287 From Down Under to The Disneyland Resort

Welcome to the show notes for the Disney Dream Girls Podcast, show number 287  for 24th November 2019.  If you want to listen, whilst reading these notes, just click the player below or alternatively find us on iTunes, Libsyn, Stitcher Radio or via any good podcast catching app.
This week, Michelle is joined by husband and wife podcasting duo -  Kat and Lewis from Dis Down Under. Together, they chat through the many wonders of visiting the Disneyland Resort during the Christmas period. 

Our first discussion point was the plus and negative sides of visiting a Christmas park in general during this time of year. We started considering the weather and, for many, Christmas is made more seasonal due to the chilly weather. Depending on the park being visited, snow can appear naturally although don't worry as Disney has thought of everything and a highlight for Michelle is the gingerbread scented 'snowfall' around the hub. 

Next point - crowds. The parks are incredibly busy at this time so being realistic with expectations is key along with utilisation of the Fastpass system. 

We are well-known for our foodie discussions so it is not surprising that the conversation moved on to the Festival of Holidays. On the show, we look at some of the highlights of items that Michelle should eat on her trip.

It was here Kat mentioned Michelle should try the Mac n Cheese from the Favourite Things booth. Alas, Michelle revealed she has yet to try a version of this cheesy pasta dish she likes - so guess what is going to have to be first on her list!

After that, the conversation moved on and Lewis then virtually munched his way through Merry Mashups Tamale offering and their Churro Yule Log. 

Michelle suggested that she tries cocktail - the Bourbon Cranberry Cocktail whilst Lewis went down the Churro Toffee Cold Brew with a side order of Gingerbread Cookies. 

It was agreed that there were so many food options that Michelle needed several trips to ensure that she hit up and ate everything! However, generally speaking they felt that this felt didn't feel as overwhelming as EPCOT's Food and Wine Festival because of the fewer kiosks.

Kat and Lewis then moved on to share details about how the Sip and Savor worked to ensure Michelle got the best value at this festival. 

Moving away from the food, Michelle then asked Kat and Lewis for some new attractions that have opened in the parks since her last trip in 2017. This then led to a discussion on whether Michelle should visit Galaxy's Edge when only one of the attractions is open or wait till her 2020 trip.

Well, that's just about it for this week, as usual, you can contact us via Email: info@disneydreamgirls.com Follow our posts on Twitter @DisDreamGirls and Instagram @disdreamgirls. Plus don't forget our Facebook page by searching Disney Dream Girls.

Finally, if you want additional content from the show why not consider joining our Patreon supporters. To find out more visit Disney Dream Girls Patreon Page. 

286 Disney Chatter

Welcome to the show notes for the Disney Dream Girls Podcast, show number 286  for 17th November 2019.  If you want to listen, whilst reading these notes, just click the player below or alternatively find us on iTunes, Libsyn, Stitcher Radio or via any good podcast catching app.
On this week's show, amongst other things, you will hear us chat about:

• Magic band slap bracelets
• A new dessert offering 
• Animal Kingdom puppets
• New Year's Eve in Walt Disney World

 

New Year's Eve

Jayne starts off, by talking about some things you could do out of the parks but to still remain inside the Walt Disney World bubble. Then, Michelle looks at some of the high-end offerings, which come with a range of fireworks views, characters and food options.  

Lower Cost Ideas 

Simplest approach would to be enjoy your resort hotel and all that it has to offer. Or perhaps a venture into Disney Springs might be an option; all the hustle and bustle of a New Years Eve but without the expense. Lots of counter service options available to celebrate the New Year festivities with.

Or perhaps this is the ideal time to take a Monorail tour of the Magic Kingdom resorts; a selection of lovely lounges and yummy counter service foods on offer and an opportunity to watch the evenings fireworks from a beach!

Park Packages

There is a range of options being offered by Disney and we have given brief details of them below.  

Toledo, Grand Destino Tower at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort

For $400 per person you will experience a rooftop extravaganza to dance the night away with flamenco guitar, indulge in cocktails, enjoy a traditional Spanish New Years feast with multiple food stations...Oh and Mickey & Minnie will be there too!

