Disney Dream Girls Show 126 - Questions Answered and a Trip to The Boathouse

Welcome to the show notes for the Disney Dream Girls Podcast, show number 126 for Sunday 25th September 2016. As always, if you wish to listen now, whilst looking at these pictures, click on the player below.

 
On the podcast, we answer two listeners questions. The first being a request for the perfect gift from Walt Disney World and the second was a select restaurants to dine in at Disneyland Paris. To hear our answers, listen to the show.
 
Then we moved on to review the Boathouse Restaurant, which opened in Disney Springs earlier this year. Firstly, the scenery was reminiscent of an actual boathouse. Very light and airy, despite all of the wooden trim and the boating artefacts. From checking in to wait staff everyone I saw dealt with me courteously - making me feel very welcome.

Gin and strawberry based drink

As we had arrived at the table early, I ordered a drink from the bar. It was very refreshing and quite strong too. Just the ticket on a warm late August afternoon in Florida. 

Appetiser number 1

Appetiser number 2

 

My Main from Maine

Finale - our dessert

The starters we had were Florida style smokehouse fish dip with white corn tortilla chips and also hoisin chilli calamari. The dip was very light and the chips weren't greasy. It worked really well with the slight kick of the calamari. The two started amply served the four of us.
My main was the 1 1/4lb split baked crab filled lobster served with asparagus and Creole butter sauce. The lobster was cooked perfectly and melted in my mouth. However, as in the case of all lobster, extraction of the lobster from the shell was tricky but the claws had been pre-cracked to make matters easier. We ended our meal with the smores baked alaska. Each and every item was flavoursome and in my opinion good value for the quality and quantity of food served.  I must add... the baked alaska was huge and made a ceremonial entry to our table. Our waiter prepared our servings table side and I swear I heard intakes of breath due to its huge size! 

Shotski Time

Our evening ended with the management organising a shotski to be drunk on the jetty - a perfect and a fun ending to the evening. Each glass with filled with blueberry vodka and was good fun - if not a challenge due to my friend Stephen being over a foot taller than me!

View from the jetty

The show ended with a massive birthday shout out to the wonderful Tom Ameen and I shared his rendition of Firework by Katy Perry.

We will be back next week with some more Disney fun, but until then, keep upto date with us by ensuring you follow all of our social media sites:
 
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Disney Dream Girls 106 - Haunted Mansion and What Flavour Would Star Wars Be?

Welcome to the show notes for the Disney Dream Girls podcast, show 106 for Sunday 8th May 2016.

We start the show by answering a listeners question, what doe we consider to be the best value Disney snack, meal and sounvenir. Obviously, this is something that is open to your perspective. I know I have paid $$$ for a meal at Club 33, was it good value no but was it memorable - yes! Why not get in touch and let us know what you think is good value at your favourite Disney park.

Plaza Inn (DLR) - Photo Credit Disneyland Website

Next, we welcome our guest, host of the Creepy Kingdom Podcast, James H Carter II. Somehow, we got off topic and distracted by the talk of the new ice cream parlour - Ample Hills Creamery. We pose the question, if Star Wars was a flavour, what would it taste like? Well, over on our Facebook page we have a competition for our listeners... design your own Star Wars themed sundae! So why not visit our Disney Dream Girls Facebook page to enter.

Photo Credit - Ample Hills Creamery

Finally, we got to talk about the Haunted Mansion. After that, James discusses his new project, Foolish Mortals, which is a documentary he is looking to create about the Haunted Mansion. To find out more, visit Foolish Mortals: A Haunted Mansion Documentary.

Haunted Mansion (WDW) - Photo Credit Disney World Website

We hope you have enjoyed this edition of the Disney Dream Girls Podcast and we will be back next week with some more Disney theme park fun.  

Don't forget to tweet us as you listen @DisDreamGirls, you can also contact us via our Facebook page by searching for Disney Dream Girls. 

