Magical Blogorail Red: A Few of My Favorite Things

Welcome to those of you joining me from A World View and those of you just hopping aboard. I am the 2nd stop on our Magical Blogorail.

A few of my favorite (Disney) things...

Favorite Resort: Old Key West

Favorite Park: Epcot

Favorite Time of Year to Visit: Fall

Favorite Disney Wedding: Mine

Favorite Disney Honeymoon: My Mom and Dad

Favorite Place to Announce Grandbaby #1: IllumiNations

Favorite Place to Announce Grandbaby#2: Olivia's at Old Key West

Favorite Restaurant (Theming): Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater

Favorite Restaurant (Food): Victoria and Albert's Chef's Table

Favorite Live Show: Festival of the Lion King

Favorite Thrill Ride: Space Mountain

Favorite Dark Ride: Pirates of the Caribbean

Favorite Background Music: Epcot Entrance Plaza

Favorite Attraction Music: Soarin'

Favorite Show/Movie/Theater-type Attraction: American Adventure

Favorite Hidden Mickey: the ear hat on the Viking in the Maelstrom loading area
(Thanks to Mike at My Dreams of Disney for sharing this photo! Check him out on the next Blogorail stop.)

Favorite Food with a Cult Following: Dole Whip

Favorite Afternoon Break: tea at Garden View Tea Room

Favorite Random Smell: lobby at the Polynesian

Favorite Pre-Show: MuppetVision 3D

Favorite Christmas Special Event: Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights

Favorite Nighttime Show: Wishes

Favorite Boat: MK to Poly/Grand

Favorite Place to Jog: Port Orleans Riverside

Favorite Live Entertainment: Off Kilter

Favorite Place for Baked Goods: Writer's Stop

Thank you for joining me today. Your next stop on the Magical Blogorail Loop is My Dreams of Disney.

Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail should you happen to have to make a stop along the way and want to reboard:

1st Stop ~ A World View

2nd Stop ~Growing Up Disney

3rd Stop ~ My Dreams Of Disney

4th Stop ~ Disney Donna Kay

Final Stop ~ Colorado Mountain Mom

Bringing the Magic Home: Carrot Cake Cookies (RECIPE)

I love carrot cake cookies from Writer's Stop at Disney's Hollywood Studios.  The Growing Up Disney family first discovered them a few years back and they have been a "must do" for us ever since.  We even hosted a meet at Writer's Stop and had a great time sharing cookies and conversation.  If you haven't tried one yet, this confection consists of yummy cream cheese icing sandwiched between two huge carrot cake cookies.  Definitely a treat to share with a couple of friends or tuck in your bag to finish later.

I have a great recipe for cheesecake cookies that I have shared here before.  It makes delicious cookies, is really easy and is simple to vary since it it is based on a cake mix.  One day I had the idea to try to recreate Writer's Stop carrot cake cookies at home using this recipe.  Truth be told, I was also annoyed with myself that I hadn't thought of it before.

I picked up a Duncan Hines cake mix and icing.  Yes, you could make the icing yourself but I wanted to keep this quick and simple.  You know, the kind of thing you could make on a Friday night when you wish you were heading off to the parks the next morning.  

This cake mix includes dried carrots and raisins.  They add a nice touch to the finished cookies.

I'd recommend busting out the mixer for this recipe, carrot cake version or not.  It makes a dough that is too dense to mix by hand.

I make considerably smaller cookies than they do at WDW.  A cookie scoop makes this process much faster and less messy.  If your dough is too sticky, pop it in the fridge for a few minutes.  

The hardest part....waiting

The finished product.  My mom says she prefers the flavor of this cookie over Disney's.  Let me know what you think when you make them yourself. 

 

Carrot Cake Cookies
GrowingUpDisney.com

8 ounces cream cheese, softened
4 ounces butter, softened
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1 egg

1 cup hot water

1 box (18.25 oz) carrot cake mix (I suggest Duncan Hines)

1 container cream cheese icing or your own favorite recipe

Measure one cup very hot tap water in a glass measuring cup.  Soak carrot/raisin mixture for 5 minutes and then drain well, reserving the liquid.  Set aside to cool.  Blend first four ingredients.  (Use a mixer for this recipe.  It makes a dense dough.)  Gradually add cake mix, carrot/raisin mixture, and one to two tablespoons of the reserved soaking liquid. Drop by the spoonful onto ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake for 10-12 minutes at 350.  Don't let them get too brown.  Cool for 3 minutes on cookie sheet and then transfer to a rack to cool completely.  Makes 3-4 dozen cookies.  Add a dollop of cream cheese icing to a cookie and top with another to make a sandwich.  Enjoy!

