Welcome mis amigos
To friendly Mexico To the land of fiestas
they’re everywhere you go (Lyrics from El Rio del Tiempo boat ride, Epcot)
Set in a replica of a pre-Columbian pyramid, Epcot’s San Angel Inn lures guests into the most romantic restaurant in all of Disney World. It begins with a table under faux starry skies on a cliffside patio that overlooks the river. Here, guests enjoy both a perpetual night (it’s always evening) and authentic Mexican cuisine. In spite of offerings that now rival some of the best in Mexico, this restaurant is still more about the fiesta. Yet, among the great standouts is the Queso Fundido, a filling cheese and chorizo appetizer that has become increasingly popular in America over the past decade. Continue reading “San Angel’s Queso Fundido and Mexico’s Language of Love”→
First of all, why is the newly-announced Epic Universal Park such a big deal? So, the fact that the name sounds a lot like Epcot is interesting, and reveals the subtle interconnections between these giant competitors. But the real big deal is that this is the first new theme park by either Disney World in Orlando in 20 years. That’s a very long time as compared to past decades, when there were only 1-11 years between major openings. Continue reading “Epic vs. Epcot: How Universal’s New Theme Park Could Change Walt Disney World”→
We were on Loop 2000 taking site photos for this blog when we were stopped by a young Jedi toddler. He ran right in front of our golf cart, pointed his saber at my husband, and warned us to “Freeze.” We briefly obliged, but he absolutely refused to move, and took on the demeanor of the troll in The Three Billy Goats Gruff. After about four minutes, one of his 14 sisters or young cousins came to the road to explain to him that the saber didn’t work on anyone everyone. Just a few feet away, his parents and aunts/uncles sat under their canopies watching football and hammering away at a case or two. This, my friends, is how Fort Wilderness is supposed to look, right? Continue reading “Horror on Bay Lake: Why Childless Millennials are Flocking to Fort Wilderness”→
With all of the expansion of Walt Disney World, it is still the original Magic Kingdom areas that make the resort so unique. Now, I have nothing against Drinking Around the World in Epcot, except that is physically impossible for most of us over 25. Drinking Around the Monorail presents many advantages. Not only is it more achievable (and responsible), but I honestly find it more enjoyable. It also doesn’t bear the cost to get into a park, which is a kind of big deal if everyone is not an annual passholder. Continue reading “Drinking Around the Monorail and Midnight at the Fort”→
No wonder this is one of the most beloved desserts in all of Disney World. There’s enough butter in here to put you in a coma! When you first take a look at the ingredients, all you think of is Paula Deen. Well, that’s because the recipe that is frequently cited on the internet is exactly the same base as her Ooey Gooey bars. Now, the two sticks of butter are spot on. But the amount of confectioner’s sugar is just too much with the addition of chocolate chips and crushed Heath bars. What you end up with is a Ooey Goofy Mess. I have tested, reviewed original St. Louis 1930s Ooey Butter Cake (it’s so hip again), and made some minor changes to Disney copycat recipes that frequent the internet. The result is one far closer to what is served at one of our favorite original Magic Kingdom restaurants – The Liberty Tree Tavern. Continue reading “Perfect Old-Fashioned Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake Recipe – WDW’s Liberty Tree Tavern”→
One of two cars from Walt’s original backyard train on display at Wilderness Lodge.
