Lost in Time: The Hidden Paradise of Rainbow Springs & The Withlacoochee

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Long before Walt Disney visited central Florida, and long before Disney Springs opened a couple of years ago, a tiny fishing town north of Orlando was one of the top Florida tourists attractions. The town, Dunnellon, Florida, is relatively unchanged since its heyday. The town of fewer than 2,000 residents is not filled with hipster stores or farm-to-table restaurants. There are no quaint bed & breakfast inns, but instead – very dated but functional 1950s fish camps and motels. What Dunnellon does have is two natural wonders that are superior to anything that man (including Disney) can make. I often wonder if Walt had visited this area if Walt Disney World might have been located about 90 miles northwest of Orlando. Perhaps it is better that it remains off-the-beaten path.

Rainbow springs

fla springsThere are many springs to enjoy in areas north of Orlando, but Rainbow Springs is a true paradise. With crystal clear water that goes down 250 feet, the springs are now a popular watering hold and part of the River Springs State Park. In the 1930s, the springs became one of Florida’s first theme parks (along with Silver Springs and Cypress Gardens), complete with a hotel and a zoo. Continue reading “Lost in Time: The Hidden Paradise of Rainbow Springs & The Withlacoochee” →

How to Choose Where to Eat on a Special Occasion At WDW Resorts – This Quiz Will Help

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Geyser Point
Hypnotizing scenery at rustic hipster hangout Geyser Point.

To me, nothing is more romantic than cooking a meal outdoors under the stars at Fort Wilderness with a glass of wine or four. But with Valentine’s Day coming up, we ponder what are the best choices for a romantic or special occasion. The answer is not going to be the same for everyone, as it depends on food preferences, budget desires, age and style. Continue reading “How to Choose Where to Eat on a Special Occasion At WDW Resorts – This Quiz Will Help” →

Original Fettucine Alfredo – Epcot’s L’ Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante – With the Secret Step

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fettucinealfredo!In spite of our habits that suggest otherwise, a romantic dinner has very little to do with going to a fancy restaurant. Rather it is the scenery itself and the care put into the preparation of the meal that melts the heart. For me, nothing is better than being in the candlelit woods under the stars with a plate of the original version of fresh-prepared Fettucine Alfredo.  Oh, and maybe a little salad. And yes, darling – I’ll have a glass as well.

What is amazing (particularly for camping) is that this dish requires only four ingredients – our soggy American versions actually detract from its elegance. But, these ingredients must be selected carefully.  We will get to that. Continue reading “Original Fettucine Alfredo – Epcot’s L’ Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante – With the Secret Step” →

Banana-Stuffed Tonga Toast Muffins

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disney tonga toast muffinsOf all the foods at Disney World, Tonga Toast is one of the most famous and the oldest (circa 1971).  However, it is also one of the more difficult ones to make at home because it is enormous and messy. So, I’ve played around with the original recipe and tweaked it to be able to fit in muffin pans – making it camping friendly. I worried a tiny bit about how it would turn out baking instead of deep frying. Well, the results were Continue reading “Banana-Stuffed Tonga Toast Muffins” →

Here’s the Skinny on the New Mickey Bars in the Stores: Very Cute Fake Food

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Mickey Mouse BarsI know some of us are very excited to see Nestle’s Mickey Mouse bars in the stores (for a limited time). But they are not the ones you get in the park. No matter what some bloggers (like Chip and Co. – one of my favorites) are saying, they just don’t taste the same – unless you are one of those who thinks margarine tastes like butter. Sure, they do have a purpose (read on), and they are very cute. But something is lost in the process of taking a wonderful food item and making it low in fat. Continue reading “Here’s the Skinny on the New Mickey Bars in the Stores: Very Cute Fake Food” →

Big Pet Blunders at Disney’s Fort Wilderness – 10 Things NOT to Do

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Disney Dog Mickey EarsPet lovers rejoiced when Disney relaxed their pet policies back in 2017. Now dogs and cats can stay at a handful of resorts as well as both the cabins and all loops in Fort Wilderness. With the increase in the four-legged population comes a few new issues and a whole lot of misinformation. A little knowledge and preparation can help you prevent horrifying embarrassment and potential disaster. Note that some of these 10 faux pas do apply a bit more to dogs than they do to cats.

Continue reading “Big Pet Blunders at Disney’s Fort Wilderness – 10 Things NOT to Do” →

fort wilderness tent

Take this Quiz to Find Your Best Fort Wilderness Loop

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This interactive quiz will help you determine which is the best site to request for your camping trip to Disney’s Fort Wilderness campground. Note that this includes all of the 21 camping loops, but not the cabin loops. It’s fast and fun, and your result will appear instantly after you’ve answered 14 questions.

Continue reading “Take this Quiz to Find Your Best Fort Wilderness Loop” →

Traditional Hawaiian Loco Moco (Disney’s Aulani)

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Aulani Loco Moco RecipeLoco Moco, a substantial feel-good dish originating from Hilo, Hawaii, has become one of the most common quick dishes served on the islands. The legend is that around 1949, some very hungry teenage boys, showed up in a restaurant in Hilo, and asked the chef to make them a meal that would fill their rumbly tumblies for days. Continue reading “Traditional Hawaiian Loco Moco (Disney’s Aulani)” →

A common site at Fort Wilderness

10 Best Disney & Fort Wilderness Escapes for Introverts

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One of the first times I ever had a random panic feeling in my life was in the Magic Kingdom. I was six months pregnant with my first child, and we were watching the afternoon parade. On the fourth of July. Suddenly, I felt as though I was in a very hellish-hot “people wall.” That’s when I told my mother I thought I might faint. She grabbed my hand and led me away. Past the Haunted Mansion. Past the Snow White ride. Past the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. And to the escalator and onto the People Mover.  Continue reading “10 Best Disney & Fort Wilderness Escapes for Introverts” →