A Walk Around The World With Ridge--iPhone Apps

iPhone Apps...there really is an app for just about everything. I personally have way too many apps on my iPhone. In a new series, I am going to talk about several Disney dedicated apps as well as some apps that will just make your time in the queue a little more pleasant (also they are good for everyday usage). Everything from park maps and dining to photo editing, the iPhone does it all. I find it necessary to mention I am in no way compensated by any developers or Apple; I just really love my iPhone.

First up is a set of park map apps from www.Upinpoint.com. These are interactive park maps that show attraction locations, restaurants, and bathrooms along with descriptions of each point of interest. The maps use a number and letter system and when you select one of these letters or numbers the name of the attraction comes up. If you touch it again the detailed information about the attraction is displayed. Ride length, basic description of the ride, if fastpass is available and wait times. I personally use Lines for wait times but that info will come later. Overall these park maps are robust and are extremely handy for both the Disney beginner and the seasoned veteran who just wants a little more information on the park. I personally have the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom maps; however Downtown Disney is also available. I purchased my apps separately but now they have an App Pack for $2.99.

The new App Pack includes all the above maps as well as Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, SeaWorld, Busch Gardens Tampa, Polynesian Resort, Wilderness Lodge, Yacht and Beach Club, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Swan and Dolphin Resort, Coronado Springs Resort as well as the Orlando International Airport. That really is a ton of information for $2.99. Side note: I now own this App Pack and it removes the four separate apps and consolidates to the one.

Navigating the app is very simple. To find your location tap the familiar icon in the bottom left corner of any map and the blue dot is you. Then to get information on an attraction tap either the number or letter that is displayed over it. In this case Cinderella's Golden Carrousel (yes it has changed names, I am betting this is fixed in the next update.) Now tap the blue arrow to get detailed info on the ride. Not displayed in the picture is the attraction name and wait time; I moved them out of the way so other information could be seen. At the very bottom of the information screen is priority selector that will place a star over the attraction on your map. Once you have taken part in the fun you can select "visited" and a check mark now appears over said attraction (see red circle).

Now I know I said this map app was also good for experienced park goers as well as for the newbies and that is true. Because while I/we know where to go and how we like to get there, once in line I am inquisitive and like to get extra information on things that I might not think about at home. Enter the Wikipedia button. Now I know, Wikipedia is not an academically sound source but isn't it fun to use? It provides lots of information: true or not, it's entertaining.

Now I used just the Magic Kingdom map for my examples but each map works exactly the same way and each are full of useful information like calendar of events found in the tool bar icon of a calendar. It gives park, attraction, and performance times for the particular month and day selected. You can search from the tool bar, the ubiquitous magnifying glass. The settings are located from the tool bar (looks like a wrench) and you can set the information you would like displayed. You can get wait time information, but as I said before I like to use "Lines" and I will talk about that in the next post.

Overall the Disney Theme Park Maps from Upinpoint.com are very useful and I have recommended them to my cousin for their family trip in November. I have spoken about them before and have a trip planning update coming soon from them. I have tried to find something negative or a draw back to these map apps, however they are solidly built and just darn handy.

Do you have a map app on your phone? Have you found a flaw or a drawback in these maps? Let me know your thoughts, I love apps and am always looking for good ones.

New Favorite Thing.

Well after taking a lap around Hollywood Studios using the walking path to the Boardwalk and stoping for lunch at Big River (that post is coming) I walked over to Epcot to take another lap around World Showcase. And found my new favorite thing. Tuna Sensation, simple and elegant. Slices of avocado topped with chunks of sushi grade tuna then a drizzle of soy sauce. Perfect.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Guest Post--Travel Tips from Nine, Part 2

First Family Vacation with Teeny Tiny Tinkerbell, Part 2

This is part 2 of Janine's lessons learned traveling from England to France with her 6 month-old daughter, Felicity.  Click here for part 1.

4.  Feeding your baby on holiday is obviously a very important issue.  Amy has written a comprehensive article regarding formula versus milk but I’d like to touch on nursing (breastfeeding) versus introducing formula.  I have nursed F since day one and it has been a very rewarding but very time consuming activity.  As she would be 6 months when we took our first trip, it gave me the chance to consider switching her over to formula or at least combine, to make it easier when going out and enabling others to feed her.  As it stood F never really liked the bottle that much and her evening formula became a bit of a battle.  Add her first tooth into the mix and I decided the best way forward would be to resume to exclusive nursing.  This actually worked out really well for us.  The French are a baby loving nation and no one blinks an eye at a nursing mother.  I was able to do it everywhere, in restaurants, cafes, park benches and had no issues (asides from F being very nosey!)  I am very discreet and always wear a nursing cover to hide my modesty and it doubles up as an extra sun cover for F!  I also found in a lot of places that there would not have been the facilities to heat up a bottle either so it really did seem the best way for us.  I would also have done this is if we had have gone to WDW.  There are plenty of mother and baby places in Disney for both nursing mothers and places to warm bottles and food.


5.  I would also like in include a small bit on changing stations.  I am certain that the previously mentioned mother and baby areas in WDW are fantastic and that there are plenty of restrooms to do an emergency diaper change.  However, I can not say the same for France.  So please make sure wherever you go somewhere new, you have plenty of disposal changing mats in your diaper bag!  Thank goodness I did as F is now at the rolling about on the floor instead of cooperating stage.  I changed her in the car a few times but on the occasion I had to change her in the restroom, I was mightily grateful for the soft Pampers pads.  One time however I refused to change her on the floor as there was just not enough room.  Of course changing her stood up whilst my mother-in-law changed her would have always ended up with the same outcome … yes, she peed on me.

