May 11

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

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Heigh Ho!  In just 17 short days, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train will come to life taking excited guests on a rocking’ and rollin’ diamond mine adventure.  Get ready to venture into a place where “a million diamonds shine”.  This family-friendly coaster marks the completion of the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history and is said to be the “crowning jewel” of the New Fantasyland and we can’t wait to get on it.

Inspired by the Disney classic animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the newest attraction to the Magic Kingdom exhibits extra special attention to detail to fully reflect the scenes from the movie.

14104471433_78ac93a97b_zImmerse yourself in the storybook classic as you cross a stone bridge and walk through the enchanted forest towards the dwarfs’ cottage.  When designing the cottage, Disney Imagineers took into consideration the details of the film and created a replica of  with slopped eaves, lanterns and even the many colors of the roofing shingles.

0423ZW_0832MS-640x426Unless you have a FastPass, you will be standing in a long queue line once this ride opens to the public.  Not to worry though, Disney’s Imagineers have created an interactive queue to occupy their guests as they wait to board their mine train.  This interactive pre-show of washing and sorting gems will keep young guests entertained make them feel like they are part of Snow White’s world.

0422ZW_0888RWa-533x800Board your specially designed mine train and get ready for a new adventure chock full of classic scenes with Snow White, your favorite woodland critters and the stars of the show, the seven dwarfs – Doc, Grumpy, Bashful, Dopey, Happy, Sleepy and Sneezy.  Hold on as your five-car mine train twists and turns and your individual cars rock and roll through the cavernous gem mines with the dwarfs hard at work.

0411ZW_0209MS-640x420As you frolic through the mine, your journey is accompanied by music from the beloved film and the trains even slow down so you can take in the amazing audio-animatronics featuring your favorite characters in different scenes.   That crazy old hag even make an appearance in this fun-filled adventure.  Here’s a tip….don’t eat the apple.

0423ZW_1246MS-533x800This ride is sure to become a fan favorite for a very long time.  For those of us who are life-long visitors to the Magic Kingdom, I know we all miss the Snow White’s Scary Adventure.  As a kid, that ride used to give me the heebie jeebies but I was still saddened by it’s closing in 2012.  Thankfully, I was able to share it with
my daughter several times over.  It was always funny to watch her cringe in certain scenes of the ride, 0423ZW_1581MS-640x426just like I used to.  Now I can’t wait for both of us to experience the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train for the first time together.  She is my Disney partner in crime and with so many Disney visits under my travel belt, there isn’t much I haven’t experienced within the resort.  THIS first-time experience for us will be epic and we can’t wait to see these fun-loving, silly guys at work!

Snow White’s Ranking:  Stay Tuned! 

Interest:  Kids, tweens, teens, and adults

Height Requirements: 38 in. or taller

Accessibility:  Guests must transfer from Wheelchair/ECV

Thrill Level:  Family-friendly drops, fast curves

FASTPASS+ is offered.

Location:  New Fantasyland

 

 

 

 

May 10

Epcot Future World for Kids

epcot44When Epcot first opened in October, 1982, it was thought to be more of an adult-oriented playground especially since it was known for the around-the-world cuisine, shopping and drinking in its 11 nations.  Many parents will shy away from bringing children to Epcot out of concern that they would be bored or that nothing was geared to them.  Over the years, Epcot Future World has become the perfect place for all age groups but it is especially educational for the young ones and there are plenty of things for your kids to enjoy.  Here are 10 must-see things for your kids to enjoy in the Future World.

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May 09

Tree of Life

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The Tree of Life, the iconic centerpiece of Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a wonderful combination of sculpted artistry and the balance of nature in the circle of life.  Standing at an impressive 145 feet high and 50 feet wide, the trunk of the Tree of Life pays homage to nature and some of the earth’s creatures with approximately 325 meticulously carved animals.

imagesThe Discovery Island Trails surrounding the tree offer guests the ability to view all the splendor the trunk of the tree and the roots have to offer.  It is definitely a site to behold and one that is worth taking the time to see.   As you wind around through the Discovery Island Trails, there are also live animal exhibits to enjoy.  Nestled among the roots, you are likely to find lemurs, flamingos, kangaroos and various species of tortoise amongst the landscape of pools, grassy meadows and various fauna.

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Although the Tree of Life is the most aesthetic icon and fitting of the conservation of animals for the theme of the park, it was not the first choice for the icon.  Originally, there were talks of utilizing Noah’s Ark as an icon and even a three-leveled carousel attraction that featured animals of the land and the sea, but this was thought of as too “whimsical”.

imagesWhen the Tree of Life was the final decision, engineers had conflicts on how to construct such an icon that would meet the standards of Florida’s volatile weather, especially during hurricane season.  The original idea was to create something similar to the geodesic design of Epcot’s ball, but it was ultimately decided upon to use an “oil rig” design for the base of the tree to withstand not only the weight of the tree itself but so the base could house a theater and the branches could be well supported.  The canopy of the tree is comprised of more than 103,000 translucent, artificial leaves that actually blow in the wind in order to create a real tree effect.

imagesThe base of the Tree of Life was originally designed to house a show themed around the Lion King, but Michael Eisner proposed that the show be based around bugs and insects that would normally inhabit the tree and thus the It’s Tough to Be a Bug 3-D show based on Pixar’s A Bug’s Life would eventually call the base of the tree it’s home.

