Epcot - Japan Candy Artist

by Gaylin

Until recently, on the Epcot schedule, Japan had a candy artist. Her name was Miyuki and she was a wonderful artist, a great entertainer and her results were edible! Her cart was in front of the store at Japan and it was partially cordoned off as the rice candy had to be kept very hot to be pliable. Sadly she retired on November 23, 2013, she had been entertaining at the Japan pavilion since 1996.

She would ask for suggestions from the crowd as to what animals to make and once she had an idea, she would colour some of the rice candy and start working! She made more than one piece of art per show and it was amazing how fast she worked.

When we saw her, the first piece she made was a unicorn.

 

The second piece was a bird, not sure what kind but it is a beautiful shade of blue.

Miyuki did not always stay behind the cart, she walked around and sculpted while she walked and talked – multi-tasking at its finest. This is the beginning of a dragon.

The finished dragon.

I am not sure what this is but it was by far the most complicated piece of the show.

And finally, she asked me what I would like, I blurted out dolphin and got this lovely creature! Sadly I can't tell you how the candy tastes as it is made from rice and I am allergic. My friend said it was very good, he was glad to not have to share.

The ABC Commissary at Disney's Hollywood Studios

The ABC Commissary is a large counter service restaurant at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World, located on Commissary Lane, behind the American Idol Experience.

 

 

 

There are advertisements for ABC television shows constantly being played on the many TVs throughout the establishment. There are even costumes from popular shows on display, such as these from Once Upon a Time.

This is a large, clean looking, and nicely designed eatery.

Sadly, the food doesn't live up to the surroundings.

My wife and I have only eaten at the ABC Commissary a few times. In the past, I've gotten the 1/3 lb Angus Cheeseburger and Fried Shrimp, served with Apple Slices or French Fries. My wife would eat the shrimp, as I'm allergic, and I would eat the burger, which I really liked with the shrimp sauce, which I believe was a cocktail sauce. They have changed this to a rather bland horseradish sauce. In addition, the burger was dry.
We were with friends, who got the Chicken Bleu, which is also served with Apple Slices or French Fries. They described the chicken as chewy and flavorless.

With so many other food options available at Disney's Hollywood Studios, I can't recommend this one, and we will likely not be returning anytime soon.

Expedition Everest – Experience of a Life Time!

By: Shendl

On my last trip in 2004, a mountain was rising out of Asia in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. I made a vow then and there, that I would ride Everest on my next trip!

Fast Forward to Sept 2013…

Our first day in Walt Disney World was in Animal Kingdom. I had preselected my FastPass Plus’s(we had Magic Bands), our chosen ones were Kali River Rapids, Dinosaur and Expedition Everest!

We started out with Breakfast at Tusker House, followed by a wet ride on Kali River Rapids and then we made our way towards Everest.

The walk up to the ride is very well themed (it is Disney, after all) and there is a lot to look at on the walk to the Entry to Everest. We touched our Magic Bands to gain entry at our chosen FastPass + Window.  Being September, the crowds were very low so there were not a lot of people in the queues and the standby lines were moving very quickly. With the FastPass we basically walked right on. We were loaded into our vehicles, stowed away our belongings and off we went.

The beginning of the ride is quite slow and you get to see lots of Animal Kingdom on the way up to Everest itself.

When you enter Everest is where the FUN begins.

I won’t reveal too much in case some of the readers haven’t ridden this yet.

I can tell you that there is a part in the dark where you are going backwards and you also go forwards down a curved track very fast!!

I enjoyed this ride but I must admit when I got off it, my heart was beating so fast!!

It is worth riding Expedition Everest, even if you only ever do it once. You can at least tick it off your Disney Bucket List!