6.  So just to round things up, what has this vacation taught me to take with you on a day trip?  As mentioned, make sure you have a fully stocked diaper bag (again, Amy has already written an excellent blog regarding this) which is extra especially important when abroad.  I have no doubt I could get the Pampers diapers and wipes I use in the UK in the US but I was unsure about France.  Turns out I could get them, for literally double the price!  Definitely make sure you have any preferred or prescription creams (F has a special cream for her bottom as she is prone to nappy rash) and as number 1 states, any sunscreen and hat/rain cover/poncho/sweater etc.  I tend to use a backpack as a change bag when we’re out for the whole day so that anyone can carry it and any purchases can go in the bottom of the buggy. That reminds me, consider your buggy carefully too. We have a huge Graco travel system for use at home, but we ended up buying a second more lightweight stroller to take away with us.  It folded up much smaller in the car and was lighter to carry.  Make sure you have a favourite toy/book and for goodness sake make sure it is tied onto the buggy!!!  I take a whole load of cleaning wipes with me too in case a toy does fall on the floor, these also are used to wipe off any table I sit at before Fs hands are all over it.  I know some germs are good for kids but hey I like to be careful.  A must have for me was my nursing shawl, but equally ensure you have the correct bottles/formula/food.  And bear in mind if you’re abroad, it may not always be as easy to warm it, maybe a thermos flask of hot water could be the answer?  And of course, you’re bound to have your trusty iPhone/iPod with you anyways for some travelling entertainment.  That and babies favourite Playhouse Disney CD of course!!!

Contributed by Janine Pipe from Swindon, England.  She is a proud wife and mommy to almost 7 month old Felicity.  You can follow her on Twitter, @Disneynine.

Guest Post--Travel Tips from Nine, Part 1

First Family Vacation with Teeny Tiny Tinkerbell, Part 1

I haven’t always been obsessed with Disney.  In fact I didn’t go to Walt Disney World until I was 21 years old.  I realise this would be unheard of for some people, even with the excuse of living in the UK.

I won’t be making the same mistake with my daughter, Felicity (F), whom we are hoping to take to WDW by the time she is 4.  I tend to call her Tink but that would just cause confusion with the original Tink on this page!!!  She is now almost 7 months and something of a handful.  However she is already a big fan of all things Disney I am pleased to say.

Although we won’t be taking her to WDW for a few years yet, we have just returned from our first family vacation to France.

Here are some of my observations and tips from Felicity’s first trip abroad (and may be relevant for anyone wishing to go to Disneyland Paris!)

1.  Work out exactly which clothes you wish to take for your child and bear in mind whether you have laundry facilities or not and then … half it!!!  I was warned that I would take too much especially as we were staying with family and therefore could wash anything that was dirty but I still packed a whole case just for Felicity!  And of course as it was her first trip, we ended up buying stuff for her too so there really was not the need for a lot of what I took.  However, I would always recommend an item of warmer/cooler clothing.  Although it was forecast for 30 degrees in France I still took a sweater and waterproof for Felicity and was glad I did as the evenings could be a little cool and it certainly rained a couple of days.  Always make sure you have plenty of sunscreen, hats and a parasol too.  F was roasting in the midday sun on the days we ventured out and she was always smothered in sunscreen.  I'd recommend bringing it with you as you don’t always know if you can get the same make abroad.  If your child’s skin is used to a certain make, then I wouldn’t want to try out a new one on holiday! This is all applicable to a trip to Disney, that’s for sure! The boiling midday sun, the rain and the cool evenings are typical of Florida, not just Europe! And for UK travelers I would still advise taking skin care products just in case.

2.  Make sure you have plenty of entertainment if you have a long drive/plane ride.  I had already read a blog post by Amy suggesting iPhone/iPod applications so I decided to download some for the almost 12 hour drive across to France.  Typing babies into the app store search engine threw up a load of lite options which mean that they are free.  Since I didn’t know whether F would be interested I decided to get these options.  I installed Play Phone, Baby Piano, Toddler Counting and Baby Flashcards.  I should have also considered the fact I wouldn’t have access to cable or wifi for 2 weeks and bought an episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse from iTunes.  For our next trip this will be a must have item as well as a Playhouse Disney DVD!  We are also hoping to have an iPad for the journey next year which will keep F entertained as she’ll be 18 months by then.  Anyway back to the apps.  F loves the phone and the piano. They’re fairly easy to use and would suit from a young baby just becoming interested in things up to toddlers who like to grab things for themselves.  The phone app tended to freeze when F tried to push too many buttons at once but the piano was great fun.  The baby counting was ok but the flash cards were great and the noises kept F entertained for ages!  Just for fun I also downloaded the Disney Fairies Tinker bell game, which F is far too young to play with, but she enjoys watching me play and seeing Tink flying about.  Again I just got the lite free version.