Ways to contact the show:

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Twitter @disdreamgirls 
Support the show financially by clicking on Patreon Page for Disney Dream Girls 

Disney Dream Girls 105 - Making a Splash with an Imagineer

Welcome to the show notes for the Disney Dream Girls Podcast, show 105 for Sunday 1st May 2016.

 
Coming up in todays show, we are joined by former Disney Imagineer - Terri Hardin. Terri shares another set of tales from her days in imagineering but also she answers some of our listeners questions.

Firstly, Terri tells about the time when she was involved in a stage version of the Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Tiffany Theatre. I include this because on 30th April 2016, Jayne and I should have been seeing this show together... however, I will be having knee surgery and Jayne will end up enjoying the show with her husband Simon. 

Terri Hardin and Michelle having fun (photo credit M Young)

Then we move on to talk about Splash Mountain. Terri explains what parts of the Walt Disney World attraction and Tokyo Disneyland version she worked on as well as sharing some interesting behind the scenes stories.

Splash Mountain, Magic Kingdom, WDW  (photo credit Disneyworld website)

Splash Mountain, Tokyo Disneyland (photo credit Tokyo Disneyland Resort website)

Then, Terri answers some listeners questions. Interestingly, she shares details on the animator Hayao Miyazaki.

We hope you have enjoyed this edition of the Disney Dream Girls Podcast and we will be back next week with some more Disney theme park fun.  

Don't forget to tweet us as you listen @DisDreamGirls, you can also contact us via our Facebook page by searching for Disney Dream Girls.

Ways to contact the show:
Email us info@disneydreamgirls.com
Tweet us @DisDreamGirls
Find our Disney Dream Girls Facebook Page  

Support us financially to make the show bigger and better by clicking on Patreon Page for Disney Dream Girls

Disney Dream Girls 103 - Tales from Disney Imagineer Terri Hardin

Welcome to the show notes for the Disney Dream Girls Podcast, show 103 for Sunday 17th April 2016. On todays show, Michelle and Jayne answer some listener questions and then they welcome former Disney imagineer - Terri Hardin - to the show.

Terri talks about her experience working with Michael Jackson on Caption EO. She shares some personal stories and on set stories about this former Disney theme park attraction. 

Terri Hardin wirh Michael Jackson

The attraction in the Disney theme park, photo credit Disney website

Hope you enjoyed today's show. Don't forget to tweet us as you listen @DisDreamGirls, you can also contact us via our Facebook page by searching for Disney Dream Girls.

Ways to contact the show:
Email us info@disneydreamgirls.com
Tweet us @DisDreamGirls
Find our Disney Dream Girls Facebook Page  

Support us financially to make the show bigger and better by clicking on Patreon Page for Disney Dream Girls

Disney Dream Girls 087 - Last day of Minxmas

Welcome to the show notes for the Disney Dream Girls podcast, episode 087, which is the last of twelve special advent countdown podcasts. Today's show is brought to you by Michelle and Jayne.

 
Minxmas is a daily advent podcast and each day a different podcasting team have contributed a show for us to share in way of a daily Disney delight. This will run right up to Christmas. 
 
Even better, we have a fabulous competition - the prize is going to be something you will want to win but I wont announce it till 1st January. To take part, listen carefully to every Minxmas because at the end of the shows we have included a small snippet of a Christmas song. Write down the title, when you have listened to all of Minxmas 2015, email your list of songs to info@disneydreamgirls.com and we will pick a winner. Closing date will be the 4th January 2016. 

Ways to contact the show:

Email us info@disneydreamgirls.com
Tweet us @DisDreamGirls
Find our Disney Dream Girls Facebook Page  

Support us by clicking on Patreon Page for Disney Dream Girls 

Disney Dream Girls 075 - News and Mouse Mingling

Welcome to the Disney Dream Girls podcast, show notes for episode 075.

In today's show we discuss the changes that have happened to the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros attraction, inside the Mexico Pavillion, the new afternoon tea offering at Steakhouse 55 in Disneyland and finally we have a chat with guest Dave Tavres (founder of MouseMingle.com).

