Weekly Round Up: April 23
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Posted on April 23, 2013 by
Kali queue

This spot in the Kali queue is one of my favorites in DAK

Happy Birthday, Animal Kingdom! If you were under a rock (or without Internet access) yesterday, you may have missed the fact that DAK turned 15 years old, but now that you know, I hope you’ll sing her a birthday song. She’s worth it.

In fact, she’s one of my favorite Parks. It wouldn’t seem crazy to me to spend the entire day in DAK without getting on a single ride. I love to walk around and soak up the atmosphere. I’ve even been known to slowly wend my way through the queues of Expedition Everest and Kali River Rapids without ever stepping foot on the attraction.

It truly is Disney love.

#DAK15
Estelle shared The Muppets’ favorite DAK attractions on This Happy Place Blog.

The guys wrote a beautiful tribute to Animal Kingdom on The Disney Hipster Blog. She inspired them! Another reason to love DAK!

Safari Mike of  Bwana Blog shares some of the many hidden paths in this gem.

Come on a safari with  At Disney Again: a beautiful photo tour of Kilimanjaro Safaris.

One Little Spark of Inspiration
Rich celebrates a supremely weird feature living among some of the weirdest Disney things on Mouse Troop. (File this under: I can’t wait to visit DCA!)

Shane laughs (with terror) at a particularly baffling giant snail on Parkeology.

Tim of Mickey Mutineers makes it impossible to select a nighttime spectacular at Disneyland.

The folks at Touring Plans Blog have the details on A Pirate’s Adventure. Can’t wait to try this!

What are you reading this week?? Let us know in the comments!

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Musical Monday: Future World Brass
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Posted on April 22, 2013 by

I pretty much have nothing to say here. Last week was awful and draining, and so to make sure this week gets off on the right foot, I pulled together something that every Disney fan can love: a bunch of videos of live music from EPCOT.

I mean, whether you long EPCOT or hate it, I think we can all agree that live music in the Parks is awesome, right? So let’s enjoy some live music performed by Future World Brass, shall we …

That last one was from the group’s last set on their last day of working at EPCOT. Which is a sad thing, I guess, but at least we have it on video for posterity!

What’s your favorite live entertainment in the Parks? Let us know below. 

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Weekly Round Up: April 16
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Posted on April 16, 2013 by
Spaceship Earth at Night

Spaceship Earth from the Top of the World

You guys!! It’s been a whirlwind past couple of weeks. Lots of fun stuff going on! Like the afternoon I spent visiting the New York World Fair (which you’ll read about later this week) and the evening I spent at Wrestlemaina. And all sorts of other craziness that’s made me over the moon happy but doesn’t always allow as much time as I’d like for keeping up with the blog. But there’s a ton of stuff coming up in the next few days, so I hope you’ll visit again and check it out!

To Worlds Beyond
Special thanks to  Ryan of Main Street Gazette and Sarah of Eating WDW for including MotM in their weekend “best of” posts.

One Little Spark of Inspiration
An awesome history lesson from Disney Hipster Blog this week: The Hoochie Coochie.

You’re invited to Barbie’s Epcot Birthday Party on The Retroist.

Estelle of This Happy Place Blog encourages us to SING one of my favorite songs from childhood.

On Disney Hipster Blog, the guys shared an adorable Magic Kingdom haiku (my favorite form of poetry).

The nation’s two Towers of Terror go head to head on Mickey Mutineers.

AJ of Disney Food Blog has the inside scoop on Hollywood Studios’ cute, green dino.

On Mouse Troop, Rich pitches some attraction-based Disney films.

What are you reading this week?? Let us know in the comments!

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Musical Monday: One Woman Show
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Posted on April 15, 2013 by

Remember a few weeks ago, when I was all about the a capella stylings of some college dudes? Then there were two high school guys who are clearly freaky musical prodigies, right?

Well, today, I’ve found another high schooler who has some serious musical chops, and she’s only got eyes for Disney. Take a look. But make sure you’re sitting down because this really is amazing:

Is she kidding me with this shit?!?! Heather Traska was only 17 when she made this, and she plays more than 30 characters, each with his or her own costume and voice part. Not only did she arrange the piece (which is beautiful), but she also did all of her own costumes and makeup. It took her 86 days to film and an entire month to edit. What am I doing with my life?! I’ve never made anything this cool.

Of course, she couldn’t cram all of her talented into that one video, so there are others. Lots of others. Like A Whole New World. And here’s The Little Mermaid. She also does a lot of Whitney Houston covers, which makes me a happy little monkey.