3.  Always make sure you have plenty of toys.  We have a huge play box full of toys but chose just to take Fs favourites with us due to space.  We brought – plush Minnie and teddy who sleep in her cot, Emily doll, singing Fisher Price teapot and a soft book.  She barely looked at the teapot though as the grandparents had brought a ton of stuff for her and bought her goodness knows how much new stuff while we were there.  Her complete and utter favourite by a long shot was Sophie the teething giraffe.  I was recommended this by Amy and when I googled it before we went on holiday I discovered that it was French.  So we bought F a whole set of Sophi toys and a spare one while we were there and she absolutely loves it!  3 weeks later with her second tooth coming through it barely leaves her mouth.  I realise that it can be very expensive treating your children to new toys just to add to the hundreds of ones they already have.  It would be even worse going to WDW and being surrounded by all those plushes!  However if they do find something they love i.e. Sophie, definitely buy 2 just in case one goes missing.

Check back this afternoon for part 2 of this article and more great tips from Janine.

Contributed by Janine Pipe from Swindon, England.  She is a proud wife and mommy to almost 7 month old Felicity.  You can follow her on Twitter, @Disneynine.

Photo Flashback! Cinderella Fountain

This lovely fountain featuring Cinderella and her mouse friends is located in Fantasyland near the castle.  Be sure to notice the crown in the background.  It's a nice spot of quiet within the hustle and bustle of this popular land.

DVC Discount on D23

I just received an email offering a 10% discount on new D23 memberships to Disney Vacation Club Members.  D23 is the official Disney fan club.  This offer is good through September 30, 2010.

So if you've been looking for an excuse to buy into DVC, here you go.  This $7.50 or $3.50 should sway you.  Kidding!

For more information on D23, here's the official site.  D23.disney.go.com

Team Favorites--Resort Restaurants

Disney resort hotels offer some world-class dining options.  Here are a few favorites of the Growing Up Disney team.


Ridge:  When I think resort dining, I have to pick a time of day to suggest a favorite.  For breakfast I can't think of much better than Tonga Toast at Kona Cafe.  If you have never had such a ride on the sugar train as Tonga Toast will provide, you have not lived.  Tonga Toast is banana stuffed sourdough French toast that is fried and then rolled in cinnamon sugar and served with a strawberry compote and your choice of ham, bacon or sausage.  Pair this up with the 100% Kona coffee press pot, you have quite a breakfast to fuel you up for a park visit.

Part of the gang at the "Testosterone Lunch"
at ESPN the day before the wedding

If I am not in a park, a great place for lunch is the ESPN Club at the Boardwalk.  This is a beer and burgers kind of joint.  Nothing overly fancy and oddly enough I rarely get a burger here.  They are really good and very large, but the Homerun Hotdog or the extreme Reuben Sandwich are two of my favorites.  The hotdog is giant and can be topped with chili, cheese and onions.  For the Reuben, when it says extreme they aren't kidding.  The corned beef is piled high with sauerkraut and Swiss cheese and a thick rye bread.

For dinner, go big and bold or go home.  Boma is the way to go if you aren't looking for something intimate.  Boma is at the Animal Kingdom Lodge downstairs from the lobby.  The menu has items that could be found all over Africa offering a variety of breads, fruits and salads.  Where Boma really brings the heat is with the meats, seafood and other African specialties.
FuFu: sweet and white potatoes mashed with coriander and cinnamon
Bobotie: beef and lamb quiche, Durban spiced chicken and an awesome coconut curry seafood soup.  Can't beat Boma for variety and quality.  Everyone can find something to make them happy here.

DisneyDad at Olivia's in September 2008

DisneyDad:  When we go out to eat at home and my wife asks me where I'd like to go I usually give the same answer - Olivia's.  Olivia's may not have the best food at WDW, but to me, it means I am "home."  I try to eat there at least once on each trip.  Over the years the menu and staff have changed (anyone remember the waitress from long ago called Wanda?) and the menu has been "updated."  My favorite dessert at Olivia's is no longer on the menu, Key Lime White Chocolate Mousse.

The absolute best meal I have ever eaten at WDW (possibly anywhere) was with my daughter two nights before she was married at The Wedding Pavilion.  We had a special Father-Daughter meal together at the Chef's Table at Victoria and Albert's at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort.  Our gastronomic adventure began with the Chef coming to talk to us about our likes, dislikes, and were we allergic to anything.  There was no menu (we were presented with souvenir menus at the end of the meal.)  We didn't choose what we were to eat.  What followed was a ten course meal that was absolutely phenomenal.  The chef explained what each dish was as it was served and each one was wonderful.  Dinner was completed with a coffee service brewed in a unique vacuum coffee pot.  While a once-in-a-lifetime experience, the Chef and staff made it an unforgettable event.


Amy:  Yes, I am a broken record.  I love tea at the Grand Floridian.  It's a fantastic way to spend the afternoon.  It's very refined without being too fussy.

Ready to go to Jiko

Andy and I went to Jiko at Animal Kingdom Lodge on our last trip to celebrate our fifth wedding anniversary.  It was fabulous with excellent food and service.  We had great fun discussing the food.  I know that sounds odd, but we don't get to go out much anymore!  We had olive flatbread and ostrich for appetizers, filet mignon with mac & cheese and halibut for entrees and were given a pistachio creme brulee for dessert.  Pics and full review coming soon.