Afternoon Tea Starting Soon at Steakhouse 55 Photo Credit Disneyland Website

 As you all know, we love a bit of food chat here at DDG so we couldn't resist sharing the exciting news of the new afternoon tea that will be available over in Disneyland. It starts on 22nd January 2016 - will you be making an ADR?

Next, Mouse Mingle. When we received the press announcement for this Disney fan dating site, we both thought it was a great idea and decided instantly we had to interview its creator, Dave Tavres. However, what neither us or Dave anticipated was the massive amount of media attention this launch would receive! 

Fabulous news for Dave and we wish him well with his venture. The interview discusses his career at Disneyland (he has been a tour guide and worked on the railway!) as well as the initial idea and launch of the site. We hope you enjoy finding out more about it and if you do join the site and find love - let us know!

Photo Credit MouseMingle.com

Minxmas starts on 14th December 2015 and we have a daily Disney delight each and every day up to Christmas. Even better, we have a fabulous competition - the prize is going to be something you will want to win but I wont announce it till 1st January. To take part, listen carefully to every Minxmas because at the end of the shows we have included a small snippet of a Christmas song. Write down the title, when you have listened to all of Minxmas 2015, email your list of songs to info@disneydreamgirls.com and we will pick a winner. Closing date will be the 4th January 2016.

Ways to contact the show:

Email us info@disneydreamgirls.com
Tweet us @DisDreamGirls
Find our Disney Dream Girls Facebook Page 

Support us by clicking on Patreon Page for Disney Dream Girls 

 

Disney Dream Girls 074 - Home and Away with the Dream Girls

Welcome to the Disney Dream Girls podcast, show notes for episode 074

Firstly, can we begin by saying our Patreon page is now live! If you would like to contribute to the show, you can support us, by visiting Disney Dream Girls Patreon Page

Now on to the show notes. We start by discussing some of our coping strategies to bring Disney magic in to our homes at Christmas. When there isn't any prospect of a Disney park fix, how do you manage? We share some of the ways we make our lives have a lot more Disney! On the show we discuss:

·      Disney tree

·      Ornament exchanges

·      Disney stockings

·      Disney movies

·      Disney Christmas music

·      Disney Christmas apparel

·      Disney Christmas cards

·      Disney baked goods

·      Disney gifts buying or receiving

·      Social media stalking of friends in the parks

Did we miss any? Let us know what you do.

Photo Credit - Disney Parks Blog

Then we move on to talking about Disneyland at Christmas. Whilst we do not review everything (seriously it would be a three hour show!). We cover some main points and hope, if you are going it will assist in your planning and if you are not going, will help with the homesickness pangs! From the wonderful parade (21st years old this year, so we discuss that!) to the attractions and of course the food!

                                its A Small World - Photo Credit Disneyland Website

                                  Bundt Cake Above and Peppermint Beignets Below
                                              Photo Credit Disney Parks Blog

 

 

 

The podcast will be back on 13th December 2015. In the meantime, you can always:

Email us info@disneydreamgirls.com
Tweet us @DisDreamGirls
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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 50 - Snacks, Poop and Subs!

Welcome to the show notes that accompany show 50 of the Disney Dream Girls Podcast and what a busy show we have for you!

The first half of the show is dedicated to all things submarine themed, as we take a look back in history to where the submarine based attractions came from. This involves looking at Pacific Ocean Park in Santa Monica and then on to the Submarine Voyage, which debuted in Disneyland on 14th June 1959.

From this, to the Walt Disney World attraction 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage and then the re-imagining of the attraction in Disneyland, following a 7 year closure to be themed around Finding Nemo.

Photo Credit Disney Parks Blog

(On the podcast this feature is 21:20 seconds onwards)
Following on from this... we talk snacks we want to try and what a varied selection we have for you! Zuri's Sweet Shop has opened in Disney's Animal Kingdom and with it there is a plethora of goodies tempting you to try or chuckle over.

Photo credit Disney Parks Blog

Photo credit Disney Parks Blog

Photo credit Disney Parks Blog

Photo credit Disney Parks Blog

Now... lets talk about animal poop! Ok, lets not I hear you call. Alas, this is one of the new temptations that you can try. When this store opened, twitter exploded about it. What are your thoughts? Would you? Could you? Have you?