Some TIPs for riding Everest:

    •    If you are a Pin Trader and are wearing your Lanyard, either take in off before the ride or tuck it into your clothes. The speed’s you are going can cause pins to come loose and you could possibly loose some.
    •    The hold compartments in the ride are not very large, only big enough for small items such as Caps, Sunglasses etc. Make sure you have your backpacks and handbags securely between your feet.
    •    The PhotoPass (now Memory Maker) Screens are right at the exit of the ride before you walk into the shop. Make sure to write down the number of photo before you head to the counter to have it added to your package or to purchase the print.
    •    You may experience Motion Sickness on this ride so make sure to take some motion sickness medicine before you ride.

AWESOME Ride – WORTH every second!!

Breakfast: Landscape of Flavors at Disney's Art of Animation

By: Nick

Barbie and I usually don't eat a full breakfast at our resorts, that is until recently.
We used to just grab a snack, and try to make every park's rope drop. But now, with Magic Bands and FastPass+, we don't feel the need to rush!

On our trip in October of last year, we ate breakfast several mornings at Landscape of Flavors at Disney's Art of Animation Resort.

Landscape is a really wonderful food court with several food stations.

As you enter, you can get an overview of some of what they have to offer.

 
There are plenty of choices for breakfast, including smoothies, create your own fruit bowls, and one of my favorites, create your own yogurt parfait.

Choose from a selection of  fresh fruit, berries, dried fruits, grains, nuts and seeds.

There are several cereals.

Plenty of pastry items to tempt you.

One morning, Barbie had an egg white omelet from the Create Your Own Omelet station, which features a choice of ham, sausage, tomato, mushroom, onions, green bell peppers, cheddar cheese, Swiss cheese and turkey bacon served with biscuit, for $7.99.

We also had several other entrees, including the Bounty Platter: scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes, bacon, sausage, biscuit and pancakes for $8.29.
The bacon is typical Disney bacon, a bit thin and not very flavorful. I suggest the breakfast sausage if given a choice.

Chocolate Chip Pancakes with fresh fruit topping and choice of bacon or sausage, $7.99.
The Portuguese sausage is very tasty, but a bit overpowering for breakfast.

Last, but not least are these really tasty Waffles with Fresh Fruit Topping and Bacon, $7.39.

Landscape also serves lunch and dinner.

The seating sections represent the movies that are featured throughout the resort, Cars, Finding Nemo, The Little Mermaid, and The Lion King.

Landscape of Flavors is a great spot for either a quick snack or a sit down meal, but be warned, it can get very crowded, so try to arrive before too late in the morning, or eat at "off" times.

1900 Park Fare

Editors Note: I posted a very similar article to this yesterday, but my friend Gaylin sent this the day before I published mine, and she did not have prior knowledge of that article.
Despite having never met, and living thousands of miles apart, we share a love of Disney, and are very much on the same wavelength. As they say, great minds think alike.-Nick

by Gaylin

I do love Walt Disney World dining and do try to go someplace different at least once a vacation. I also am a fan of buffets as I have found Disney makes it easy to get safe allergy friendly food! When you arrive at the front podium to check in, let them know you have allergies and once you are seated a chef comes out and does a walk through of the buffet and shows you what is safe.

That being said, really I love the buffets where I get to interact with characters! 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian is one such restaurant. We had dinner reservations for the first seating and got to the resort early to walk around, enjoy the ambience and take some photos.

Then it was time to check in, shortly after we had our first plates from the buffet, a grand announcement goes up and Prince Charming and Cinderella come out! Very exciting. As they start to circulate and take photos, out comes Lady Tremaine with her daughters, Drizella and Anastasia.

Me and the Prince, and yes he was very charming!

I always feel like a scruffy step-daughter beside Cinderella in all her finery. She was so sweet!

 

I did try but I just can't do the Lady Tremaine face, must be the make-up . . . and that hair!

Anastasia was quite happy that we were in matching pink, see her beautiful smile . . .

Drizella was not so impressed that I matched her sister, sorry. I did try complementing her on her lovely make-up but she informed me that she wasn't wearing make-up, this was her natural beautiful state. Oops, my bad.

We did have a great meal, I got a special dessert made just for me, we left full and happy.