In early 2005, I crossed the top 3 items off my Disney bucket list.   I received my Mickey medal for completing the Disney marathon, had a spectacular Disney Fairy Tale Wedding, and ate at the chef's table at Victoria and Albert's.  Now that I've also watched my little girl toddle down Main Street USA with my dad, it's all downhill from here.  Kidding!  I agree with Dad, the meal at V&A was the best I will ever have and I am honored to have enjoyed it with him.  I couldn't begin to tell you what all we ate but I'll scan the menus in soon.  If you ever have a good reason for a huge splurge at WDW, don't pass up on Victoria and Albert's if for no other reason than there is a chocolate course!

California Grill at the Contemporary is another remarkable Disney resort restaurant.  We ate here for the rehearsal dinner.  Our group was seated in the private dining room.  The food was outstanding and the view of the fireworks over Magic Kingdom is unmatched.

Boma is always delicious.  It is an African inspired buffet at Animal Kingdom Lodge and never fails to please.

Whispering Canyon at Wilderness Lodge offers a meal served family style and a heaping helping of hi-jinx.

I love breakfast at Kona Cafe at the Polynesian Resort.  Two words: Tonga toast.

I know someone is screaming at their computer screen that they love Chef Mickey's.  We went a billion years ago when it was at what was then the Disney Village.  Our most recent visit was this past April for my daughter's first birthday.  While we enjoyed the visit, it still has yet to earn its place in my favorites list.  Here's my review of Chef Mickey's.

What are your favorite places to dine at the WDW resorts?  Did we include your favorite?  Are we missing a place you love?  Please comment below.

Disney Mini-Golf at Winter Summerland

A round or two of miniature golf at Winter Summerland is a great way to spend an afternoon.  Whether you've just had it with the crowds or are looking for something inexpensive to do on your last day, Winter Summerland is a wonderful option.

Like everything at Disney, there is a theme and a backstory.  The idea is that Winter Summerland was built as a vacation destination for Santa's elves but the elves were split on which was better, sand or snow.  As a result, two 18 hole miniature golf courses were built.  One has a winter theme, complete with concrete snowmen and traditional Christmas music.  The other was for the elves who preferred the Florida sun and includes surfboards and Beach Boys style holiday tunes.  

While there are a few challenges along the way, the whole family should be able to play well enough to have a good time.  In true miniature golf fashion, some of the holes will surprise you with special effects.  We don't do spoilers around here, so you'll have to go explore on your own.

Disney has two miniature golf courses on property and this one is the favorite of my family.  Winter Summerland is located across the parking lot from Blizzard Beach.  If you are using Disney transportation, you'll ride the Blizzard Beach bus to get here.  The course is open from 10am until 11pm. The current cost is $12.00 for adults and $10.00 for ages 3-9.  Annual passholders get a 50% discount for themselves and up to 3 guests.  The golf clubs come in adult and kid sizes with plastic putters for the littlest golfers.

Have you played mini golf at Winter Summerland?   What was your best score?

At Your House After the Mouse--Beat the Heat Tacos

Another great benefit of freeze ahead cooking is the ability to prepare dinner without heating up the house.  A huge plus this summer!  It's supposed to feel like 115 here today. 

Tonight we are having tacos.  From the freezer, I have retrieved one pack of taco meat and one pack of black beans.  We always have tortillas and the other fixin's on hand.

Taco Meat:
I usually make 3 pounds at a time.  One big pot to clean and I have many easy meals stored away.  A little secret of my taco meat mixture...it has carrots in it.  You can know that your family is getting a little more of their veggie requirement without a fuss.  The carrots also add a little sweetness to the mixture.  They hide well behind the tomatoes.  If they need to be totally incognito for your crowd, just make sure you puree them really well, adding a little water as needed.

My kitchen posts are more about teaching concepts and inspiring ideas, so again, this isn't a hard and fast recipe.

Per Batch:
1 pound ground beef, ours is really lean, but that's up to you
3 carrots, pureed
1 can diced tomatoes
1 packet taco seasoning

Brown and drain your ground beef.  Add in the can of diced tomatoes, the carrot puree, and taco seasoning.  Bring it up to a boil and allow to cool well before packaging for the freezer.  Use the same trick as the round steak.  Prepare freezer zip top bags with the amount your family will eat in one meal.  I still freeze these flat in a cake pan, but folding the bag in half makes this smaller quantity easier to deal with later.

Black Bean Dip/Side Dish/Burrito Filling:
I've been making a version of this for a while now.  For a super fast addition to your taco dinner, combine one can of black beans, drained, with one can of tomatoes with cilantro and lime.  Cook until the tomato juice has condensed by about half.  This is a great side on its own, rolled into a tortilla for a burrito, or combined with some cooked rice for a heartier option. 

I've started cooking dried beans since they are less expensive.  Prepare a one pound bag of black beans according to the package directions.  Add in two cans of tomatoes with cilantro and lime and one can whole kernel corn, drained.  The yellow of the corn looks really nice in the mixture.  It could use some green too, so I think I'll try some green pepper or fresh cilantro next time.  If you are making this with dried beans, you'll end up with a rather large quantity, so freeze it using the tips above. 

For both the taco meat and the black beans, I allow them to thaw on the counter for a half hour or so and then cut off the bag.  I reheat them each in a microwave safe bowl covered loosely with plastic wrap. 

With your freezer and pantry stocked with these recipes, you can easily cook a quick meal with minimal clean up and without heating up the house. 

