Show 055 - Disney News Show

Welcome to the show notes that accompany podcast number 055 that can be listened to be either subscribing in iTunes (click here), Stitcher Radio, using a podcast catching app or clicking on the link below. 

On the show, we talk about the upcoming D23 event in Anaheim, which is on Friday 14th til Sunday 16th August 2015. Sarah shares her top tips and strategies to be able to see the hot tickets. If you wish to plan your own schedule, why not visit to D23 website.

Next on our news agenda, was Shanghai Disneyland. The park opens in 2016 and there will be six themed lands, plus a Disneyland and Toy Story Hotel, a Disneytown and a Wishing Star Park.

Pirates Cove - Photo Credit Disney Parks Blog

Both Sarah and Michelle agreed it looked awesome and also discussed rumours that some of the attractions will be coming across to the USA parks. 

Then, Michelle shared details of a brand new tour available at Walt Disney World, Fort Wilderness Resort, called Walt's Wilderness. This five hour tour costs $109 and whilst it showcases many of the things to do at Fort Wilderness it also connects everything to stories about Walt.  

Tri-Circle-D Ranch - Photo Credit Disney Website

Breakfast - Photo Credit Disney Website

Frozen Meets at WDW

What about the Ice Palace Boutique? This is offered at DHS for children age 3-12 for a Frozen makeover. Starting at $19.95 to $240 plus tax, there are a range of packages available from an Olaf glittery hairstyle and t-shirt to the deluxe package which has make-up, nails, hair pieces, photo op, access to the Ice palace Café and reserved seating at the ‘For the first time in Forever” sing-along, and an Ana or Elsa costume. The show seating is for up to 6 guests, and the higher end packages include entry to the Ice Palace Café with snacks whilst they wait to meet and greet. Available til 7^th September.

Photo Credit Disney Website

Also, Sarah discussed the 60th celebrations that occurred at Disneyland and her disappointment over the event only being 18 minutes long. Despite waiting three hours, Michelle got a better view from 5000 miles away! But Sarah did win out as she got to spend the day in Disneyland with her lovely husband, Richard, as well as try one of the 100,000 free cupcakes Disney gave away.

Photo Credit Disney Parks Blog

Finally, we recently received news that we had won a Disney Podcast Award - yay! We have now won the best foreign show two years in a row. We would therefore, like to take this opportunity to thank our wonderful listeners because without you we are just girls talking Disney!

Show 054 - WDW & Disneyland Hidden Foodie Gems

Welcome to the show notes that accompany podcast number 054 that can be listened to be either subscribing in iTunes (click here), Stitcher Radio, using a podcast catching app or clicking on the link below. 

This show was all about the food! Below are the menu descriptions of these delectable munchies together with some pictures. 

The Best Salad - Disneyland

Big Al's Chicken Salad
Photo Credit Disney Parks Blog

Hungry Bear Restaurant - Big Al's Chicken Salad $9.99

smoked chicken on top of romaine and iceberg lettuce with watermelon, candied pecans, dried cherries, pickled red onions, and honey-lime vinaigrette. Also available minus the chicken for no price difference

Rancho Del Zocalo - Tostada Salad $11.99

"Fajita Style" Beef, Chicken, or Vegetables presented in a Crispy Tortilla Shell with Refried Beans, Chopped Lettuce and topped with Cheddar and Jack Cheese.

Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port $9.99

Asian Chicken Salad

Marinated chicken, lettuce, cabbage, mandarin oranges and carrots tossed in a hoisin-soy vinaigrette, topped with sesame seeds, toasted almonds and won-ton strips

House of Blues $14.99

Cobb Salad

Romaine and field greens tossed in Catalina dressing topped with poached chicken, applewood bacon, sweet tear drop tomatoes, egg, avocado, and bleu cheese

Napa Rose, available from the bar $22 (or restaurant)

"Smiling Tiger Salad"

Tempura Fried Lobster, Spicy Beef, Asian Greens and Coconut-Lime Vinaigrette

The Best Salad - Walt Disney World

Earl of Sandwich - $6.99

Thai Chicken Salad

Filed greens, grilled chicken, Chinese cabbage mix, sweet chili sauce, wonton strips & Thai peanut dressing

ABC Commissary @ DHS - $11.69

Asian Salad with Salmon

Tossed-to-order 

Contempo Café @ Contemporary - $8.79

Steakhouse Salad

Freshly tossed with Marinated Beef, Red Onions, Goat Cheese, Tomatoes, and Mustard Vinaigrette with a warm Pita Wedge            