And because she is even more epically awesome than any of us could have hoped, she has also made video tutorials about how to create the makeup she wore in the video. Here’s her Simba eye makeup, Mushu makeup, Ariel hair and makeup, and a bunch of others. Go to her YouTube channel and worship at her altar.

What do you think of her one-woman show? Love it? Super love it? Share your thoughts below.

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Saturday Something: Disney Dogs
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Posted on April 13, 2013 by

Remember the Puppy Bowl? That was cute, right? I thought that was pretty much the cutest thing ever. Then the other day, I was browsing the Internet when I found a photo of the most adorable dogs I’ve ever seen:

Mary Puppies and Bark

Mary Puppies and Bark

And that sent me on a downward spiral through the Internet in search of amazing photos of dogs dressed like Disney characters.

You’re welcome.

Disney Dogs

Mad Hatter

Mad Hatter is grumpy

Dumbo Dog

Dumbo dog

Sleepy Mickey

Sleepy Mickey

 

Minnie Mutt

Minnie Mutt

Snow White

Snow White

Carl from Up

Carl from Up

Avenger Pups

Captain America ... the dog

Captain America … the dog

 

Hulk ... the dog

Hulk … the dog

Baaaaarrrrrrrrrrrkers

Yo Ho Yo Ho! A Pirate Dog for me!

Yo Ho Yo Ho! A Pirate Dog for me!

 

Captain Hook and Smee

Captain Hook and Smee

Darth Doggies

Darth Pup

Darth Pup

Size matters not.

Size matters not.

Chewie

Chewie

Have you ever dressed your dog as a Disney character? I hope you’ll share photos!

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Quick Bite: Smokey Portobello Soup at Artist Point
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Posted on April 11, 2013 by

Artist Point Mushroom Soup (Mouse on the Mind) You may remember that I visited—and fell in love with—Artist Point at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge more than a year ago. When I returned, I knew the first thing I was going to order without even looking at the menu: Smokey Portobello Soup.

This delightfully rich, creamy bowl of soup will set you back $10, but it is so worth it for the warm feeling that spreads through your whole body as you slurp on the deliciousness. The crispy, slightly chewy mushroom island floating atop the soup adds a great textural element. How I wish I could recreate them at home.

Here’s the best tip you’ll ever get from this blog: take a piece of bread, dip it into the soup and place it on your tongue, soup-side down. The velvety smooth soup will roll over your tongue in the most seductive way.

It is, hands down, the best soup I’ve ever had in my life.

What’s your favorite appetizer on Disney property? 

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Musical Monday: Walk the Dinosaur
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Posted on April 8, 2013 by

I really love Dinoland. And when I am in Dinoland, I really love to eat at Restaurantosaurus. I love it for many, many, many reasons, but one of the big ones is the soundtrack. How can you not love the charming collection of dinosaur-themed tunes?

And while everyone knows and gets chuckle from “It’s the End of the World as We Know It,” my personal favorite song in this loop is Walk the Dinosaur by Was (Not Was):

Tots to Teens costumes

Me and sister in dance costumes (obviously not the dinosaur ones)

This song.

I may be dating myself a little bit here, but I danced to this song. On stage. As part of a performance for my dance class when I was 6 or 7.

I wish there was a video of it. A bunch of us wore the cutest little dinosaur costume, and the older girls wore Pebbles-style cave girl outfits. And yes, we did parts of the dance featured in the video. It was amazing. And so, so 80s.

Whether I pull up a chair in The Hip Joint or cozy up in the Airstream trailer booth, when this song comes on the loop, I just can’t stop smiling.

And it’s possible that maybe I do a little shoulder shimmy. That goes double for when I hear the few lines from this song in the electronic bleeps and bloops of The Electrical Water Pageant.

Do you have a favorite song from a Disney eatery? Maybe something by Sonny Eclipse? Let us know!

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Saturday Something: Cakes for our Boba Fett
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Posted on April 6, 2013 by

Williams Sonoma. I can’t afford to shop there, but browsing is free.

Recently, I visited with my friend Sarah (of Deliciously Wicked fame), and we found some awesome Disney-themed kitchen items that will be great for your next Disney movie night or birthday party.

Star Wars
A long time ago in a kitchen far, far away, a Jedi baker developed some really adorable intergalactic gadgetry. In honor of Disney’s recent acquisition of Lucasfilm, these kitchenwares are especially appropriate.

Star Wars Cookie Cutters (Mouse on the Mind)

You can take a bite out of Darth Vader with these Star Wars Cookie Cutters. But what kind of cookie dough would you use? It seems wrong to make Storm Trooper sugar cookies.