Homemade tacos with black beans-- a great simple meal At Your House After The Mouse

A Walk Around The World With Ridge--Eat To The Beat!

During the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, in addition to the smattering of decadent delights dotting World Showcase there is also entertainment on select nights at the America Gardens Theatre. Acts from yesterday and today perform throughout the entire month of October and the early weeks of November.

In previous years we have gotten to hear Sister Hazel, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Taylor Hicks. These performers will be back this year along with seven new acts, including Sugar Ray and 38 Special. This year I'll be able to catch 38 special and Night Ranger October 20-21, 22-24 respectively.

Even in years when the performers haven't been anyone I would normally care to see, I have never been disappointed with the live shows. The American Gardens Theatre is a great venue for making every seat seem like a good one. Now if you are one of those people that just have to be down front and center then you need to be planning ahead. Depending on who is playing that evening, a line can start forming several hours in advance. The theatre has only bench seating and to me it isn't great but last two times I was there we stood the whole time anyway.

2010 Eat to the Beat! Concert Series Lineup:
10/1-10/3: Taylor Dayne, "Tell It to My Heart"

10/4-10/5: Kool & The Gang, "Celebration"

10/6-10/8: Sugar Ray, "Fly"

10/9-10/10: Taylor Hicks, "Do I Make You Proud "

10/11-10/12: Air Supply, "Lost in Love"

10/13-10/15: Sister Hazel, "All For You"

10/16-10/17: Howard Jones, "No One Is To Blame"

10/18-10/19: Expose, "Seasons Change"

10/20-10/21: 38 Special, "Hold on Loosely "

10/22-10/24: Night Ranger, "Sister Christian"

10/25-10/27: Billy Ocean, "Caribbean Queen"

10/28-10/31: Starship starring Mickey Thomas, "We Built This City"

11/1-11/3: Boyz II Men, "End of the Road"

11/4-11/5: Roger Hodgson formerly of Supertramp, "Give A Little Bit"

11/6-11/7: Jon Secada, "Just Another Day"

11/8-11/9: Hanson, "MMMBop"

11/10-11/11: Rick Springfield, "Jessie’s Girl"

11/12-11/14: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, "You & Me & the Bottle Makes Three"

Bottom line, the concert series is a tremendous addition to the Food and Wine Festival and great fun will be had by all. With good music, great food and flowing exotic imported beers, the atmosphere is electric. Live entertainment is available nightly during the festival and the bands play at 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45 p.m. Even the early birds among us can watch the entertainment. If you go, don't worry the good times are included in the admission price. Have fun; I hope to see you there.

Do you have a favorite band you want to hear at the Food and Wine Festival? Let us know who you are excited to see.

Guest Post: Magic Your Way

First of all I’d like to say I’m flattered Amy asked for me to be a guest blogger!  Amy and I went to college together and were sorority sisters.  We have been able to reconnect thanks to the internet and her awesome blog, Growing Up Disney, which I’m thankful for!

I grew up visiting Walt Disney World.  I was raised in South Florida and Disney World wasn’t too far away.  We usually went once a year and it was normally through school or church.  This is the way I remember going to Disney…wake up early, drive 4 hours to Orlando, spend the day in the Magic Kingdom and then drive back home that evening.  Can you say EXHAUSTED?!  I would envy those that could stay in Disney hotels and eat at Disney restaurants.  The only food I ever ate was fries and maybe a slice of pizza from a quick service restaurant, if I was lucky!  My family actually did go to Disney for a weekend and we did stay in a resort ONCE.  We camped at Fort Wilderness (in a camper not a cabin) soon after Epcot was built.  Not exactly luxury but I do have the fondest memories of that trip over any others from my childhood.

I guess that’s why I cringe when I hear about someone going to Disney on a vacation only for a couple of days.  I hear people say they’re going to Orlando for a vacation and they’ll go to the Magic Kingdom for one of the days while they are there.  I want to scream, “You’re doing it all wrong!”  I often hear people complain about how stressful the planning is or how stressful their trip was but it doesn‘t have to be.  There is a much easier way!  I believe the way to go is to stay at least 5 nights and to do the Magic Your Way with a dining plan.  You’re not stressed out trying to cram everything into 1-2 days!  There is so much to see and do and it makes it so much more enjoyable when you can take your time and not be in a rush.  We’ve actually been for 8 days and we still leave feeling like we haven’t seen it all!

I had not been to Walt Disney World since college in 1992.  I had my career, met the love of my life, got married, and had a son.  When our son was about to turn 3 in 2007, we started planning our first Disney trip as a family.  My husband’s boss at the time was a Disney fanatic.  He knew all things Disney and we knew nothing when it came to planning a trip.  It is thanks to him that we learned how to plan our trip right and our Disney addiction quickly began!

Returning to Disney brought back so many memories, having gone there my entire childhood.  Seeing the happiness and joy on my child’s face was absolutely priceless to me!  I know this sounds corny but I literally got tears in my eyes the first time we entered through the gates on Main Street!  We got a park hopper pass and enjoyed going to all of the parks for 6 days and 5 nights.  We stayed on property at Port Orleans French Quarter which we enjoyed.  I must admit though, my favorite thing which I wasn’t expecting at all was the dining!  It was absolutely fabulous!  I had no idea we would wake up eating Mickey waffles, pancakes, eggs, bacon, and biscuits and then in the evening eat filet mignon, seafood, and crème brulee!  And all of this was made so convenient with the swipe of one little “Key to the World” card!