Steak and Feta Salad
Photo Credit - M Young

House of Blues @ Downtown Disney - $16.99

Blackened Shrimp Salad

Blackened shrimp served over red cabbage, baby spinach, chopped peanuts, red onions, carrots, chopped cilantro, pickled red Fresno peppers and wonton chips tossed with spicy citrus vinaigrette

The Plaza Restaurant @ MK - $15.49

Chicken Strawberry Salad

Fresh Garden Greens, Grilled Chicken Breast, Cucumbers, fresh Strawberries, and Gorgonzola tossed in a White Zinfandel Vinaigrette Dressing  

Planet Hollywood @ Downtown Disney - $16.99

Spinach & Peaches Salad

Grilled chicken, baby spinach, peaches, strawberries, candied walnuts, bleu cheese crumbles served with tomato balsamic vinaigrette 

Watermelon and Feta Salad - $14.99

Watermelon, feta cheese, arugula, baby spinach and tomatoes served with lemon vinaigrette.

The Most Unhealthiest Food Item - Disneyland

This is a throw up between much discussed Monte Christo Sandwich and a corndog but I have found a few other foods for discussion!

Our Ciaran with his 1st Monte Christo!
Photo Credit - M Young

Hollywood Land, Award Wieners - $7.49

Chili Cheese Dog

Premium hot dog, topped with chili, Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheese, served with sliced apples or chips

ESPN Zone, Cheese Fries - $10.99

Golden fries smothered with bacon, cheddar, mozzarella, and pepper jack cheese served with ranch dressing.

The Most Unhealthiest Food Item - Walt Disney World

French Toast Brioche

Wolfgang Puck Express @ Downtown Disney - $11.00

Corn Flakes French Toast

seasonal fresh Fruit and Maple Syrup 

Backlot Express @ DHS - $9.69

Spicy Buffalo Chicken Breast Nuggets

8 Pieces served with Carrot Sticks or French Fries    

Casey’s Corner @ MK - $5.49

Corn Dog Nuggets

Gaston’s Tavern - $9.79

Roasted Pork Shank 

A Burger But With a Twist - Disneyland

Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen - Ultimate Bayou Burger $17.00

Chicken burger stuffed with caramelized peppers, onions, Andouille sausage, Asisago cheese and Creole spices. Topped with baby greens, Roma tomatoes, gulf shrimp remoulade, Cajun slaw and served with red beans and rice

Carnation Café, Chef's Vegan Burger - $12.99

House-Made Bean and Vegetable Patty, Tomato, Lettuce, Pickled Red Onions, and Vegan Chipotle-Mayonnaise on a Multigram Roll

Tangaroa Terrace, Angus 1/3 lb. Hawaiian Cheeseburger $11.19

Ground Angus Burger with Teriyaki Sauce, Fresh Grilled Pineapple, Havatii Cheese, Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato on a Multigrain Bun with choice of Sweet Potato Fries or Green Papaya Slaw

Uva Bar, by the Catal Restaurant, Lamb Burger - $17.00

With piquilo peppers, spicy feta, arugula, lemon dill aioli, pickled red onion, brioche bun and Uva fries.

A Burger But With a Twist - Walt Disney World

House of Blues @ Downtown Disney - $14.99

Smoked BBQ Bacon burger 

Topped with cheddar cheese, smoked tomato BBQ Sauce, applewood bacon, crispy pickled jalapeños, sautéed bourbon onions on a brioche bun and served with fries  

The Fountain @ Dolphin - $15.95

Ahi Tuna Burger

Served Medium Rare with Spicy Asian Slaw, Sesame Seed Bun

Gasparilla Island Grill @ Grand Floridian - $11.99

Grand Gaspy Burger

1/3 lb Angus Burger, Tillamook Cheddar, Pulled Pork, Barbecue Mayonnaise, and Onion Frits with Cucumber Salad             

Grand Floridian Café @ Grand Floridian - $19.49

Surf and Turf Burger

Angus Chuck Burger, Butter-poached Lobster, Red Onion Marmalade, and Arugula on a Brioche Bun with Chips

Paradiso 37 @ Downtown Disney $16.99

Bacon & Pineapple Burger

8 oz. Char Grilled Angus Steak Burger, Smoked Gouda, Pineapple Poblano Chutney, Candied Bacon, Toasted Brioche Bun

Cocktails - Disneyland

Hearthstone Lounge, Forever Young

Tito's Handmade Vodka, Cedilla Acai Liqueur, Muddled Blueberries, Agave Nectar, and fresh Lemon Juice

Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar

Schweitzer Falls

Tropical Juices and Sam's Gorilla Grog topped with Sprite.

Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar, Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Rum

Reserve Rum, Cream of Coconut, and Pineapple and Orange Juices dusted with Cinnamon and Nutmeg

Carthay Circle - $830.00

Bottle of Louis Roederer Champagne, Cristal Rose, Reims 2004

Cocktails - Walt Disney World

50’s Prime Time Cafe - $10.25

Godiva Chocolate Martini

Godiva Chocolate Liqueur, Stoli Vanil Vodka, White Crème de Cacao, and Frangelico 

Artist Point at Wildernes Lodge - $9.25

Coffee House Espresso Martini

Absolut Vodka, Kahlua Coffee Liqueur, and Espresso   

California Grill @ Contemporary - $11.00

Passion Fruit Margarita

Patrón Silver Tequila and Cointreau Noir with Passion Fruit Purée   

Show 53 - Disney News

Welcome to the show notes that accompany our podcast episode 53. Our show can be found by visiting the iTunes store or by using the player below.



This week, it was officially announced that Disney Quest will close in 2016 to make way for the NBA Experience. Disney Quest has been open since 1998 and this high-tech, five storey indoor interactive theme park is now slightly out of date. We guess Disney want to ensure this large space is giving them, and their guests, the best return possible.

Next is another Walt Disney World closure and this time it is at Disney Hollywood Studios. The Magic of Disney Animation is due to close by 18th July 2015. It is quite a sad day with the animation element of this park leaving but as we are unsure on what is coming, I guess I will hold judgement. However, I will be very upset if elements of One Man's Dream is not incorporated somewhere within WDW.

Whilst at DHS, permits that have been submitted hinting that the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights will be around for 2015 but further than that their future is unknown. 

Over at Walt Disney World is the Contemporary Resort and their new offering titled 'Family Culinary Adventure'. This is a cooking based activity for guests aged 9 and over, offered twice a week in the resorts kitchens. It involves being assigned to a kitchen station and spending an hour performing food preparation, before sitting down to a five course meal (wine and beer are included with the price) with chef entertainment/demonstration. Roughly lasting 3 1/2 hours guests will then leave with not just full tummies but a signed Disney cookbook and a chefs hat. Cost? $175 for adults and $125 for guests aged 9 to 12. Personally, I think for those ages 12-20 who are not able to drink alcohol that price is a little high otherwise it is something I really really want to do!

Photo Credit Disney Parks Blog

Final WDW stop is at EPCOT and this is for the dates of the Candlelight Processional. Whilst, not all narrators have been announced, we hope this guide will help you plan your trip.

TBD - November 27 to 29, 2015
Neil Patrick Harris - November 30 to December 3, 2015
Whoopi Goldberg - December 4 and 5, 2015
 Joe Morton - December 6 to 8, 2015
TBD - December 9 to 11, 2015
Meredith Vieira - December 12 to 14, 2015
 TBD - December 15 to 23, 2015
Edward James Olmos - December 24 to 26, 2015
 TBD - December 27 to 28, 2015
Amy Grant - December 29 to 30, 2015

The show takes place three times a day, except for 6th December 2015 and as usual, narrators and details can change. Park tickets cover the cost of this, however lines for showings can get long. Therefore there is the option to take advantage of a dining plan which guarantees a seat.

Now lets visit Disneyland and Anaheim City Council has agreed to extend the arrangement of not charging visitors to Disneyland ticket-taxes for a further 30 years. This is in return to Disney being committed to commence building work by the end of 2017 for a theme park expansion. This expansion must be complete by 2024. Can't wait to hear what these plans will be!

Photo Credit Disney Parks Blog

Finally, we mention two pieces of merchandise on this weeks show. Artist Jasmine Becket-Griffith stunning artwork and the uber cute Orange Bird plush.