Photo Credit Disney Food Blog

If you want to read a fabulous write up about these goodies, why not visit Disney Food Blog to find out more!

Photo Credit Josh from @Easy WDW

We also talk about the cupcake at Animal Kingdom, and I am sure you will agree that the icing is quite green!

However, not wanting to be outdone, Disneyland have their own signature brand of truffles as well as a range of cake pops, rice krispy treats and candy apples. Personally, I think these look dazzling!

Photo credit Disney Parks Blog

We hope you have enjoyed reading our show notes and that you will take the time to listen to our podcast either via iTunes (subscribe by clicking here). Alternatively, we are on Stitcher Radio, Libsyn host our show and you can listen direct by clicking Disney Dream Girls Show 50).

Show 48 - Disneyland in a day

Can you really do a successful one day visit to Disneyland? As a Disney fan, surely all time in a Disney park can be said to be a success, however, join me, as I share some pictures and memories of my one day trip to Disneyland.

Firstly, I hear you ask, you live in the UK, why was this just a one day trip? Well, I flew to Northern California to spend time with friends and I couldn't imagine a trip to California without visiting Disneyland, so I asked one of my friends, Jesse Stephenson (author of the blog Quest For Vault Disney), whether he could be persuaded to spend a day and a half in Anaheim. Luckily, as an avid Disney fan, he said yes and we made plans. We had a simple remit of go and see the parade, fireworks and stand in awe of the 60th bling that Disney had installed (ok we did also want to see the Hatbox Ghost and the upgraded Abominable Snowman aka 'Harold' in the Matterhorn Bobsleds too). Now to the downside, to enable us to get to Disneyland as early as possible, we had to get a 5.30am flight but thankfully, this went to plan and indeed we were at City Hall for just after 9am.

First port of call, for me is always the Mickey floral and I wasn't disappointed. The train station behind was bedecked in drapery and even the lampposts had been spruced up and adorned with the diamond logo and 60th celebration colours of blues and white.

Once on Main Street, I felt overwhelmed and the sparkles of the castle called me closer and closer, as if she was calling my name to hurry to photograph her beauty. Wow! From the roof down, it sparkled and it just looked simply magical. Bear in mind the last castle I had seen was in Disneyland Paris (and boy that is a stunning castle), I was not disappointed by the enhancements that had been made.

As we were in the hub, a decision had to be made on the attractions we wanted to ride. By this time it was 9.45am and we knew Fantasyland queues would be growing longer (the park was busy!). Therefore, we took the decision to go to Tomorrowland first and grab a Space Mountain fast pass and then queue for the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage. I had only ridden this once before and was thrilled with the short line. Additionally, I got some great audio that I will be sharing in an upcoming podcast. From Nemo, we had a twenty minute wait for Star Tours. I loved it. Again, my last experience was Paris and as that was an older incarnation, this re-visit was most welcome. I know, you will all be yelling "You don't do Star Wars, Michelle!" I know. I'm sorry. But I do enjoy the attraction. Prior to handing over our Fastpasses for Space Mountain, we had some Astro Blasting fun with Buzz. I never ever get higher than level 2 so I guess I'm a poor shot! Jesse took great delight with his victory... however the scores show a different story!

By this time, I had been awake nine hours and I needed food! What better than a hop, skip and a jump to Jolly Holiday Bakery. I was ravenous and I eagerly began eyeing up the beef sandwich but then I read the salad menus and was intrigued by the mash up of grilled chicken, strawberry and goat cheese spinach salad. I'm glad I stepped out of my comfort zone; as it was delicious. The strawberry balsamic dressing was sublime and the picked red onions and candied pecans really made it a filling lunch. Of course, there is no trip to Jolly Holiday without dessert and the Mickey-shaped raspberry French Macaron did not fail me. This is a stunning dessert, so much so, when I offered a slither Jesse he uttered WOW and was amazed how tasty it was. He then took my plate and proceeded to clear it of crumbs! (sorry Jesse but just had to share that!)