Little did I know our vacation in September 2007 would spark such a love for Disney in our family!  My son will be turning six this year and we’ve just planned his 5th trip (in three years) to Disney this November!  He now has a new sister that will be joining us this year for the first time.  We’ve decided to start her young, at 6 months!

It’s so easy (and dare I say fun) to plan our trips!  I simply call (407) W-Disney, book the resort of our choice for the dates we would like and inform them I’d like to do the Magic Your Way plus dining plan.  I then make all of my dining reservations online and it’s done!  Please note, many restaurants do book up quickly so I recommend making your reservations as close to the 180 day window as possible.  And it doesn’t have to be ridiculously expensive.  Our trip this year will cost approximately $1600 which includes hotel, food, and park passes for a family of four (well, 3 and a baby) for 5 nights.  We will stay on property again at our favorite resort, Port Orleans Riverside, and we will have the dining plan through a Disney promotion for free.

I hope this information helps someone while planning their next vacation.  Just be warned: you may create your own Disney addiction as well!

Contributed by Corby C. of Atlanta, Georgia. She is a proud wife and mom to Banks and Henley, a Disney Destination Planner with Travel with the Magic and one of our Minnie Moms.

Photo Flashback! The Dapper Dans, 1979

Isn't it great that some things never change?  Here are the Dapper Dans harmonizing on Main Street USA during our visit in May of 1979.  The quartet has been performing at Walt Disney World since the Magic Kingdom opened in 1971.

I ran across a neat site with pictures of the Dapper Dans over the years.  It's mainly a Disneyland site, but the Florida performers do have a page.  Click here to visit their tribute website.

Team Favorites--Non-park Activity

While the theme parks at Walt Disney World are certainly the main reason most people visit the resort, don't miss out on some of the other great recreational activities available to you.  From boating and fishing to golfing and horseback riding to shopping and dining, there are many things to do at Walt Disney World that don't involve turnstiles.  Here are a few favorites of the Growing Up Disney team.

Amy:  I obviously love the theme parks but I also think the resorts are an attraction unto themselves.  My favorite is the Grand Floridian.  It's so beautiful and I find it relaxing just to walk into the lobby.  Afternoon tea with my mom is one of my favorite things to do at WDW and I highly recommend the Garden View Lounge and its tea service.  Depending on the time of day, you may hear a pianist or an orchestra entertaining in the Grand's lobby.  Many times you may spot a bridal party taking pre-ceremony photos on the grand staircase.   They have a great system for taking both the groom's and bride's photos here without the couple seeing each other.  (I really do have to blog about my wedding soon....)  Other favorite resorts for relaxing and exploring include the Polynesian and Animal Kingdom Lodge. 

Heading to breakfast at Kona Cafe

While this is often more transportation than recreation, I love riding the boats at Walt Disney World.  To get to the Grand for tea, I like to take the Monorail over from the Magic Kingdom and then leisurely make our way back on the boat that provides service to Magic Kingdom, Grand Floridian, and the Polynesian.  We normally stay at Old Key West and the water taxi to Downtown Disney is fun.  Again, we typically take the quicker option, in this case the bus, to get there and return by the more leisurely transportation choice.  If you are going to Wilderness Lodge from the Magic Kingdom, be sure to take a boat! 

Walt Disney World is a great place for shopping.  Since Disney has been homogenizing their merchandise over the last few years, I like to window shop during my trip and then go to Downtown Disney's World of Disney store to purchase.  This ginormous store has much of the merchandise you see at the parks and I like making one big purchase.  Thankfully, not every store on property features the same Mickey 2010 t-shirt.  The World Showcase shops in particular have some very interesting merchandise.

TIP:  Most merchandise locations at Walt Disney World theme parks and Downtown Disney will offer resort delivery.  If you've bought something you don't want to carry around with you, the store can have it sent to the gift shop at the WDW resort where you are staying.  This takes a couple of days, but if you are at the end of your visit or staying off property, they still have you covered.  Your purchase can also be delivered to the front of the park.

Miniature golf is a favorite activity of our family.  I peeked ahead and saw that DisneyDad is covering that so I'll leave it for him.  I already have a full post scheduled for next Monday for Winter Summerland Mini-Golf, so be sure to check it out.

Confession:  I haven't been in a Walt Disney World pool since college.  We're more hit the parks people.  However, now that we have Tink, this will be changing.  WDW has some great resort pools.  I'm especially interested in staying at Kidani Village to let Tink check out the vast water play area there.  Most resorts have both feature pools with fancy theming, slides, etc and quiet pools which are more simple.

Click here for my post on jogging at Walt Disney World.  Most of the resorts offer walking/jogging/running paths and a morning jog is a nice way to watch the World wake up.

Mom at the 18th hole, winning again

DisneyDad:  We usually plan a day where we do not go to a park when we visit WDW.  My wife loves to play mini-golf  and she has a tendency to beat me when we play.  We enjoy Disney's Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course near Blizzard Beach Water Park.  The fun begins when you pick up your club at the small airstream looking camper - the Winterbago - which is the starters booth as well as snack bar and gift shop (Annual Passholders get a 50% discount on golf.)  Be sure to bring your camera and climb into Santa's sleigh for a quick picture before you begin.  Then choose your Santa-themed course...Sand or Snow.