Magical Blogorail: What Would You Do with Three Hours Alone at WDW?

Welcome to those of you joining me from A World View and those of you just hopping aboard. I am the 2nd stop on our Magical Blogorail.

Today the Magical Blogorail answers a very interesting question...

What would I do with three hours alone in Walt Disney World? Well, when I traveled by myself to meet my brother in 2007 and had an evening alone, I strolled from Port Orleans Riverside to PO French Quarter for some dinner. Then I took a few pictures and enjoyed a boat ride to Downtown Disney. There, I splurged on a Precious Moments Disney bride and groom figure. I also bought some bath bombs from Basin and a couple of glasses and tiny bottles of wine from Mickey's Kitchen. After my boat ride back to my resort, I concluded the evening with a nice soak in the tub, a glass of wine and a good book.

On my trip last week, I had a couple of opportunities for brief breaks from the kiddos and my parents. In those cases, I did some shopping, took photos for future blog use and enjoyed coffee and part of a carrot cake cookie.

As a stay-at-home mom with no family nearby, the thought of three hours all to myself, at Disney or otherwise, is quite a luxury. The first thing that comes to mind is the Wild Africa Trek at Animal Kingdom. Everyone who has gone says it is amazing. That's a pricy option, though, so my second choice would be a photo stroll through World Showcase. I just love it there and having the time to really set up shots and play with settings on my camera would be lots of fun. And maybe I could finally try a grey goose slush.

Thank you for joining me today. Your next stop on the Magical Blogorail Loop is Disney Donna Kay.

Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail should you happen to have to make a stop along the way and want to reboard:

1st Stop ~ A World View

2nd Stop ~ Growing Up Disney

3rd Stop ~ Disney Donna Kay

4th Stop ~ Focused on the Magic

Final Stop ~ My Dreams of Disney

Magical Blogorail: Disney Snacks, Mmmm...I'll Have That

Welcome to the first stop aboard Magical Blogorail Red. Enjoy the ride as we share with you our favorite Disney snacks.

Right out of the gate, I'm going to bash two Disney favorites...turkey legs and churros.  They just don't do anything for me. 

However, Walt Disney World has a plethora of other tasty options to tempt the palate and tide you over to the next meal (or snack.) Here are a few of my favorites, in no particular order.

1. The fish and chicken basket at Columbia Harbour House.  This is a meal, you say, and you'd be correct.  But if you split it with someone it makes a nice, hearty snack and the second floor provides a delightful and well air-conditioned escape from the craziness on the street below.

2. Ice cream.  I used this picture because my brother took it and thinks it's very funny that I didn't notice characters behind me.  Hey, it was good ice cream.  This was at Animal Kingdom but Chris is also a big fan of Storybook Treats at Magic Kingdom.  

3. Afternoon tea at Garden View Lounge in the Grand Floridian.  This one is stretching the definition of snack a bit but with service between 2:00 and 4:30 it does fall between what I consider as traditional meal times. 

4. Anything from the Food and Wine Festival.  This was my husband in 2007, preparing to enjoy a selection of goodies from the Ireland kiosk.

5. Dole Whip.  This is one Disney Parks classic that I adore.  I prefer mine plain but Chris likes his as the float.  I'm looking forward to trying a citrus swirl on my next visit.  I'm not old enough to really remember Orange Bird, but I do remember having those orange-shaped cups around the house.

6. Goldfish crackers, Cheerios, raisins, or anything else your small child likes.  Sometimes it's really important to have something for kiddos NOW.  Those little snacks that have prevented or at least delayed a meltdown are certainly worth carrying around.

7. Mickey ice cream bars.  I know I already mentioned ice cream but these beauties deserve their own mention.  This photo is of Tink but Baby Minnie also got to sample this treat while we were in Hilton Head.  I don't know exactly what it is, but the combination of premium ice cream, yummy chocolate, and being on Disney property is magic, frozen and on a stick.

8. Carrot Cake Cookies.  Oh, thank you, Lou Mongello for bringing these babies to my attention.  If you haven't tried one before, the next time you are at the Studios, while everyone else is running to Toy Story Mania, you go to Writer's Stop.  And you are welcome.

No, this isn't #9.  I know cupcakes are trendy and everyone seems to get all excited about Disney cupcakes, but the ones I have tried at Magic Kingdom and the Studios didn't wow me.  I think WDW has much better choices available.  Although some of the cupcakes are darn cute.

9. Fruit.  Duh-huh?  I love that fresh fruit and healthier bagged snacks are available more often now.  As a mom, it's so nice to know that I can pick up something healthy for the girls.  As a sweets fanatic, I prefer my bananas dipped in chocolate and frozen and I always crave one at Animal Kingdom.