With full tummies, we grabbed fast passes for Indiana Jones, which luckily were due just before our dinner reservation, and then sped to the Mansion. Whilst we weren't fortunate enough for a ride slowing or stoppage in front of Hattie himself, it was at a pleasing enough speed to take in the full effect and marvel at those clever imagineers for enabling him to reappear. Post Hattie, it was off for Swashbuckling fun on Pirates. Whilst in line, the couple in front turned round and introduced themselves - they were only podcast listeners! Oh my... apart from organised meets this had never happened to me before, so it was a fun first! Final stop in New Orleans Square, and was the most dangerous attraction of the day... the Pandora charm shop and I'm afraid my purse got badly damaged!

Following my financial exertions, we went to Fantasyland and went to say hi to Harold, the infamous abominable snowman. Now, I have ridden the Matterhorn twice and both times found it too brutal and rickety on my back but I had to ride it to report back the changes... The suffering I go through for my listeners! Anyway, single rider line was going down quickly and within ten minutes, I was ushered to a front sled seat. Oh my word! What a smooth ride and I loved the new effect. I actually enjoyed it! So from now on, I will always ride the front seat. At this point, I met my good friend and fellow podcaster Thomas Allison (he hosts a fabulous podcast about cruises) and we just had to ride its a Small World. With Jesse and I whizzing then to Big Thunder and Indy, we left Tommy to shop for some 60th merchandise and then met up with him later for our evening meal.

Our evening meal was at Carnation Cafe. I have never had a bad meal here and today was no different. Now, those of you who listen closely to the show, will know my aversion to Disneyland pickles (well most green food!). However, I had heard such amazing things about them from Ashley Kennedy-Turner I had to try the appetiser; which sees them coated in a covering of Panco and parmesan breadcrumbs. Yum yum! They were delicious so I urge you all to give them a try! My entree was the Main Street Cheeseburger and whilst it was tasty, I had had better.

 

By this time, time had ticked to 6pm and Main Street was pretty crowded already with blankets and towels. No this wasn't a protest or an organised nap but prepared Disneylanders sitting out waiting for the first parade to pass through, in around three hours time! Already, the curb spaces had gone so we decided, as this was a major reason for the trip, that we had best go and grab a spot and prepare for a long wait. However, it wasn't too bad as we got a pre-parade of podcasting friends as Paul Barrie (from Window to the Magic), with his friend Wendy Cooper, and Richard and Sarah Woloski (from Skywalking Through Neverland) popped by to say hi (as you do!)

I appreciate many of you will not have seen the parade and fireworks, therefore I have decided not to spoil it for you. And all I will say is that it was well worth the wait and I recommend you plan in at least two nights to view the fireworks from different locations.

Post parade and firework fun, we wandered straight on to Mansion and then made the grave error of going to Splash Mountain. Yes, it is a firm favourite. However, post ride I couldn't have gotten wetter if I had swam my way around rather than sitting front row in my log. Anyways, I'll never learn! In the distance, we then heard a familiar strand of music... Fantasmic was starting. Well it would be rude not to try find somewhere to stand. Luckily, as most park guests were waiting for the second showing of the parade we were able to grab a hot cocoa and enjoy the show from a fairly good walk up location. By this time however, my sugar levels were dropping, my clothes were dripping and my eyes were drooping so we made a slow meander down Main Street to head back to the hotel. However, as always, we popped in by the Fire House and said our thanks to Walt before heading for the exit.

Can you do Disneyland in a day? Yes... well nearly all of it anyways. I am so thankful for my fourteen hours of Disney fun and I think I managed to cram quite a lot in the day. However, I believe that every now and again doing a one day trip is fun however, for my next trip (a whopping sixteen days) the pace will be much much slower!

For an audio version, where Jayne and I chat through the day, please listen to our podcast via iTunes by clicking this link - iTunes podcast player.

All photographs and content can not be reproduced without the explicit permission of Disney Dream Girls.