I was right in the middle of something Ray!!!
Trying to make magic :(
September 17th, 2008 Tengaport
Ev gave the okay for a Walt Disney World weekend, but I’ve been having problems getting the pieces to fit. I originally wanted to get to WDW in October for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, but I could get either flights or a hotel - but not both.
Sure there were plenty of flights and hotels available, and if I was in a position to drop $5,000 on weekend I would’ve booked them - but I’m looking to do this trip for slightly less, say around $500.
I was going to book us at Port Orleans - French Quarter, but I hesitated yesterday and now the resort is no longer available.
What is currently Available is the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Port Orleans - Riverside and The Caribbean Beach Resort.
I’m torn, but leaning towards the Animal Kingdom Lodge - as it is my favorite. I still haven’t been able to find flights for this particular weekend yet, so we’ll see…
Touring WDW via Google Earth
May 21st, 2008 Tengaport
3D renders of Walt Disney World have begun to sprout up in Google Earth. I heard they were on the way while listening to the Inside the Magic Podcast, and immediately downloaded Google Earth to check them out. So far I’ve only run across the Swan & Dolphin hotel as well as the Italy pavilion at Epcot’s World Showcase.
There are promises of further ‘interactivity’ with these structures, including videos, the ability to make reservations and more. Looking forward to checking it all out.
Disney Eats: 50’s Prime Time Café
March 21st, 2008 Tengaport
Here’s another one of my usual stops while at Walt Disney World, and one of the reasons I can’t pass up Disney’s Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM Studios). The 50’s Prime Time Café welcomes you home to a typical, 50’s era, suburban kitchen. Your ‘cousins’ are always happy to see you provided you make sure to wash up before sitting at the table.
Knick-Knacks and fake windows/blinds set the theme while black and white televisions loop endless 50’s programming (including my personal favorite, What to Do on a Date). Just make sure to mind your manners and keep your elbows off the table.
Things can get quite loud at times with the staff really playing up their parts, so if you’re looking for a quiet meal you might want to stay away. Nobody likes to be called out for not finishing their vegetables, but if you clean you’re plate your cousins will make sure to make you proud.
The menu has ‘home cooked’ favorites such as meatloaf, fried chicken, pot roast and milk shakes. The dessert menu can be seen (and I do recommend you see it) via a Viewmaster. I don’t recall exactly what it is called, but the brownie sundae is always delicious.
Disney Eats: Sci Fi Dine In
December 11th, 2007 Tengaport
Here is another of my favorite places to eat at Walt Disney World where the ambiance outweighs the food. The Sci Fi Dine In Theatre, located at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (new name) is a fantastic re-creation of a drive in theater under a star filled sky.
Tables are replaced with 1950’s-esque cars parked and pointed at a giant screen showing period-era sci-fi trailers and clips. While this seating arrangement isn’t the most convienent for families or groups, it can create a nice ‘date-nite’ type romantic setting.
In my experience, the Sci Fi Dine In is best visited for lunch as the dinner menu can be out of place for the setting and in my opinion wasn’t very good. Lunch however consists of fantastic sandwiches and milkshakes. The prices on the menu can be a bit higher than expected but just consider it the ‘atmosphere tax’.
After sitting for an hour inside the Sci Fi Dine In you can forget that just outside the doors is the blazing hot Florida sun. Great place to share with friends and a must-see for first time Disney visitors.
Disney Eats: San Angel Inn
December 10th, 2007 Tengaport
Located inside the Mexico pavilion at Epcot’s World Showcase, the San Angel Inn gets a big nod from me when it comes to the category of ‘ambiance’. The interior of the Mexico pavilion is fantastically themed from floor to ceiling. Add in a smoldering volcano, a river passage and an ancient pyramid and you have a enchanting setting for a sit down meal.
Unfortunately, the food at the San Angel Inn takes a back seat to the setting but it’s far from terrible. Chicken enchiladas and guacamole usually top out my order from what I recall as a ’slim pickings’ menu. Despite my qualms with the food, the fantastic setting of the San Angel Inn keeps me coming back time and again.
Favorite Walt Disney World Eats
December 6th, 2007 Tengaport
Looks as if 2007 is going to go down as the year that broke my Disney streak. For over 10 years in a row I have been visiting WDW, but 2007 has is coming to a close and sadly so is my streak. I’m hoping to start a new one however with a trip in 2008, but we’ll see about that.
In the meantime, to help with my Walt Disney World withdrawal I thought I’d start pointing out some of my favorite eateries around the world. First to come to mind is Boma at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.
With the tag line ‘Flavors of Africa’ Boma gets my award for best buffet in the world. The variety of food and the quality challenge the notion of what a typical buffet might be. So many unusual yet delicious foods are available for the picking along with prime rib, salmon and pulled pork.
Both times I’ve been to Boma I’ve eaten dangerously past the point of being stuffed. I’ll try to take it easy next time I’m there, which will hopefully be soon as Boma is ‘required eating’ for every WDW vacation from here on in.
Haunted Mansion - Re-Haunting
October 11th, 2007 TengaportI can’t wait to get to WDW to see this for myself
