Course by Course

           Greetings everyone and welcome to another entry of The Magical Mystery Blog.

            As mentioned last week in my Disney Magic Monday entry, I’ll be covering different types of eateries throughout the weeks to come. Today I’ll be focusing on the best fast food aka counter service throughout the parks. Some places will have more than others, just like the last entry. No reservations are needed at these walk in eateries. However, most if not all of these places tend to be crowded on a daily basis.

            Some of these eateries also serve alcohol which is great because who doesn’t love a cold one on a hot day? Below are my top counter service eateries to check out next time you’re in Disney World.

First up is the Magic Kingdom where if you wish hard enough, you may find the food of your dreams.

           1)      Casey’s Corner  - get your foot longs here, foot longs here on Main Street U.S.A.! Just before the Castle on the corner of Main Street U.S.A. lies this small eatery dedicated to America’s pastime. Featuring foods like hot dogs, chili, and everything in between you’ll be having a fantastic lunch.

           2)      Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe – with different bays to order at, you have tons of choices at this food court styled eatery. Located in Tomorrowland, this cafe won’t break your wallet with its different selections of chicken, burgers, and other delicious options.

           3)      Columbia Harbor House – tucked away in the Liberty Square section of the Magic Kingdom, this small eatery houses chicken, seafood, and many other dishes. This colonial themed counter service restaurant also updated its menu not too long ago. It now features lobster roll and grilled salmon.

           4)      Pecos Bill Tale Tall Inn & Café –  you can wrassle up some grub at this popular café out on the dusty streets of Frontierland. With the Country Bear Jamboree to its left, you cannot miss this bustling eatery that houses burgers, salads, and some Tex Mex food.

           5)      Be Our Guest – while this was on last Monday’s entry for being a sit down restaurant, it also doubles as a counter service eatery. Offering the same menus as it does for dinner, this Beauty and the Beast themed restaurant lives to serve.

Next is EPCOT where you get to explore a world of flavors and unique dishes.

      6)  Sunshine Seasons Food Fair – feel like eating healthy while you’re on vacation? Then look no further, because this counter service restaurant has just what you’re looking for. Located in the Future World of EPCOT, this place boasts various types of food like chicken, salmon, and many more.

      7) Tangerine Café – this café in the Morocco section of the World Showcase offers huge portions for little price. Specializing in Moroccan food, this eatery has wraps, salads, and filling dishes for any hungry stomach.

      8) Katsura Grill – across from Teppan Edo in the Japan section of the World Showcase, this café offers your typical Japanese dishes. These include different styles of udon (noodles), spring rolls, sushi, and even dessert.

      9) La Cantina de San Angel – hola amigos e amgias! In the mood for Mexican? Then look no further. Right on the lagoon of the World Showcase is this fresh Mexican eatery, offering your traditional Mexican foods of tacos, nachos, burritos, empanadas, and other options.

     10) Yorkshire County Fish Shop – if you’re looking to sample London’s classic snack then is the place for you. This eatery only serves fish and chips, a cookie, and drinks. That’s it. While that may sound like a bad thing, the food here is actually quite tasty, and draws a good crowd. This eatery is found in the United Kingdom section of the World Showcase, right next to the Rose and Crown Pub.

     11) Kringla Bakeri og Café – offering a ton of options of sandwiches and sweets, this little café will warm its way into your heart and stomach. Located in the Norway part of the World Showcase across from Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, this miniature eatery won’t destroy your wallet, and houses some Norwegian classic pastries like lefse and rullekake.


Third, Hollywood Studios where the food is always the main support to your magic filled day.

     12) Starring Rolls Café – near the Hollywood Brown Derby, this miniature eatery offers sushi, sandwiches, and even unique cupcakes. Not only does this café have food to satisfy your stomach but your sweet tooth as well.

     13) ABC Commissary –along Commissary Lane, this food court offers different options to ease your hunger. Here they serve specialties like quinoa, seafood, and even an Asian salad among other dishes. This eatery also shows clips of ABC sponsored shows like Modern Family, America’s Funniest Home Videos, and many others all to entertain you while you eat.