Photo Credit D23 Website

This week sadly, Disney imagineer, sculptor and legend, Blaine Gibson, died at the age of 97. Blaine Gibson began his career at Disney Studios as an artist working under an assistant animator; working on Fantasia, Bambi and Peter Pan. However, he was a student at Pasadena City College studying sculpture. This led to Walt moving him to work on his Disneyland project and rising to the role of head of sculpture in WED Enterprises. If it is sculpted, it’s likely Blaine did it. We are left with a legacy of figures in the parks, the most prominent being the partners statue, namely Mickey Mouse and Walt Disney, which was installed in 1993. 

“Blaine Gibson was one of the most important storytellers among all the great talents on Walt Disney’s team of Imagineers,” said Marty Sklar, former vice-chairman of Walt Disney Imagineering. “He showed all of us how to make our Disney park show characters so realistic you never had to guess the role of any three-dimensional figure in our attractions.”

Thank you for reading and hopefully listening. We will be back on July 19th with more Disney food and a special mouth-watering food filled feature.

Show 52 - Best Disney Desserts Including the Kitchen Sink!

Welcome to the show notes that accompany our podcast episode 52 (our show can be found by visiting the iTunes store or by clicking here to listen now. Whether you listen to the show or not, we hope you will enjoy reading about something we hold close to our hears - desserts! Below, we have ten sumptuous categories for your delectation and I am sure between Walt Disney World and Disneyland you will find something to your liking to try.

Category 1 - Most Calories

WDW, Narcoossees at Grand Floridian, Candy Bar

Dark Chocolate-Mocha Bar with House-made Guanaja Chocolate Gelato - $11.00

Or California Grill at the Contemporary the Warm Homemade Fritters

Banana-stuffed, Cinnamon-dusted Fritters complemented with a Trio of Dipping Sauces - $13.00

Disneyland, Stage Door Café, Frontierland, House-Made Funnel Cakes

With strawberry, chocolate, or powdered sugar topping $6.49 

Or Entire Ghiradelli Menu

Narcoossees Candy Bar

Least Calories

WDW, piece of fruit $1.69 or fruit cup $3.79

Disneyland, pineapple spear and spice it up with Tajun spice

Fruitiest

WDW, Dole Whip or pineapple whip 

Or Tamu Tamu Refreshments at AK with either dark rum or coconut rum - $6.50

Or The Wave, Contemporary, Strawberry-peach Belini Cake

Peach-glazed Sponge Cake layered with Almonds and Strawberry Mousse accompanied by Champagne Sorbet - $6.99

Disneyland, Ritas Baja Blenders in DCA The Tropicool

Strawberry non alcoholic drink $5.39 though they have lemon and sometimes cherry

Or Jolly Holiday Bakery, Meyer Lemon and strawberry tart

Crisp shortbread cookie filled with light creamy sweetened Meyer lemon cream topped with thinly sliced strawberries and then has a puree of fresh strawberries and top with cream and a white chocolate square

Or Carthay Circle Summer Pineapple Coconut Semifreddo Rum vanilla pineapple conserve and chilled tropical fruit broth $12.00

Tropicool Drink

Meyer Lemon and Strawberry Tart

For the chocoholic

Disneyland, The Plazza, Seasonal Yule Log

Chocolate sponge with a thick layer of chocolate chestnut cream and covered in a dark chocolate ganche (recommended by Denise Jones)

Or chocolate mousse cupcake

Or Village Haus, black forest cupcake $5.49

Or Carthay Circle, Valrhona Milk Chocolate Creme Brulee Tart

Fresh marinated raspberries and chocolate sauce $12.00

Or Ghiradellis Decadent Drinking Chocolate with Biscotti - Made with melted semi-sweet chocolate chips and packed with intense chocolate flavor in every rich, velvety sip $4.95

 

Valrhona Milk Chocolate Creme Brûlée Tart

Yule Log, Photo Credit Denise Jones

Best Value

WDW, Beaches and Cream Soda Shop, Kitchen Sink

8 Scoops of Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry, Coffee, and Mint Chocolate Chip smothered in every topping they have plus pound cake, cookies, muffins, cherries, whole can of whipped cream and everything but the kitchen sink!

Or Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory at Port Orleans French Quarter – Beignets 3 for $2.99 or 6 for $4.29 – proper New Orleans style beignets, little pillows of dough doused in sugar

Or From Mara, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Zebra Domes pack of 5

Consist of a thin layer of white cake, a dome of Amarula Liqueur mousse, coated in a white chocolate ganache with a dark chocolate ganache drizzle.

