Friday, April 28, 2017

Around the World With Ridge - Skipper Canteen

The kid is making a comeback.


Hello, Hola, Nin Hao, Bonjour, Ohayo, Ciao, Marhabaan, where have you all been? Well, if you were a reader way back when, I’ll tell you that life got in my way and I let it. Four years ago I stopped finding time to write when I took a new job. I didn’t stop spending my vacation time at Disney, I just stopped telling the world about it. If you will indulge me, I’d like to try and talk about Disney with you again.

I’m only six months behind on talking about my last lovely visit to Disney World. Back in October of 2016 I took a trip and tried the Jungle Skipper Canteen. The Canteen is nestled in Adventureland a stone’s vigorous throw away from the Jungle Cruise. It is a wonderful use of space and feels a little like it could have been hiding back there all along. As with any Disney restaurant there is so much detail your eyes could wonder for days.

My skipper was fantastic and I am ashamed to say I cannot remember her name but she played her part I did my best to play along with her. The part that owned me which is just a memory and no pictures were taken, she pulled a monkey puppet from outta nowhere and gave me a really fun hard time.
Skipper Canteen Lobby
Skipper Canteen Lobby
Skipper Conteen Lobby
The interior lobby has a good amount of seating while waiting for your Adventure to start. If you have the time to read about Alberta Falls you will see she was one heck of a businesswoman.
One of Alberta's Many Awards
As with everything the menu has some hidden items and is fun to explore. 







For lunch there was just so much awesome looking stuff to choose from. The menu had something for everyone. Everything is exotic yet familiar so don’t let the tiny crew members be afraid. I tried the Himbasha Bread with Honey dipping accoutrement…

Himbasha is a traditional Ethiopian bread for celebrations and I celebrated the fact it was free… Also in the picture because I am an adult and I wanted the souvenir mug is a Schweitzer Slush which is an apple and passion fruit slushy with green apple boba balls on top.


For an appetizer I tried the Sea Shu Mai, which is a shrimp and pork goyza aka dumpling and yes, it was wonderful.


  On to the entrĂ©e, I love lamb and they had lamb so I tried the lamb. I love the blend of spices here “Grilled Lamb Chops seasoned with North African Berber Spice Blends served with green lentil stew”.  If I had to have this every day for a month, I think I would be ok with that.

Also long as I got to have a “Kungaloosh!” with it. Some of you may remember the Adventurers Club but this isn’t that Kungaloosh, no salute required, this is a chocolate cake with caramelized bananas and cashew-caramel ice cream topped with coffee dust… yes coffee dust. Who knew that was a thing?


Now this was technically my birthday trip so I am not afraid to wear the Birthday Button so my Skipper gave me a second, happy birthday cake. It too was awesome. It was from the kid’s dessert but it said happy birthday!

Main Room

Alberta's Office

I sat near the office and you can hear the phone ring and people talking... Busniess has to be run. 


All and all I would give my experience two thumbs up and to support this family has an adventure scheduled already for our next trip down.



So if you endulged me today, thank you. I hope you enjoyed the pictures. Now for some extra news. I'm in the process of putting life in order and hopefully by the end of this year I'll be an Orlando resident. Wish me luck! Have a Magical Day! 

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Photo Flashback! Four Things I Love

This week's Wordless Wednesday theme is "4 Things."  Here's what came to mind.

Friends (Finally!)

Firsts (Favorites)

Fun (Fairytales, Fantasyland)

Family (and Food and Festivals!)

Focused on the Magic

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Photo Flashback! Magic Kingdom at Night

I love the Magic Kingdom at Night.  As wonderful as it is during the daytime, it is extra special at night.  In February 2016 we were at the Magic Kingdom for the 25th Anniversary party for Disney Vacation Club members where the Magic Kingdom was open from 9 to midnight just for DVC Members.

Magic Kingdom at Night
The Hall of Presidents

Magic Kingdom at Night
The River Boat at night

Magic Kingdom at Night
During the 25th Anniversary Party there were only about 10000 DVC Members allowed in.

Magic Kingdom at Night
I love Cinderella Castle at night

Magic Kingdom at Night
DisneyMom

Magic Kingdom at Night
Disney Vacation Club 25 and Beyond
Let us know if you love the Magic Kingdom at night.

The Disney Vacation Club celebrated 25 years in 2016.  We have been members since 1993.  February 2016 was the first party for DVC Members to celebrate the 25th Anniversary. Free tickets were given to 10000 DVC Members for an after hours party in the Magic Kingdom.

--DisneyDad

Focused on the Magic

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Photo Flashback! Until We Meet Again...

Two weeks ago, we said goodbye to my father-in-law, Jim. 

Jim is missed by many. He loved to laugh and was equal parts ornery and generous. I am thankful for the time I was able to spend with him and desperately wish my husband and children had more years with their father and grandpa.  The girls decided Grandpa's favorite things were John Deere, Pepsi and the WSU Shockers.

Jim went to Walt Disney World four times and I was a part of the last two. He read 1 Corinthians 13 to start our Disney wedding and asked "who gives this woman?" A couple years later, we took a trip with both sets of parents and managed to get everyone to ride Everest...once.  Jim didn't know quite what to make of character meals but was a good sport. 

Jim, until I see you again in Heaven someday, I promise to take good care of the family you left behind. Thank you for raising Andy to be smart, funny, loyal and a hard-worker. The apple didn't fall far from the tree. 
Focused on the Magic

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Photo Flashback: Valentines Day +1

To my Valentine.
I've shared these pictures before in different posts.

Honeymoon 1973
At our Daughter, Amy's, Disney Wedding.
This was taken at the Grand Floridian in 2005.
Riding the TTA/ People Mover
My Valentine đŸ’˜
Since Valentine's Day was yesterday, I thought I'd share a few pictures of My Valentine.
--DisneyDad


Focused on the Magic

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Photo Flashback: Love This!

My husband, Andy, and I celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary at Aulani last year.  It was an wonderful trip.  This week's blog hop theme at Focused on the Magic is "Love this!"and I knew I needed to share some photos from Aulani.

This was from our lunch at 'AMA'AMA on our first full day on the island.  I'll share the rest of the meal later but today I wanted to show you the amazing view from our table, my honey, and one of the best desserts I have ever had.

The lagoon over my cup of fruit-infused water.  We were in no hurry to give up this view.  And as best we could tell, they weren't in a hurry for us to leave.  

So happy I married this guy!

We ordered Mocha Chantilly Cake.  And you should too.

The Happy Anniversary mousse was a lovely and very delicious surprise.  

This, my dears, was a dessert that still makes my mouth water 10 months later.  The menu says "Coffee Kanten, Coffee Anglaise, Macadamia Nut Nougatine and Chocolate Gelato." None of those words really describes just how incredible this tastes.


Check out the other "Love this!" posts through Deb's hop at Focused on the Magic.  We are so happy to welcome her back to Disney blogging!
Focused on the Magic