     14) Fairfax Fare – Beneath the shadowy Tower of Terror lies this eatery, themed to look like an outdoor Californian market. Serving up your typical Americana food of burgers, chicken, barbecue dishes, and more, this restaurant offers shade and tons of seats for you to relax in. Unlike other counter service locations, this one also offers breakfast up until lunch time.

    15) Studio Catering Co – lights, camera, food! Dine beneath the shade of this food court styled eatery located right next to Honey I Shrunk the Kids play set. With different choices of sandwiches, wraps, and salads you cannot go wrong at this inexpensive restaurant.

Fourth, Animal Kingdom where your food is wild.

    16) Flame Tree Barbeque – if you feel like getting in touch with your inner dinosaur, then this is the place to do it. Serving up half a pound of ribs for only $10.49, you’ll tear into the food here like a tyrannosaurus rex through a triceratops. Of course this place offers other options like chicken and much more.

     17) Anadapur Yak and Yeti Restaurant – seated in depths of Asia, this food court restaurant offers ethnic foods such as beef lo mein, sweet and sour chicken, and others. For those who aren’t a fan of foreign foods, this eatery also serves sandwiches and salads.

     18)  Restaurantosaurus – if your stomach isn't roaring at the sound of this eatery, then wait til you step inside. In the heart of Dino Land U.S.A., this food court styled restaurant gives you protection from the monstrous sun. Offering various delicious dishes like cheeseburgers (cause who doesn't love a good cheeseburger in the summer time), po’ boys, salads, and many others, this eatery will calm your carnivorous hunger.

    19) Tusker House Restaurant – I was conflicted to put this on last week’s entry or this week’s entry. I decided to put it here because it’s a buffet, where you do sit down but you get your own food – much like you would at a counter service eatery. This food court style restaurant boasts a combination of African and American foods and drinks.  Foreign foods include curry chicken, seafood stirred with tamarind barbecue sauce, and many others. For those who like to stray away from different foods, they have tons of rotisserie meats, salads, and vegetables.

    20) Anywhere with churros – this is not the name of a restaurant, this is just a word to the wise. Churros taste like the wings of angels if they were plucked from the sky, toasted in cinnamon, and given the texture of clouds. If you see a snack vendor selling churros anywhere in the parks (Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and/or EPCOT), do yourself a favor and get one. Maybe two or three if you really enjoy them.

This concludes this week’s entry on counter service throughout the parks. If you have any comments or questions about anything at Walt Disney World, please feel free to comment. If you also have any suggestions of what you would like to see me write, comment as well. Until the next entry, have a magical week. 

Serious and Mysterious

Good evening everyone and welcome to a rather serious, somewhat mysterious entry of The Magical Mystery Blog. I’m pretty sure most of you have heard this story tons of times by now. While it’s gradually fading away like decaying skeleton, it’s left a mark on America, and has raised awareness throughout the nation. Tonight I will be playing Devil’s Advocate for this entry. Sit back, enjoy, and when your done feel free to give feedback or comment.

For the past few months we have been plagued by the George Zimmerman case. This trial has been reported by way of the Internet, television, and other mediums. By now you can probably tell what Zimmerman and Martin look like no sooner you hear their names. For those of you who haven’t kept up on this story or could care less about it, Trayvon Martin was walking home from a store one night to his gated neighborhood home in Florida. While he was doing so, he was talking on his cell phone with his girlfriend. George Zimmerman, the neighborhood watch captain of this community, reported a suspicious hooded figure (Martin) to his head officer. The officer informed Zimmerman to ignore this person but instead, he followed him. Zimmerman eventually caught up with Martin and a supposed fight broke out. In an attempt to defend himself, Zimmerman shot Martin. 

George Zimmerman has had a background of violence. He has had a few relationships often ending due to  domestic abuse, some of his partners went as far to get a restraining order against him. Zimmerman was also arrested, had a failed insurance business, resisted arrest, violence, and battery of an officer, and was withdrawn from college due to his harmful nature. In his young adult years, he lived in a neighborhood in Florida where break ins were supposedly caused by young black men. His surrounding residence and racial profiling led him to believe Martin was a burglar on the night of the shooting.