R2DFlipper (Mouse on the Mind)

Chirp chirp, morning people. Flip your pancakes in style with these out-of-this-world spatulas.

Snow White
If a poison apple isn’t quite your speed, there are some more delicious ways to celebrate this classic Disney film. They’re perfect for seven untidy little children (or however many you happen to have at home).

Snow White Cookie Cutters (Mouse on the Mind)

Now here’s a face that deserved the sugar cookie treatment! Oh, you think they look delicious? Yes, but wait ’til you taste one, dearie. Go on. Go on, have a bite …

Snow White Cake Pan (Mouse on the Mind)

Can you imagine serving these adorable little cakelets at a young girl’s tea party?? You’ll be the best mom in the state! And, as a plus, I’ve included a charming little recipe for the perfect Snow White cake:

Mummy dust, to make me old. To shroud my clothes, the black of night. To age my voice, and old hag’s cackle. To whiten my hair, a scream of fright. A blast of wind to fan my hate. A thunderbolt to mix it well.

Don’t forget the thunderbolt. I hate lumpy cake!

The Avengers
In the end, it will be every man for himself… in the kitchen! That’s why you need to arm yourself with these amazing Marvel’s The Avengers-themed utensils before the Chitauri swarm New York City.

Avengers Spatula (Mouse on the Mind)

These flippers are so pretty … and tiny! (Just like humans.) And they’re fully prepared to Avenge your breakfast. And Agent Coulson.

Avengers Cake Pan (Mouse on the Mind)

Finally, little boys can eat gendered confections, too!! Not only have you got your awesome Avengers, but they threw Spiderman and Wolverine in there for good measure, too. (New Avengers … yuk.)

I seriously can’t get over how amazing these cake creations are. Thor totally looks like a girl, and Iron Man looks like he stepped out of Futurama. (Do you think he’s an “acting unit” or a “peace bot”? This is going to bug me all weekend.)

True fact: I didn’t buy any of these things. I just photographed them on my iPhone like a creeper. However, if you do purchase any of them, please send me something sweet. Consider it a finder’s fee.

Will your next party be a Disney-themed party? Tell us about your plans in the comments below! 

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Bottoms Up: Coconut Elixir
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Posted on April 5, 2013 by
Melissa loves Cocktails (Mouse on the Mind)

Me & a cocktail at Tune-In Lounge

If you want to find me after the Parks close in Walt Disney World, you can usually find me in a bar. Because there’s no better cure for footsore than a cocktail. And there’s no better way to bond with friends than over a delicious signature sip.

But I am getting up in years. At almost 30, I’m no spring chicken, and I can’t drink all night without consequences anymore. Bummer, yea? So I’ve started moderating my drinking. Instead of three Bay Lake Sunsets, I’ll order two Bay Lake Sunsets and a Coconut Elixir.

What’s a Coconut Elixir, you say? It’s one of Disney’s Signature Non-Alcoholic beverages, a delightful blend of pineapple, coconut and cranberry. It’s super delish and super hydrating. Plus it looks like a fancy cocktail, so I don’t have to put up with people asking me why I switched to water.

So as you all know, I recently moved, and I wanted to christen the new place with a delicious Disney treat. And I couldn’t think of anything better than a Coconut Elixir. Yummmmmmmmm.

And here’s the recipe:

Coconut Elixir Recipe

I didn’t have the Monin Coconut Syrup, but I had everything else on hand, and I really didn’t notice a difference. I do think I went a little heavy on the coconut water, though, because it was a little salty. But otherwise, it was pretty perfect. And a really nice way to say “Welcome Home!”

Homemade Coconut Elixir

What’s your favorite non-alcoholic specialty at Disney World? Let us know in the comments below! 

 

Thanks to @YesThatBrian from Touring Plans for sending us the recipe! 
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Thrifty Thursday: Eat This Not That At Resort Hotels
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Posted on April 4, 2013 by

It’s been awhile since we’ve ventured into “Eat This, Not That” territory, so I decided to give the menus at some of my favorite resort dining spots another look:

Breakfast at Animal Kingdom Lodge

The Expensive Version
Boma is an ultra-amazing buffet with a full compliment of delicious, authentic foods to try. Yum, yum and more yum. All of this can be yours for $20-24 (depending on when you visit).

The Less Expensive Version
The buffet is full on delish, but who wants to eat so many rich, heavy foods before a day in the Parks? Take on a more manageable portion of authentic foods at The Mara where you can get an African-Inspired Breakfast Platter for $6.79 or a Bobotie Plater for $6.99.

Potential Savings: $17.21

Continue reading on The Affordable Mouse →

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