Disney100 Commemorative Post Cereal Limited Edition Collectors Tin

Ever since they announced it, I've been keeping an eye on the Walmart website since that, supposedly, is the only place to get this.

It finally appeared earlier this week and we ordered it. It arrived today!

Zz.

What Will Happen To The Morocco Pavilion?

 Disney had officially taken over the running of the Moroccan pavilion at Epcot's World Showcase after the previous company running it went into default. Yesterday was the last day that restaurants such as Spice Road Table was opened, and the area around the pavilion is now closed for renovations, including the bazaar area.

This was my most favorite pavilion at the World Showcase. For many of us, this was the most unfamiliar culture among the various nationalities represented there. While the food quality at both sit-down restaurants have gone down over the years (in my opinion), they were still not the familiar run-of-the-mill fare that most people know. Moroccan food and restaurants are not very common in many parts of the US, even though there is one amazing Moroccan restaurant in Orlando itself called "Moroccan Breeze" which we have been to twice during our last two visits.

This takeover and renovation can go well, or can go very wrong (what other possibilities are there?). I don't know what to make of it. The ONLY thing I wish for is authenticity both in the decor and in the food. Disney is a master at the former, but often skimp on the latter. We shall see.

In the meantime, here's one final tribute to the bazaar at the Morocco pavilion.

Zz.

Dole Whip Recipe

Disney just shared the recipe to make their famous Dole Whip.

Ingredients:4 ounces pineapple juice
2 cups frozen cubed pineapple
1 large scoop vanilla ice cream

Step One: In a blender, combine the pineapple juice, frozen pineapple and ice cream and blend until smooth.

Step Two: Transfer the Dole Whip to a star-tipped pastry bag and swirl it into a bowl. Grab a spoon. Eat.

I guess that will do for now till we all can get back into the parks!

Zz.

Palo's Chocolate Souffle

Of course, one of the best thing about cruising with a Disney cruise ship is dinner at Palo, and having the ridiculously good and famous Palo's chocolate souffle. We never fail to get it, plus maybe another dessert as well (yes, I know that we were being pigs for having more than one dessert).

So it is nice that Disney Cruise Line has released a video on how to make their chocolate souffle. Maybe we can do this ourselves at home and don't have to wait till we get on a Disney cruise ship to have the pleasure of such a delicious treat.



For the record, here is a picture of the chocolate souffle that we had on the Disney Wonder during out Alaskan Cruise this past September, 2018.

It was delectable!

Zz.

Guy Fieri's "Chicken Guy!" To Open At Disney Springs This August

Add another restaurant to the list of the many, MANY restaurants at Disney Springs (at some point, isn't this way too many already?). Food Network star Guy Fiery is to open "Chicken Guy!" this August, and the emphasis is on chicken tenders and the sauces, with the food being served being under $8. I wonder how long that price will last?

Since Fieri is a huge fan of sauces, like his signature Donkey Sauce, there will be 22 sauces for dipping, slathering and smothering — take that, Chick-fil-A! Fieri's Donkey Sauce recipe (made with mayo, roasted garlic, mustard and lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce —or "Washashasahshashasha" as Fieri calls it) is actually really delicious, so hopefully the other sauces will be just as tasty.

Not only will the restaurant have almost two dozen sauces, but there will also be a designated "sauce slinger" who will wear a holster with the sauces and walk around the restaurant, presumably to squirt and sauce up any customers' orders.

I'm not averse to checking it out when we go there this December, so maybe I'll report back. So far, our only dining experience at a celebrity chef joint in Disney Springs was at Rick Bayless's Frontera Cucchina, and it was a winner.  I'm not a fan of chicken tenders, but I'll give this one a try.

Zz.

Donald, The Tomato Guardian

Donald is guarding over his tomato, and also my heirloom tomato that is growing next to him, from those two rascals Chip and Dale.

Zz.

Squirrel Caught Stealing At MK Store

A squirrel was caught on video stealing peanuts M&M at a store in the Magic Kingdom.

Where was Disney security? I'd say they ban that squirrel ("SQUIRREL!!!!") for life from the theme park.

Zz.

Mobile Food Ordering Adds Dining Plan

I reviewed the MyDisney Experience park app's mobile food ordering service at WDW a couple of months ago after we tried it during our December 2017 trip. We loved it, and can't think of any reason anyone would not want to use it for ordering at many of the counter services at the parks and at a couple of places in Disney Springs. The only significant part that was missing from this ability is the use Disney Dining Plan with the mobile service.

Well now, with the recent update of the app this past week, it appears that they have included the ability to use the Dining Plan to order food via the mobile app. I fully expected this because they tend to roll out the app in stages as they figure out its capabilities, etc. So it is not surprising that the Dining Plan is now included. Not that we will use this feature since we seldom get the Dining Plan, but I know that this was a common question and feature request.