As for Trayvon Martin, he was a high school student with a bit of a background himself. He was supposedly suspended twice for crimes that should have put him in the slammer. His first suspension was due to him being captured with a burglary tool and women's jewelry. For his second suspension, he was caught with a bag of weed and a marijuana pipe to go with it. There are even sources out there that question if Martin was a drug dealer or not. The night of the murder, Martin was walking home from the store.

This case was the modern day O.J. Simpson in which it was race versus race. George Zimmerman is a Caucasian Hispanic and Trayvon Martin was an African American. The media helped in portraying the trial as a battle of the races, to see which one could dominate the other. Race is currently a touchy issue in our nation and this case helped in sparking an even greater fire of racism. But even so, while America deals with this sensitive matter, why should it help in deciding who wins or loses a trial? Shouldn't evidence do that?

The evidence in this case was a bit unsettling. For starters, the phone call Martin had was between himself and his girlfriend. When the police went to call her, they were unable to because Martin had a password on his phone that no one else knew other than him. Secondly, it was raining the night of the encounter between Martin and Zimmerman. If any blood was shed, it would have been found on both of the bodies, and possibly the surrounding area. Due to the rain though, it could have easily been washed away. Even more so, there was no DNA of Martin found on Zimmerman or his gun which Martin supposedly reached for during the scuffle. 

This case also questions how well the Stand Your Ground Law is and our overall judicial system. While George Zimmerman, a man with a history of violence, was let loose for shooting a teenager, two women who were abused were imprisoned. The first woman fired warning shots at her attacker and was given a sentenced time in prison. The other woman defended herself against a gang who was harassing her and she was also given time in the slammer. Race was not defined in these minor trials and the trials highlighted were not at all. At best they were briefly mentioned when compared to the Zimmerman case. 

Furthermore, Zimmerman did not even use the Stand Your Ground Law in his appeal. If anything, he told his story of what happened that night and did not even mention that law. The women on the other hand, claimed to have used that law when telling their stories of what happened to them. This makes one wonder how the women could have been sentenced to jail time when they clearly used a law that was in their favor. It also questions how a man, who did not even use that law in his story, literally got away with murder.

The media is currently caught in a conflict of how to portray Zimmerman. While it has mostly depicted Martin as an innocent struck down by a maniac with a gun, few sources pictured the teenager as an attacker who ruthlessly struck Zimmerman. As for Zimmerman, he was mostly revealed as a villain throughout the trial while some stations tried to imagine him as a hero for standing up for himself while being attacked. Now we have a new report of Zimmerman being envisioned as a wonderful person for saving a family trapped in a car. This makes one wonder if this new, Superman like image of Zimmerman will wash out the negativity he received during the trial. However, some are claiming that this car rescue was a staged event to help prove he is a good man despite his past actions.

This case has caused a ton of people to stand on different sides because of race, racial profiling, crimes caused by it, and guns. Protesters have risen throughout the nation, claiming the slogan 'Justice for Trayvon' along with other phrases, and images. However, there are those who believe it was right that Martin was shot.

In the midst of the Zimmerman trial, I’m honestly a bit wary of everything. I find it strange that the man, who killed a child and has a background history of violence, was acquitted for murder. But two abused women who were defending themselves and using that law in their defense were sent to jail. I do not believe Martin should have been murdered but he should have been arrested for his previous crimes. As for Zimmerman, I do believe he should have been arrested on both charges of second degree murder and manslaughter.

I also believe race should not determine trial results, the level of justice that you receive, your treatment, or anything at all. Race is a part of who you are, your genes, and your heritage. It’s another trait that defines you as a unique individual. As for myself, I’m an Italian girl who does not treat or judge others by their color or race. Honestly, you could be any nationality and/or any race in the world – it would not matter to me because you are still a person, just like I am.

If you show me kindness, I will give you the same. If you treat me unfairly, I will question why you did so, rise above your harmful antics, and hope that karma will serve its justice in the future. I believe in peace and everyone not judging each other by their color or race despite the fact that I know not all of society is like that. While I was taught to treat others by way of the golden rule (and I believe in that as well), I find karma to be more of my jar of jam. It allows life to take its course and delivers justice in a way it sees fit. It happens unexpectedly, like murder on a rainy night. 