10. Something new.  Walt Disney World is an ever-changing place and this applies to snack choices as well.  Last trip, I tried a sweet cream cheese filled pretzel at The Lunching Pad in Tomorrowland.  That was a new one for me and I really enjoyed it.  

Hmm, now I think I need a snack.

Thank you for joining me today. Your next stop on the Magical Blogorail Loop is Disney Donna Kay.

Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail should you happen to have to make a stop along the way and want to reboard:

1st Stop ~ Growing Up Disney

2nd Stop ~ Disney Donna Kay

3rd Stop ~ Focused on the Magic

4th Stop ~ My Dreams of Disney

Final Stop ~ A World View

Minnie Moms: Disney in the Fall, Fall is MY Season

Amy: Fall is my family's prime time to take a Walt Disney World vacation. Over the years, we have visited WDW during every season but we always come back to the fall.

The big draw for us in October and November is the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. This will be the 16th year for the festival. It took a few years to gain steam but now it's one of the biggest events of the Disney year. I'm sure you know all about it so I will spare you the details. It's become especially important to us since my husband and I moved away in 2005 (for a silly thing called a paycheck). My family, and occasionally Andy's parents too, will meet up at Walt Disney World and spend a week enjoying the parks together. Having that designated time of year for our trip helps everyone plan vacation time and such. We experience the festival both in our large group and in small clusters, just like we tour the rest of the parks.

Enjoying the Ireland booth in Ridge's honor
when he couldn't join us in 2007

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party is a truly fun event. In 2006, my family went as a big group: DisneyDad, Mom, me, my husband, Ridge, and a friend. We had lots of fun. I mainly remember cutting up in the blacklights outside of Haunted Mansion, some great guest costumes, and scoring good seats, aka rocking chairs, for the parade. Dinner before the party was at Whispering Canyon at Wilderness Lodge so we took a boat to Magic Kingdom. Approaching the "spooky" park by water was very cool. Last year, Ridge and I went alone, courtesy of Kelly at Travel with the Magic. As bloggers, we took lots of camera gear and posted pictures as the night progressed but we also made sure to have fun along the way. That was also when we met Natalie of Meet the Magic, who I am proud to say now writes for us as a Minnie Mom. My first time with the Boo to You Parade was in 1997 during my college program. I was able to watch it during one of the dress rehearsals open to Cast Members. Now that grants you a prime spot on the curb, no camping out required.

Makeup + blacklight = scary

The Growing Up Disney family plus buddy, Ben
ready for MNSSHP

Fantastic costumes!

While I don't care much for Halloween as a holiday, I do love the fall decorations, especially on Main Street at Magic Kingdom. The clever jack-o-lanterns and clusters of leaves are such a cheery way to celebrate fall. And it makes you feel like it's jacket weather, even if you get a late October heat wave like we did last year.

Ridge and cousin Jason in 2008

Since we've begun blogging and connected to the Disney online community, fall also means meeting new friends, such as Natalie. In 2010, Growing Up Disney held a meet at Writers Stop in Disney's Hollywood Studios. We had a wonderful time chatting in person with some super people and not being limited to 140 characters (and eating carrot cake cookies). We also met up with some friends for Electrical Parade and Wishes, as well as attending a meet with the family from Mousekefoodies. A real thrill came when I was able to meet up with Heather, one of my sorority sisters, whom I hadn't seen since college. She writes here too from time to time and has shared some great tips.

Garden View Lounge for tea with Heather

Growing Up Disney meet

More GUD meet at Writers Stop

Glad to finally meet JL from DDL in person

Taking over the joint

The ladies from the Mousekefoodie meet.
The guys all jumped out of the shot to take pictures.

Fall at Walt Disney World in the last few years has also meant big announcements for my family. In 2008, just before the start of IllumiNations, I told my parents that they were going to be grandparents for the first time. In 2010, at Olivia's at Old Key West, Tink wore a "big sister" t-shirt to let them know the Growing Up Disney family was growing again. And no, I don't plan on another announcement in 2012 unless someone has a child they need me to adopt.

Tink, oblivious of the big news she's wearing,
enjoying Duffy stickers at Olivia's

Thank you for joining us as the Minnie Moms reflected on what makes Fall at Walt Disney World so special. If you've missed any articles in this week's series, I invite you to read on and enjoy the other wonderful Minnie Moms. While you are here, browse around to all our features and terrific staff and guest writers!


Other posts in this month's series:

• Disney in the Fall: The UK & The MK
• Disney in the Fall: Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party
• Disney in the Fall: Family Favorites