So folks, if you have a smart phone, there really is no reason to not download the app, and if you're planning on eating at one of the quick service places at a WDW theme park, you'll be out of your mind to not use the mobile food ordering feature.

Zz.

Inside The Flavor Lab

I don't get to read much about the Disney's Flavor Lab at WDW. So it was quite informative to read this article on what it is and what it does.

Flavor Lab is a 7,500-square-foot complex tucked away in the backstage parts of Disney's Florida property, off limits to the countless tourists who will eat the dishes dreamed up within its walls. In this building, the company’s chefs and Imagineers have access to a one-stop workshop to build immersive dining experiences, create detailed mythologies that lend story to restaurant locations and menu items, try out new technologies, make sure ideas are practical on a Disney-size scale, and test everything down to the individual appetizer. The goal: Create restaurants where a meal is as much a part of a theme park vacation as a ride on the Haunted Mansion.

Hey, when will get a backstage tour of this place? :)

Zz.

Le Creuset Disney Collection

Oh, as if I need another reason to spend money!

I just found this (thanks, Chuck!) Le Creuset Disney collection. Le Creuset is never cheap (I have several dutch ovens and a few other ceramic items). Pair it with Disney, and it becomes downright expensive.

But hey, those ramekinds are awfully tempting!

Zz.

A Review Of Mobile Food Ordering

On this trip (which we are still on for at least another couple of days), we used the mobile food ordering service that is inside the My Disney Experience App. This feature allows you to preorder and pay for food at various counter services at the 4 theme parks, and one in DS. Supposedly, it will expand even more as they add more counter service.

The take home review of this feature is: IT IS FREAKING AWESOME!

Say you want to order food from Flame Tree BBQ. You tap on "Order Food" section in the App. It will then list all the quick service restaurants that are able to prepare your order. Under Animal Kingdom theme park, you'll find Flame Tree BBQ. Tap on that, and you will be shown the menu that are available for mobile app ordering (for Flame Tree, it is identical to the one you get standing in line at the counter. For Sunshine Season, there are items that are not listed in the current menu list for that establishment).

You then pick the item you want, ADD to your selection, and add as many as you want. Also note that you may have the ability to customize, as in the type of side dishes if the item comes with it. So you may want to keep the default fries, or maybe change it to a fruit cup.

You also may add drinks, desserts, side dishes, etc., anything that is on the listed menu.

Then, once you are done with your selection, you place your order. This is where it will be processed to be paid. Then you will be presented with a button that said "I"m here, process my order now", or something to that effect. It is only THEN will they start preparing your order. Once your order is ready, the app will refresh that page and will tell you that your order is ready to be picked up.

Picking up the order is simple. You either give the name of the person who ordered it, or the order number that is displayed on your app. At each counter service that accept mobile order, there is a location denoted by a sign on where you should go to pick it up.

Having used it MANY times on this trip, this is one of the most convenient feature that we have come across with. It saves time standing in line, or the aggravation of standing behind a group of people who seem to only start to figure out what they want when they get to the cashier. Many times, we often start the order even before we got to the place we want to eat. When we get there, I would indicate that they should start the order while we look for a place to sit. Often times, it takes less than 5 minutes before we get the notice that our order is ready.

From what I can see, there are still not many guests who are making use of this feature, so the efficiency of this service may change as more and more people use it. But as of now, I can't think of any sane reason for anyone not to use this. Unless of course, you enjoy standing in long lines that crawl.

Zz.

Review of Paddlefish at Disney Springs

What was formerly Fulton Crab House, Paddlefish at Disney Springs seems to offer a larger range of menu beyond just seafood. Hey, what's wrong with seafood-centric menu?

I wonder if they still have those crabcakes that Fulton had? I must say that I was a fan of the old Fulton. It definitely needed an update, but we'll see if Paddlefish is any good. I hope they still have the 20% discount for DVC members for lunch! :)

Zz.

My Disney Experience App Now Allows Food Ordering

I had notification of an update of My Disney Experience app this morning. Upon reading the details of the update, it includes the much-publicized capability order food at quick service restaurants.

I opened the app after the update, and sure enough, there is a section to order food. Tapping that causes a notification to pop up that only Satu'Li Canteen at the new Pandora land will be the first to accept mobile food ordering when it opens on May 27, 2017. The restaurant is the only one so far listed for mobile ordering.

As someone who uses the Panera and Starbucks apps for mobile ordering frequently, I welcome this convenience and can't wait for it to expand to the counter service restaurants at WDW that I frequent.

Zz.

No More Disney Chicken Nuggets At Costco?