In the most beautiful resort in all of Disney World is a hidden treasure most WDW visitors don’t know about. Try asking a Wilderness Lodge bellhop where the train room is – I did, and he had never heard of it. Yet, nestled in a corner of the Wilderness Lodge DVC building is a heavenly space called The Carolwood Pacific Railway Room. In addition to seeing one or two people sitting in complete peace, you will find a rare collection of trains that belonged to Walt himself, along with related memorabilia and displays. Continue reading “Don’t Miss that Train! – Find the Hidden Carolwood Room in Disney’s Wilderness Lodge”→
Of the thousands of people you’ll find at Fort Wilderness every day, many of them are not actually spending the night there under the stars. Some have arrived by boat from the Contemporary Resort – for breakfast at Trail’s End or to visit the horse barn. Others make their way to the Fort via bus, Minnie Van, or personal transportation. They are there to see the Hoop Dee Doo dinner show (which just celebrated 45 years), take a trail ride or a bike ride, shop for a Fort Wilderness pin in the Settlement Trading Post, or just explore. Afterwards, they head on back to another Disney resort, their Florida homes, or off-property hotels. Continue reading “Delightful Day Tripping at Disney’s Fort Wilderness (Because You Can)”→
This salad has been a go-to for All-American celebrations (think Mickey’s Backyard Barbecue) for many years. There’s little, if anything, that has changed from this favorite since the campy Hoop-Dee-Doo dinner show opened 45 years ago. Yesterday, for our July 4th party, Baby Back Ribs and Clementine’s Prizewinning Potato Salad took center stage, but our good friends and neighbors devoured this traditional salad (iceberg lettuce) with its tangy and complex vinaigrette. Of course, its presentation in a heavy tin bucket at Pioneer Hall adds the frontier touch,and makes it suddenly appealing to kids. For our shindig, I picked up a cheap tin ice bucket at Walmart.
Hoop Dee Doo Meal at Pioneer Hall- Courtesy Disney
The Orlando Sentinel published the Disney-provided Pioneer Hall recipe as a response to a reader request back in 1978. “The salad was the best we’ve ever had anywhere,” the reader noted. Nearly a decade later the recipe reappeared (with some small modifications in the amounts of ingredients) in the first Disney cookbook, Cooking with Mickey Around the World (1987). As you recall, back in the 80s, a spinach salad with bacon dressing was about as exotic as we got. It wasn’t until the 90s when we saw the spread of arugula, spring mix, candied pecans, and more inventive creations.
As far the cookbook itself, very little of the food items are still served at Disney today. In addition to the Pioneer Hall Salad Dressing, some other favorites that remain at WDW include the Philadelphia Pepper Pot Soup (Liberty Tree Taven), Cinnamon Rolls, Fettucine Alfredo (Italy Showcase), Queso Fundido (San Angel Inn), Scotch Eggs (Rose & Crown Pub), Fish ‘N Chips (Rose & Crown Pub), and Strawberry Shortcake (Pioneer Hall). Most of the restaurants in the cookbook, such as Top of the World, South Seas Dining Room, and The Empress Lily, are long gone.
The Hoop Dee Doo Salad gave our classic BBQ cookout the requisite greenery.
When you crave the good-old-standard salad, it doesn’t get much better than this. I suppose the closest commercial equivalent might be the beloved Olive Garden salad, but this dressing stands superior. As with any Disney recipe, some measurements look like of strange when they have been reduced from a mass quantity. For example, the dressing recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of chopped red pepper. Seriously? So, I’ve provided the original recipe, but indicated how I made reasonable modifications. Note that the recipes do not include cheese, but it has been served on this salad for some time. This stores well in the refrigerator, so you can make it a few days before your camping trip or outdoor soiree. I would leave the addition of the chopped boiled egg until the day of serving.
Even though I am introverted, I am obsessed with people watching at Fort Wilderness. This means that I like to be in the center of the action, preferably on the part of Loop 100 where I can actually see the hundreds of all kinds of different people who walk by each day. But some of you don’t like being packed in so close to your friendly neighbor. And others don’t want to hear the boat noise, fireworks, and squeals of other people’s children. Or perhaps your bunch is a little bigger or rowdier than some and you don’t want to intrude on the peaceful relaxation of others. Well, I have some sites for you. Continue reading “Backwoods of Fort Wilderness: Here are 9 of the Most Secluded Campsites of WDW”→
I really used to dread getting older, having to color my hair, and knowing that I likely had more years behind me than in front of me. In all honesty, I never dreamed I would mellow out in the ways that I have, or enjoy reading a book in the Fort Wilderness campground instead of going to the WDW parks. But my best times aren’t behind me – oddly, I enjoy my travels more than I ever did before. And like everything else at Disney World, that feeling is even more pronounced during my visits there. Continue reading “Why Being Over 45 in WDW and Fort Wilderness is More Splendid than You Ever Imagined”→
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Welcome mis amigos