Disneyland, PCH Grill at Paradise Pier Hotel offers a Kitchen sink for $22.49

Or Golden Horseshoe Hot Fudge Sundae - two scoops of vanilla ice cream and two freshly baked chocolate chip cookies topped with whipped cream, hot fudge, chocolate morsels and a cherry $6.29 

Or Ghiradelli Presidio Passion - Strawberry Hot Fudge Sundae

Vanilla ice cream smothered between layers of sliced strawberry topping and our freshly homemade hot fudge, beautifully topped with whipped cream and a chocolate covered strawberry $9.95 when you consider the choc covered strawberry is $4.95

Zebra domes

Kitchen Sink, Photo Credit WDW Website

Worst Value

WDW, Ghiradelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop at Downtown Disney -The Earthquake Family Favourite

Eight scoops of Ice Cream, eight delicious toppings, finished with fresh Bananas, Whipped Cream, Chopped Almonds, Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips and Cherries - $34.95 – simply because this makes the kitchen sink look even better value!

Disneyland Ghiradelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop Earthquake Family Favourite

Eight scoops of ice cream, eight delicious toppings, finished with fresh bananas, whipped cream, chopped almonds, semi-sweet chocolate chips and cherries $37.95

Or Anything lemony!

Most Interesting Way to Serve Ice-Cream

WDW, L’Artisan des Glaces, EPCOT, croque en glace

Warm brioche bun with any flavour ice-cream in the middle with either chocolate or raspberry sauce – is this just not a posh Arctic Roll?

Disneyland, Clarabelle’s in DCA, Mickey Sundae

These sundaes are served in the Mickey pants ice cream dish Chocolate Chip Cookie & Hot Fudge Sundae

Strawberry Sundae

Mint Chocolate Chip Sundae

Mocha Almond Fudge Sundae $11.99

Mickey's Kitchen Sink, Photo Credit Corey Kivett

Most Decadently indulgent Ice-Cream

WDW, Ice Cream Martini – L’artisan des Glaces

2 Scoops of ice cream, with a shot of Grand Marnier, Whipped Cream Vodka or Rum

Or Beaches and Cream, Fudge Mud Slide - $8

A gooey, chewy Brownie covered with Hot Fudge, Three Scoops of Vanilla Ice Cream, Oreo Cookies, and Whipped Cream topped with Chocolate Syrup and a Cherry

Disneyland, Club 33, Cheddar cheese ice cream

As it came with a three course lunch, it worked out very expensive!

Or Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlour

Peppermint ice cream with crushed candy cane pieces in molten chocolate dipped waffle cone – seasonal

Peppermint Ice Cream

Most Refreshing Desert

WDW, Dole Whip again or if not the Citrus Swirl

Also need to mention School Bread as only $2.99 from Kringla Bakeri go Kafe, Norway, Epcot  - Sweet Cardamom Bun filled with Vanilla Crème Custard and topped with Glazed and Toasted Coconuts – simply beautiful.

Disneyland, Dole Whip float served with cherry and an umbrella

Or Gibson Girl Hand-Scooped Ice Cream, Dipped Waffle Cone 

Single or Double; choice of chocolate or chocolate with peanuts or sprinkles $5.19/$5.69 with rainbow sherbet flavour

Dole Whip at WD, Photo Credit WDW Website

Best non-dessert dessert!

WDW, Captain Cooks at The Polynesian, Tonga Toast

Banana-stuffed Sourdough Bread, Battered and Deep-fried, and dusted with Cinnamon Sugar - $5.19. Comes with sausage or bacon, not sure why, maybe a British thing mixing savoury with sweet for breakfast?!

Disneyland, Flos V8 Café, French toast brioche

Or Caramel French toast on the breakfast buffet at Grand Californian Hotel with lashings of buttery caramel sauce ladled on top

Or Café Orleans or Blue Bayou, Le Special de Monte Cristo Sandwich - Turkey, Ham, and Swiss Cheese battered and fried to golden brown, served with a Fruit Skewer $26.49 or the cheaper version at Café Orleans Monte Cristo Sandwich - sliced turkey, ham and Swiss cheese fried in a light batter and served with berry puree dusted with powdered sugar $18.99

Or Turkey leg – suggested by Jesse Stephenson and we won't make any further comment on that thank you very much!

Tonga Toast, Photo Credit WDW Website

Monte Cristo, Photo Credit WDW Website

We hope you have enjoyed reading these notes and if you want further details, please take the time to listen to our podcast either via iTunes (subscribe by clicking here).