Be Our Guest

Greetings everyone and welcome to another edition of Disney Magic Monday.

As the day grows later, the stomach grows hungrier. One glance at a clock and suddenly it’s supper time. This week I will be tackling the best moderately priced, table service restaurants throughout the parks. I’m only highlighting these in this entry because in the weeks to come I will be featuring the best counter service places and expensive eateries. I also find that more families attend the moderately priced restaurants to not only have a nice night out but to squeeze in a few souvenirs for the trip home. 

Just one more pair of mouse ears....

Reservations are highly recommended for these restaurants so it’s best to make them before you go. Most of these places also accept the Disney Dining Plan so prepare to come on an empty stomach and eat to your heart’s content. 

First up, the Magic Kingdom.

      1)      Tony’s Town Square – on any bella notte, you can have Italian dishes at this restaurant based on the Disney classic, Lady and the Tramp. Located next to the Exposition Hall near the entrance of the Magic Kingdom, I personally recommend the classic lasagna dish for dinner and the Pistachio Crème Brulee for dessert. It sounds strange but it will create stars in your eyes and a place in your heart.

      2)      Be Our Guest – put this new restaurant’s service to the test, believe me everything here is delicious. I've heard gratuitous reviews about this place and based on the appearance and menu I can trust them. However, I was conflicted whether to put this one in the expensive restaurant entry or today’s entry. I put it here because it has moderately priced dishes with the exception of one pricey dish – much like you would find at any other restaurant.

Seated in the New Fantasyland you dine in the Beast’s ballroom, West Wing, or the Rose Gallery with the master roaming around every so often.  This restaurant also doubles as a counter service area during lunch time. While I haven’t dined here yet, I've heard positive notes about the Sauteed Shrimp and scallops.

Second, Downtown Disney. I am including this one because it houses tons of moderately priced, table service restaurants.

      3)      Crossroads at the House of Blues – as a Jersey girl, I've been to Atlantic City’s House of Blues. That seaside version of the famous restaurant is nothing when compared to the one in Downtown Disney. I’m not sure what it is to be honest but the food is amazing and it has become a family tradition to eat here every year. I would always order what I call the Triple Soul Dinner which was a combination of their Margarita Pizza, Sweet Potato fries, and Cornbread with maple syrup. However, since my last visit in 2009 the House of Blues menu has changed just a tiny bit to add some Mexican flare. They now serve quesadillas, tacos, and other traditional dishes. This restaurant is across from Cirque du Soleil La Nouba (also known as the giant white tent) in the West Side of Downtwon Disney.

      4)      Cap’n Jack’s – feel like getting high tonight? You’ll receive a highly enjoyable plate of food and service at this restaurant. Located in the Marketplace on the docks, this is your typical seafood restaurant. Rest assured though they do serve pasta, chicken, and other non-sea based foods. They make a fantastic pina colada (virgin or dirty) and I highly recommend that.

      5)      Bongo’s Cuban Café – this restaurant is for the daring, the adventurous, and the different. Across from Something Silver in the West Side of Downtown Disney, this restaurant also doubles as counter service at lunch. Featuring a vast amount of Cuban foods and a few bars, you’ll be having the time of your vacation. Personally I recommend the arroz con pollo which comes with a side of plantains and saffron yellow rice.

Third, up is Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

      6)      Sci Fi Dine in Theater – you don’t need the DeLorean to go back to the 1950s but you do need reservations. Seated at the end of Commissary Lane near Muppet Vision 3D, you’ll be transported to the 50s by way of old clips, traditional American food, and servers in roller skates. On a large screen, black and white movie trailers, commercials, and cartoons play for your entertainment.  This year they updated their menu while keeping some of their old dishes. Personally I recommend the fried dill pickles and the All American Picnic Burger.

       7)      Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano –  know what’s good? Pizza. Know what’s even better? Brick oven pizza and that’s exactly what you get at Mama Melrose’s. Brick oven pizzas add an overall soft smokiness to the edible disk with a nice crunch. Of course this little restaurant offers other classic Italian dishes at a moderate price. You can find this seemingly small eatery next to the Premiere Theater, just behind Muppet Vision 3D.