Mezzanotte at Topolino's, Disney's Riveria Resort

At the new Riveria Resort there is an elegant affair to attend. Enjoy European inspired buffets, food stations, tapas and more. This rooftop location will include a DJ, champagne toasts and views of the fireworks at both Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios. And the cost? $550 per person.

Elegant Evening Under The Stars, California Grill
Over at the Contemporary you can ring in the New Year with an elegant toast, marvelous entertainment and some of your favourite Disney characters, plus you will have a dazzling rooftop view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks. This will all come in at $675 per person!

Ink and Paint Club, The Contemporary
Still at the Contemporary this event takes a step back in time to pay tribute to the Ink and Paint department of Walt Disney Studios and the days when animated legends first graced the silver screen. The evening will include multiple food stations, a pianist and an appearance from Mickey & Minnie and comes in at $499 per person

Pixar Party
For a more family friendly event, also at the Contemporary, you will find some of your favourite Pixar friends. There will be a Cars-inspired DJ, kids activities, food stations all inspired by Pixar and you will finish the night off with a view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks. This comes in at a great price of $199 per person.

Where would you go? Any ideas that we haven't covered? Get in touch and let us know!

Well, that's just about it for this week, as usual, you can contact us via Email: info@disneydreamgirls.com Follow our posts on Twitter @DisDreamGirls and Instagram @disdreamgirls. Plus don't forget our Facebook page by searching Disney Dream Girls.

Finally, if you want additional content from the show why not consider joining our Patreon supporters. To find out more visit Disney Dream Girls Patreon Page. 

285 Disney News to Menus

Welcome to the show notes for the Disney Dream Girls Podcast, show number 285  for 10th November 2019.  If you want to listen, whilst reading these notes, just click the player below or alternatively find us on iTunes, Libsyn, Stitcher Radio or via any good podcast catching app.

Below are just some of the items we discuss in this week's show!

Regal Eagle Smokehouse

As the American Adventure is about to see the opening of its new fast-casual restaurant so we take a look at some of the offerings that will make up the new menu at this EPCOT eatery.

There will be a variety of sandwiches and platters as well as a plant-based option. Some notable mentions go to the Texas Beef Brisket Sandwich and the South Caroline Smoked Sausage Sandwich.

Other offerings include a Kansas City Smoked Chicken, a lighter option of a Power Greens Salad with Pulled Chicken as well as a plant-based burger topped with jackfruit and served on vegan garlic toast.

Plus, there are plenty of sides, desserts and a variety of beers and cider which will all go to making this a much-needed reimagining of the old Liberty Inn.

EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays

One tasty offering that is part of Epcot International Festival of the Holidays is the Festive Kitchens. We had a a wander through the menus and suggested what we would purchase for each other.

Michelle's Choices
American Holiday Table - Slow-Roasted Turkey with Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans and Cranberry Sauce.

Bavaria Holiday Kitchen - Black Forest Roulade with Cherry Whipped Cream.

Shanghai Holiday Kitchen - Firework: Jose Cuervo Tequila Gold, Vodka, Mango Syrup, Orange Juice, and Soda Water.

But a close runner-up would be from Le Marche de Noel Holiday Kitchen - Frozen Hot Chocolate Martini: Grey Goose Vanilla Vodka and Chocolate Milk.

Jayne's Choices
Tuscany Holiday Kitchen - Crespelle di Mele: Cinnamon Apple Fritters and a Vanilla Sauce Drizzle with Confectioners Sugar.

And an honorary mention goes to Panettone Mignon: Miniature Traditional Italian Christmas Fruitcake.

Yukon Holiday Kitchen - Seared Verlasso Salmon with Crown Maple Whisky Glaze, Parsnip Silk, Apple Chutney and Hazelnut Croquant.
 

Something both girls picked was the Maple Bûche de Noël: Maple Mousse rolled in Gingerbread Chiffon Cake with Cranberry Sauce and Pecan Crumble.

Sapphire Holiday Kitchen - Sfenj: Warm Beignets, Cream with Cinnamon Sugar, and Chocolate Sauce.