The Sand Course takes you on a summer trip to the beach with Santa.  On one hole you'll find him buried in the sand as you putt over his belly.  There is a large sand castle with a drawbridge for you to test your luck.  The Snow Course takes you on a winter trip with Santa and his elves along with some of the Disney characters.  It has a snow castle that matches the sand castle.  Watch out for Squirty the snowman who just might get you wet as you pass.  Both courses end up with a special message from Santa on a computer screen as you finish up on the 18th hole.

Watch out for alligators!  Both courses are near a lake and I have seen a small alligator sunning himself.  This is central Florida after all.

Ridge:  My favorite non-park activity, besides taking a break and just grabbing a nap in the room, is going to Downtown Disney or the Boardwalk to hangout.  Both have shopping and pretty nice restaurants.  At Downtown Disney my favorite restaurant is Raglan Road and it's ESPN Club at Boardwalk.  New to the Boardwalk is Kouzzina by chef Cat Cora and has a Mediterranean menu.  Also at the Boardwalk is the Big River Grille & Brewing Works where they make their own unique beers.  It's nice to get out and people watch sometimes, especially at Jellyrolls dueling piano bar.  There really isn't a song these guys don't know.  There is also other entertainment to be seen here right out in the open, so keep your eyes peeled.

iPhone App Review -- Who Will Rule? and Number Sense

GIVEAWAY DETAILS BELOW

Who Will Rule? is an interactive storybook app based on an Australian aboriginal fable.  The general story line is creatures of the air, land, and sea began to argue about who was going to be in charge.  They decided the largest group would win.  Once they all arrived, they found their numbers to be equal.  It came down to which group could claim the platypus but he insisted they all share.  It's a very simple story with a good message. 

The pages are filled with attractive folk art drawings.  Click here to see additional  samples of the artwork.  My daughter likes this app's colorful pages and interactive features.  There are things to discover on each page.  For instance, when you tap the elephant, his head moves and you hear him trumpet.  Let your child tap around the screen to find these surprises.  Part of the story includes the names of the animals lining up to be counted.  I didn't know which names went with some of the birds.  I thought about complaining about that but have decided it's a good chance for me to learn what a cassowary looks like.

Who Will Rule? also allows you to choose who will read the story aloud.  You can choose to have a young boy's voice or read it yourself.  In additon, you can record your own voice for your child.  The settings also have an option to distort the boy's voice in several ways.  That's the one thing I don't like about this app but it's hidden in the settings so you can just ignore it.

Overall, a great storybook app with enough going on to entertain a wide range of children.  This app is available on iTunes for $2.99.  See below to enter to win a free download of this app.

Number Sense is a math game app designed for children from 4 to 8 years of age.  Within it are five different games, focusing on different tasks.  Click here to take a look at some sample graphics.   The games allow kids to practice counting, comparing and ordering numbers, subraction, and concepts of greater than/less than. 

Booster Balls--Kids practice counting and are rewarded by feeding a monster.  Kindergardeners love silly so it should be a hit.

Do the Dotty--This is a simple connect the dots game.  Once the sequence is completed, a cute picture develops and the child can choose several colors for it.  The pictures can also be saved in your iPhone/iPod's photos folder.

Numberella--This game encourages kids to compare numbers from 1 to 10.  The super hero donkey is really cute.  Try tickling him!  The app gives reinforcing messages for right answers and positive correction for wrong answers.  The donkey gets hit by lightning for wrong answers.  That strikes me as a little harsh but maybe it's no worse than the Roadrunner cartoons I used to watch as a kid.

Fishhoonka--Kids can practice greater than/less than/equal to concepts by moving fish from one side of the screen to the other. 

Toot Toot Train--Add or subtract cars to the train to send the train off to various cute candy named places.

After successfully completing each game, the child gets a special award.  They can admire these awards in the "My Stuff" bookcase on the title page of the app.

This is a good app for practicing early math concepts with enough fun to keep kids coming back for more.  It's on sale as of this writing for $1.99.  The normal price is $2.99.

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Ready to enter to win Who Will Rule?  You get one entry for each of the following.  Please note each as a separate entry in the comments section below so I know what you have done.

Mandatory Entry: Briefly tell me why you think your child (or grandchild or you) will enjoy Who Will Rule?

Extra Entries: (If you are already following me through any of these channels, just note that.  Hey, free entry!)

1. Become a fan of Growing Up Disney blog on Facebook.
2. Follow Disney4Babies on Twitter.
3. Follow Growing Up Disney publicly on Google Friend Connect (see widget at right.)
4. Follow Growing Up Disney on Networked Blogs on Facebook.
5. Subscribe to the RSS feed for this blog.
6. Send a tweet about this giveaway (one per day).  Feel free to copy and send this: "RT @Disney4Babies Visit http://www.growingupdisney.com/ for a #giveaway of a great children's app from Punflay, Who Will Rule? #Disney"
7. Blog about this giveaway.
8. Add Growing Up Disney to your blogroll.

This contest ends at midnight Central time on Sunday, August 8.  The winner will be chosen at random from all eligible entries.  Good luck!  CONTEST CLOSED

Disclosure: I received apps from Punflay for reviewing purposes. No monetary compensation was received or offered. All opinions expressed are my honest thoughts on these products.