I posted quite a while back of this tasty Chicken Nuggets that we found at Costco in the shape of the iconic Mickey head. We haven't bought this in a while because the last time we bought it, we bought 2 bags that lasted almost a year.

When we went looking for it again a couple of weeks ago, we couldn't find them anymore! And our friends have told us that they haven't seen them in month. Horrors! Does this mean that this item is no longer available? Nooooo!!!!!

I know things change all the time at places like Costco, and that things come and go. Still, we have had this for a few years, and it is sad to see it no longer being there. It also appears that Kirkland, Costco's brand, is not replacing it with another type of chicken nuggets.

Zz.

Walking Tour of Living With The Land Attraction

A video of the behind-the-scenes tour of the Living With the Land greenhouse at The Land pavilion at Epcot.

https://www.yahoo.com/gma/video/walking-tour-land-pavilion-disneys-151032436.html

You get something like this (without the video camera, of course) when you take the Behind the Seeds tour at the same pavilion.

Zz.

Crossroads Plaza Faces Possible Demolition

The Crossroads shopping plaza just outside of WDW (corner of Hotel Plaza Blvd and SR535) faces the possibility of demolition as part of the expansion of the interchange between SR535 and I4.

The Florida Department of Transportation plans to eventually reconfigure an Interstate 4 interchange at State Road 535 with a design that would require demolition of the shopping center.

Right of way acquisition for the project is scheduled from 2018 to 2022. So far, no construction date is scheduled.

We used to shop at Goodings regularly when we were there many years ago before we found a Winn-Dixie further down the street. Now, the only time we go there for is to dine at this wonderful South Indian restaurant called Dakshin. Not only is that restaurant conveniently located, but the food is good as well.

I hope they manage to do something to at least save part of the plaza and get this restaurant to stay. Otherwise, we will miss it and will have to hunt for a good Indian restaurant near WDW, which isn't an easy thing to do.

Zz.

No "Healty Gumbo"

Disney now learns that there is no such thing as a "healthy gumbo".

While the intention is noble, the execution is left to be desired. In an attempt to make gumbo more healthy, Disney foolishly make a video recipe for this iconic dish but changed it so much that it caused a brouhaha among fans of this Cajun staple.

The family-entertainment juggernaut posted a video recipe for "Tiana's Healthy Gumbo" to the official Facebook page for "The Princess and the Frog," the 2009 animated movie that featured a New Orleanian culinary princess. The nearly two-minute-long video, which has since been taken off the Facebook page and Disney's other social media accounts, was charming enough with a jazzy tune playing in the background. However, it quickly drew the ire of Louisiana foodies for its use of kale, quinoa and its lack of a roux.

Starting without a roux and not adding file as part of the recipe disqualifies it from being called a gumbo to many people. Disney would have been fine if they simply called it a New Orleans-inspired stew, or something like that, rather than a gumbo.

Moral of the story: Just don't mess around with something so iconic.

Zz.

A Bar Inside Hollywood Tower of Terror?

Yes, and no, as much as many of us would like to have it on the 13th floor, the bar is going to be located at the ride exit near where you pick up your photos.

Fans of the ride may be disheartened to learn that the bar won’t be called the Tip Top Club—a nod to the ride’s famous and frightening storyline—and it won’t be located on the 13th floor of the hotel. The venue will be located near the ride’s exit, just across from the area where you pick up your spooky souvenir photo.

I haven't seen any confirmation yet on this, and when it will open. So stay tuned.

Zz.

No More Turkey Legs At Animal Kingdom?

I read this news report that Disney has removed turkey legs from Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park, but I don't find anywhere on the reason why they did that.

The removal of the legs from Animal Kingdom was tied to a regular review of menu offerings, she said. The park recently added a full rack of ribs and more side items at its recently renovated Flame Tree Barbecue restaurant. A new restaurant called Tiffins is expected to open at Animal Kingdom this year.

Oh well. At least this is still available at the other 3 parks.

Zz.

Epcot Festivals To Run Longer In 2016

Looks like both Epcot's Flower and Garden Festival and International Food and Wine Festival will run longer this year.

The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival will run for 62 days this year, an increase of more than a week from the 2015 edition, which was 53 days, Disney World announced Wednesday evening. The 2016 festival will begin Sept. 14 and end on Nov. 14.

The fest will be on the heels of its newly expanded sister event, the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, which begins March 2 and runs for 90 days, ending May 30. Last year's Flower & Garden was 75 days. 

The news report stated that with these expanded dates, Epcot will be in festival mode for more than 40% of the year.

I can only conclude from this that the festivals are attracting significantly higher attendance. Otherwise, they will have certainly cut it short. After all, even when they've had a recent increase in revenues from the US theme parks, they still laid off people that they didn't think they need as "cost-cutting" measures.

Zz.