Cookie Trail

Whilst EPCOT is starting its cookie trail, we decided to put a twist on this by demanding a traditional biscuit for each of the EPCOT countries. So, as we are British, we offer our list of the best British biscuits. 

So here are a few from our list, you will have to listen in to see if your favourite made our list:

• Digestive - half coated with dark chocolate (of course)
• Jaffa Cakes - cake or biscuit?
• Custard Cream
• Ginger Nut

Well, that's just about it for this week, as usual, you can contact us via Email: info@disneydreamgirls.com Follow our posts on Twitter @DisDreamGirls and Instagram @disdreamgirls. Plus don't forget our Facebook page by searching Disney Dream Girls.

Finally, if you want additional content from the show why not consider joining our Patreon supporters. To find out more visit Disney Dream Girls Patreon Page. 

284 Four Parks in One Day

Welcome to the show notes for the Disney Dream Girls Podcast, show number 284  for 3rd November 2019.  If you want to listen, whilst reading these notes, just click the player below or alternatively find us on iTunes, Libsyn, Stitcher Radio or via any good podcast catching app.

On this week's podcast, Michelle chats with Tommy Allison to review some of the fun activities they did during their Walt Disney World trip in August. Four Parks in One Day For the challenge, we decided to set some rules. These were:

• One merchandise purchase per park
• Ride at least one attraction
• Meet Mickey and Minnie in each park
• Have our picture taken in front of the park's icon
• Try a food item - whether a snack, counter service or sit down meal.

We decided to start with Disney Animal Kingdom (DAK), purely because we wanted to end our night at EPCOT and we wanted a late lunch at Disney Hollywood Studios (DHS). So that left the Magic Kingdom and DAK and as DAK opened the earlier we opted to start there.

As we entered, we walked towards the Tree of Life and stopped for a picture before heading off to meet Mickey and Minne. We rode Everest then grabbed a snack from Kusafari Bakery and a coffee from Starbucks. It was here it was decided that the park purchases would be the Starbuck's espresso cups.  

Then, it was time to head on over to the Magic Kingdom to meet Mickey and Minnie! Utilising a breakfast ADR at the Wave, we were able to park at the Contemporary Resort and walk across to the Magic Kingdom.  

After a very magical meet with Mickey and Minnie, we rode the Seven Dwarves Mine Train but alas we were unable to ride Space Mountain as it was not operational. However, we rode the People Mover and got some great shots of the lit-up interior!  

We visited Starbucks for our second espresso cup and had the Peter Pan float (which was delicious). By this time, it was around 1.30pm and we had to make tracks to DHS.

  Upon arrival, we decided to head straight to meet Mickey and Minnie. Unfortunately they did not meet together here but the backdrops and outfits that they wore were amazing.
Our next stop was a late lunch at Sci Fi Diner. I had the buffalo chicken salad (wow it was spicy) and everyone else had burgers. It was nice to sit down and enjoy the movie reel and air conditioning!

Before we left, we dropped by the Tower of Terror and then Starbucks (purchased the third espresso cup) for the amazing carrot cake cookie. Its recipe did change a couple of years back and it is now cakeier but I love it and it can be easily shared between two. 

As the sun began to slink down in the sky, we knew it was time to leave and we were fortunate to grab an on the day Fastpass to meet the characters over at EPCOT. So off we went.

On arrival at EPCOT we had our picture taken by Space Ship Earth and then achieved our last meet and greet of the day. Again, Mickey and Minnie were not meeting together but due to the Fastpass, we had a minimal wait. 

We got our final Starbucks mug and grabbed a School Bread from Kringla Bakeri. We rode Living With The Land and waited out to view Illuminations.  

Our four parks in one day sounds exhausting but it wasn't. We plodded at our own speed and used a plan to ensure we met our aims. Have you tried a similar challenge? We would love to hear from you if you have.  

Well, that's just about it for this week, as usual, you can contact us via Email: info@disneydreamgirls.com Follow our posts on Twitter @DisDreamGirls and Instagram @disdreamgirls. Plus don't forget our Facebook page by searching Disney Dream Girls.

Finally, if you want additional content from the show why not consider joining our Patreon supporters. To find out more visit Disney Dream Girls Patreon Page.