At Your House After The Mouse--Round Steak

Between WDW vacations and visiting out-of-state family, it feels like we travel alot.  A few years back, I found a method of cooking that helps put a good meal on the table when you're short on time.  This is really handy when you're just back from vacation and having a hard time dealing with the real world again.  I am referring to "freeze ahead" or "large batch" cooking.  No matter what you call it, it's great.  I love it when my freezer is full of items I can use to quickly and easily feed my family.

While this is a little off topic for a Disney blog, we're all busy all the time, so why not make life a little easier between trips?

Let's start with a very simple recipe for round steak.  One of the great things about cooking and freezing large batches is that it allows you to take advantage of good prices on food items.  The next time round steak is on sale at your local market, buy a couple of packs and try this recipe.  I am fortunate that my inlaws raise cattle and give us beef, but I never quite know what to do with the round steak.  Now we enjoy this ridiculously easy meal.

Per Batch:
1 pound (give or take) round steak
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 pack dry onion soup mix
1/4 cup water
Sour cream to taste

Slice the round steak into strips.  I like to cut mine while it's still slightly frozen so it slices more easily.  Place into your crock pot.  Top with remaining ingredients and stir well.  Cook on low for 5-6 hours.  Stir a little sour cream into the portion of the mixture that you'll be eating immediately.  Leave the sour cream out of the portion that will be frozen.  I serve it over rice, but potatoes or egg noodles would be good too.

Freeze the leftovers in quart-sized freezer zipper bags, pressing out as much air as possible.  The amount you'll put in each bag will depend on how many people you need to feed.  These were set up for two adults.  Be sure to label and date the bags.  Lay the bags flat in a cake pan and freeze until solid.  The frozen bags stack really nicely in your freezer.  This trick works great for all sorts of recipes: soups, sauces, taco meat, etc.

When you are ready to serve, open the bag a little to vent and microwave it for about a minute.  Once it's thawed enough to break apart with your hands, transfer the mixture into a saucepan and heat thoroughly.  Before serving, stir in a little sour cream. 

In the picture, I've served this with what I call Italian green beans and Granny's carrots.  Both are also freezer-friendly.  I'll cover them in a future post if this one goes over well. 

Freeze ahead cooking requires a little planning but it pays great dividends.  It's wonderful to know you can have a homecooked dinner on the table in the time it takes to cook rice.  And since you've done all the real prep and cooking on another day, the clean-up is minimal as well.  Just what you need as you're readjusting to the real world. 


Please check out our other recipes and home ideas.
Pumpkin Crisp
Cheesecake Cookies
Carrot Cake Cookies
L.A. (lower Alabama) Caviar 
Nutella Brownies
Beat the Heat Tacos
Ribbon Window Valance
Christmas Card Display

Walk Around The World With Ridge--F&W it's almost here!

Are you looking forward to the 15th Annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival? I know I am. As a veteran of six EIF&WF trips and an amateur foodie, I know this is a fantastic opportunity to try many new things, all possible because of Disney.

The tapas sized portions of food available at the festival are just right. Sometimes you will wish they are larger but remember there are lots of things to try. As I have said in a previous post, one thing that is a must-have is the fisherman's pie at the Ireland booth. It really is one of the most flavorful items I have ever tried. In fact when I went last year with my cousin, he and I each ate a fisherman’s pie and then looked at each other and got in line to buy another. The makeup of a fisherman's pie is scallops, shrimp and lobster in a creamy red stew that is topped with mashed potatoes not unlike a shepherd's pie. Another favorite is the Kerrygold cheese selection. Unique to Ireland is the Bunratty Meade which is a honey wine and something you just don't see every day.

With Ireland out of the way, a little info that I am sure has and will be covered, mentioned, alluded to, and possibly driven in to the ground, is there will be 27 individual booths representing countries and cuisines from around the world. However I do have a personal disappointment to report. There will be no seminar or tasting by Sam Adams this year. They are still bringing in nine selections including the 15th anniversary brew only available at the festival. *sigh* Can’t stay the same forever I guess.

One of the greatest aspects of the food & wine festival is the fact that it gives adventurous eaters access to foods that might not normally be available to them, at least not without some difficulty. One example: ceviche. Ceviche is a seafood dish prepared without heat. The seafood used is usually some combination of shrimp, scallops, and fish. Then added are some fresh seasonal vegetables and everything is left to marinate. The citrus juice used chemically cooks the seafood. I can't even begin to describe how good it actually is. Another item I wouldn't have normally tried is Escargots Persillade en Brioche. Butter and garlic roasted escargot served up on a piece of French bread. MMMM. Yeah, these are good too.

While the food is great, don’t forget there are also some great wine and beer pairings for the menu items. Or you can always just enjoy a new beverage by itself. Sam Adams is bringing the 15th Anniversary Festival Beer Coastal Wheat Light, which is only sold in EPCOT during the festival. They also have Boston Lager, Octoberfest, Cherry Wheat (my favorite with a crab cake,) Cream Stout, Blackberry Witbier and Latitude 48 IPA. In other countries the wine selections take center stage. The Ice Wines of Canada and Rieslings of Germany are perfect dessert wines. Japan has warm and cold sake and new this year is Korea bringing Soju. Needless to say there is a plethora of gastronomic goodies out there this year.


What are you looking forward to most-- an old favorite or a new taste sensation? Let us know.