Somewhere in the sculpted artistry of the trunk and roots of the Tree of Life you will find a Hidden Mickey.   It is especially hard to find, and even with my trained eye of seeking such Hidden Mickey’s, I have not to date been able to find it.  Alas, I have not given up and diligently seek it every time I am there.  Not to worry, I WILL find it one day.  Most of the time I am so caught up in the beauty of the tree itself that I lose my train of thought on looking for the Hidden Mickey.

May 08

Be Our Guest

imagesVenture inside the Beast’s enchanted castle for french-inspired cuisine and dine in either the West Wing, the Rose Gallery or the elegant two-story ballroom. Disney’s latest addition to it’s fine dining, Be Our Guest, offers two options for it’s guests – either a quick service lunch or a sit-down dining experience. Keep in mind, that unless you already have planned your dinner reservations 180 days in advance, the quick service lunch is your best chance to put their service to the test.

photo-49Lunch is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Last summer, we made a last minute decision to spend a day at the Magic Kingdom and just happened to be in the new Fantasyland around 11:00 in the morning. Since it was our first visit to see the new Fantasyland ever, we were enjoying all the new additions and sights when we asked a cast member if, by chance, any reservations were available. She said not for dinner but that if we waited in line for lunch we were sure to enjoy their quick service dining.  Imagine our joy to see that only 3 families were standing before us. High fives all around!

photo-48As you pass through the doors guarded by giant statues, you enter into an area where digital screens display their features for lunch. Wonderfully delicious looking meals appear before your eyes and everything looks so good, it’s hard to choose. This is not your average quick-service dining at Disney World. Using the state-of-the-art screens, you select your meals before you get to the cashier and you can also customize your meals according to your specific tastes and dietary requirements with the cashier.

photo-47Once you have made your dining selections, you are free to chose your seating within one of the three available rooms that seat 550 in all. We chose to dine in the ballroom which features floor to ceiling arched windows with ever-changing views of the french countryside and snow falling at night. It is perfectly detailed with it’s elaborate chandeliers and painted ceilings and makes you feel as if you are sitting in a scene from the beloved movie, Beauty and the Beast.

Tie your napkin ’round your neck cherie and they’ll provide the rest! Magically, your food appears before you and we were pleasantly surprised to see our quick service lunch come out on real china with real flatware but Mrs. Potts wouldn’t have it any other way, now would she?

imagesThe béchamel-smothered croque-monsieur sandwich and the carved roast beef on a baguette with horseradish sour cream are outstanding and the chef’s favorite 8-hour-braised pork in a coq a vin style is loaded with flavor and tenderness. And, if you still have room…..try the grey stuff, it’s delicious.  Don’t believe me? Ask the dishes!

photo-46I highly recommend visiting the other rooms to take in the detailed theming throughout – it is an attraction all in itself.  You may catch a glimpse of the enchanted rose in the west wing but don’t dare touch it, you never know where the Beast lurks.  On your way out, take in the fine art stained glass depicting scenes from the fairytale.  It is a true work of art and this is a wonderful place for a photo op.

 

May 07

Hollywood Brown Derby

imagesThe Hollywood Brown Derby located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a replica of the original family restaurant located in Los Angeles, CA.  Started  by Robert H. Cobb and Herbert Somborn, it is believed to be the birthplace of the Cobb Salad and the famed salad has become one of the signature dishes on the menu.  Other menu items include steaks, seafood and pasta specialties and an extensive international fine wine selection.

About 63,000 Cobb salads are tossed every year at The Hollywood Brown Derby.   The original dressing recipe dates back to 1926 and still tops the salads today in both the Los Angeles locations and Disney’s Hollywood Studios as well.

If you have had the pleasure of dining there and had the Cobb salad, you know what an incredible dish it truly is.  Here’s the exact recipe so you can enjoy a little Disney dining at home:0123ZY_0061SM-640x426

For the Salad:

  • 1 cup of chopped iceberg lettuce
  • 1 cup of chopped chicory leave
  • 1 cup of tender watercress sprigs (plus additional sprigs for garnish)
  • 1 pound of finely chopped poached turkey breast
  • 2 medium ripe tomatoes – seeded and finely chopped
  • 1 avocado peeled, seeded and finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
  • 6 bacon strips cooked crisp and crumbled
  • 3 hard boiled eggs peeled and finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons snipped fresh chives
  • 1/2 cup of The Hollywood Brown Derby Old Fashioned French Dressing, chilled (recipe to follow)
  1. Toss the iceberg, chicory and watercress together and arrange in a salad bowl.
  2. In straight and separate lines, arrange the turkey, tomatoes, avocado, blue cheese, bacon and eggs on top of the chopped greens.
  3. Sprinkle the chives in two diagonal lines across the salad.
  4. When ready to serve, present the salad bowl at the table and toss with the chilled dressing.  Place on chilled plates and add watercress sprigs as garnish.

Brown Derby Old Fashioned French Dressing:

  • 2 tablespoons of water
  • 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon of minced garlic
  • 1/4 teaspoon of sugar
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon of dry English mustard
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons of olive oil
  1. Whisk together the water, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, salt, garlic, sugar, pepper and dry mustard together in a bowl until well blended.images
  2. While whisking constantly, add the vegetable oil and the olive oil in a slow, steady stream until the dressing is emulsified.
  3. Store covered and chill until you are ready to toss with your salad.
  4. Whisk dressing to blend just before serving.