get the DR addicted to Disney food! I don't know about you, but the food is one of my favorite things about a Disney vacation. So, recently I've been cooking WDW recipes at home!

Ingredients:
2 lb ground beef
1 lb ground pork
4 eggs
1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
½ cup diced onions
1/4 cup diced green peppers
1/4 cup diced red peppers
2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Cracked black pepper to taste
Kosher salt to taste
½ cup ketchup
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1 Tsp Dijon mustard
½ Tsp worcestershire sauce


Step 1: Dice peppers and onions and set them aside.




Step 2: Combine the meat, eggs, 2 tbs Worcestershire, salt, and pepper.


Step 3: Add vegetables.


Step 4: Form in loaf pan and transfer to lipped baking sheet covered in foil/parchment.


Step 5: Bake at 350 for 1 hour, until the internal temperature is 155.


Step 6: While the meat is in the oven, mix the rest of the ingredients together and heat it until the sugar dissolves.


Step 7: Take meat out of oven and brush with glaze. Bake another ten minutes.


Step 8: Let rest for ten minutes. Then cut and serve.


I was really happy with how this dish turned out! It was very moist, just make sure you cut up the vegetables small, it really crumbled in some parts. If you enjoy meatloaf, you will love this spin on the traditional and its not too difficult to make!

Recipe courtesy of allears.net.

Wordless Wednesday: Animal Kingdom

Wordless Wednesday

Minimal Word Thursday

I have been so busy lately that I forgot to post a Wordless Wednesday yesterday. So, today I am posting a "Minimal Word Thursday" and the words are really just to explain what the heck this is...And I promise a new true post will be out soon!

World Showcase at Night

Wordless Wednesday: Rainy Day

Tangierine Cafe Review

Before I get on with today's tip and story, I have an announcement! In case you don't follow me on twitter, DRBF and I went to St. Louis for Spring Break and HE PROPOSED! So, he is now my DRF and I will update the site accordingly. On the left is a photo of my ring! :)

Chicken Schwarma

Tip #2: Pick Restaurants You Think DR Would Like

As I mentioned in the last post, I had the joy of touring WDW with DRF in January. When it came to picking a CS restaurant for dinner at EPCOT, I had the idea to try a restaurant that I had never been to. DRF recently discovered a love of Middle Eastern food, so when I suggested the Tangierine Cafe he was on board when some other people would've been weary.

Chicken Wrap

DRF had the Chicken Schwarma which he liked but it wasn't exactly what he was used to. It came with hummus, tabbouleh, tangerine couscous, and fresh Moroccan bread.

I had the Chicken Wrap which is served with the tangerine couscous and a lentil salad. I really liked this sandwich and I thought it would be a good for a picky eater.

Overall, I thought this restaurant was not as scary as people assume it to be. While it wasn't as authentic as DRF was expecting it to be, it was a good meal. It was a nice evening so we were able to sit outside and people watch while we ate.

If you enjoyed this restaurant review, check out my food blog at eatingmichigan.blog.com! And I am still looking for domain name suggestions. Just leave a comment with your idea and if I choose it you will win a yet-to-be-determined Disney-related prize (I'm thinking Vinylmation)!