Dinner at 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian

By: Nick Maglio

This is going to be a different type of dinner review as I'm not really going to go into detail about the food at Cinderella's Happily Ever After Dinner at 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian.
The food is good, and includes a salad bar, several soups and stews, Smoked Beef Strip Loin, Pork Roast, salmon filet, paella, vegetable alfredo pasta, chicken marsala, mashed potatoes, green beans, jasmine rice and several desserts.
The kid's station includes Roasted Chicken, Cheese Pizza, Whole Grain Elbow Pasta, Mashed Potatoes, Corn, Broccoli and Carrots.
The real reason to eat here are the characters.
Cinderella and Prince Charming are very nice.

 Barbie, Cinderella, and our friend Kandi.

Barbie, Prince Charming, and Kandi.

But the highlight is Cinderella's evil stepmother, Lady Tremaine, and stepsisters Anastasia and Drizella. They are truly hilarious, and really made our evening. Make sure to pose for a photo with them!

Kandi, Lady Tremaine, and me.

Lady Tremaine making a snide remark about Kandi's Disney Marathon medal.

Barbie, Anastasia, and me.

Anastasia asks if the pink ring on Barbie's hand was an engagement ring, 

and says she'd love one just like it, as it matches her dress prefectly.

Drizella, and her prettiest smile!

There may be better buffets, but this interaction alone may be worth the trip to 1900 Park Fare!

Yak and Yeti at Disney's Animal Kingdom

By: Nick

Located in Disney's Animal Kingdom's Asia section is perhaps one of the most beautifully themed restaurants in all of Walt Disney World, Yak & Yeti.

As with almost everything in WDW, there is a back story.
Yak & Yeti is a house owned by a wealthy merchant who has fallen on hard times. To supplement his income, he has converted his home into an establishment that well-to-do travelers might seek out in India. It is filled with items collected by the owner and his family on their travels throughout Southeast Asia.

You can spend plenty of time just looking at all the incredible items scattered throughout.

My favorite dining area is on the second floor. We request a table by the window overlooking the courtyard, making it a great place to people watch as you enjoy your meal.

My wife and I ate here during it's opening week in 2007, and the food quality has not slipped a bit in the ensuing years.

On our most recent trip, my wife and I both ordered the same dish, the Chicken Lo Mein - Lo mein noodles, carrots, cabbage, green onions and bean sprouts. Served with chicken $17.99.

Yes, you can get Chicken Lo Mein at any Chinese restaurant, but this is the best either of us has ever had! Perfectly cooked chicken, noodles and vegetables. I could go for some right now!

On past trips we've had the Baby Back Ribs – slow-roasted ribs, hoisin BBQ sauce, chicken fried rice, sweet chili slaw: $25.99.

The ribs are very tender, and the spice tangy, but by no means overwhelming. The fried rice is amazing.

 
Crispy Mahi Mahi - filet of mahi mahi, Japanese bread crumbs, Cantonese sweet and sour sauce, jasmine rice, stir-fried vegetables: $23.99.

The mahi mahi is crispy on the outside, yet light, flaky and juicy inside. The chili sauce is lightly spicy and the vegetables are always fresh.

Duck with Anandapur Glaze – roasted half duckling, orange wasabi glaze, jasmine rice, stir-fried vegetables: $23.99.

The duck was delicious, and the sauce a perfect compliment.

Yak & Yeti is owned by Landry's Inc., which also owns the Rainforest Cafe and T-Rex Restaurants located at Walt Disney World, and they do not accept the Tables in Wonderland Card, but do give a 10% to Disney Vacation Club (DVC) members at lunch and dinner.

Sleeping Beauty Castle : Where in Walt Disney World?

Yes, I know that Sleeping Beauty Castle is in Disneyland, but this lovely painting of that castle can be found in Walt Disney World. Do you know where? The answer can be found below the photo.

uı ʞɔǝɥɔ ɹǝʌo 'ʇɹosǝɹ ʞןɐʍpɹɐoq s,ʎǝusıp ɟo ʎqqoן ǝɥʇ uı