Fourth is EPCOT.

      8)      The Coral Reef – this restaurant is a good catch or a sinker but based with my experiences and reviews, it’s usually a good catch. Located in The Seas with Nemo and Friends, you’ll be surrounded by tanks filled to the brim with fish (and possibly your dinner). You’ll feel as though you’re dining in an octopus’ garden with a seafood based menu that has a few non-fish dishes  I personally recommend the coral reef lobster orecchiette pasta. It’ll have you diving under the sea for more.

      9)      Tutto Italia Ristorante – or in English, “All Italian Restaurant”. Originally this restaurant was Alfredo’s Italian Ristorante but it just received a new look and title. The menu appears to be the same from when I went during Alfredo’s era. Located in the Italy section of Epcot’s World Showcase, this restaurant is nothing but Italian dishes. Personally I suggest the cannoli or mocha tiramisu for dessert and the gnochetti for dinner. Mangiate mi amici!

      10)   Teppan Edo – in the mood for fast food for dinner? Watch as a master chef prepares your Japanese dinner before you in this classic hibachi restaurant located in the Japan section of the World Showcase. Very clean cut and sleek, the chefs will stun you with their cooking shows, and delight you with dinner. This menu is unique because it has a little bit of everything, even vegetables for non-meat lovers. As a big fan of meat and chicken though, I highly recommend the Tori dish which is chicken breast with seasonal vegetables, udon noodles, and steamed rice.

      11)   Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room – pull up a chair in this classic English restaurant found in the United Kingdom section of the World Showcase. The food here is nothing but English which can be a bit dull in comparison to other foods but it is quite delectable. Personally I suggest the slow cooked chicken curry which is mix of both English and Indian cultures.  That way you get a bite of something different from two exotic lands.

      12)   Restaurant Marrakesh – dinner and a show can be found at this Moroccan restaurant located in the Moroccan part of the World Showcase. You’ll be treated as royalty when you feast at this lantern lit eatery. The menu here features classic Moroccan dishes and during your meal, you are treated to the divine belly dancers of Restaurant Marrakesh. I highly recommend the chicken kebabs with the combination appetizer for two and the Moroccan symphony for dessert.

Lastly, there’s the Animal Kingdom.

      13)   The Rainforest Café – I put this one here because you can find it in this park and in Downtown Disney. Surrounded by the sounds and sights of the jungle, your menu is as extensive as the Amazon rain forest. The only downside to this place is that it does not accept the Dining Plan but other than that, it’s a terrific eatery. Found in the entrance of Animal Kingdom you cannot miss the welcoming eyes of animals surrounding the classic logo. For a spicy dish, I suggest the Brave New World entree which is smoky chicken with a variety of cheeses and barbecue sauce.

     

We've come to the conclusion of our theme park feasts. Next time you go to Disney, don’t forget to reserve a spot at any of these moderately priced table service restaurants. Once again feedback and followers are welcome. If you want me to highlight any other Walt Disney World related matter, please leave a comment. Until then, all you need is faith, trust, and pixie dust to make your dreams come true. 

Do You Believe in Magic?

Aloha everyone and welcome to this week’s Magical Mystery Blog. This week’s entry is a bit magical and focuses on one of my favorite beach towns of the Garden State. Today’s entry is about a magical perspective of Ocean City, New Jersey.

rivertonhistory.com

When I was a child, I discovered summer magic at Ocean City, NJ. 

Ocean City is a beach town full of summer winds and sea salt kisses. Located in Cape May County, it’s a seaside town that sparks summer magic when the night awakens and turns on the boardwalk’s lights. Since I was a child, my dad would load up the Buick and take us on a day trip to this beach town. I often shared the back seat with an umbrella, a beach bag, and a few foldable chairs. My excitement overwhelmed the space stealing silent passengers. We’d often visit during the most popular times of the year: Spring Break and the summer. These two specific times were the most crowded but I heavily enjoyed them.

Tourists usually flock to this beach town for the uniqueness of the Jersey Shore. I admit there’s some magic in the rides’ lights at dusk and the ferris wheel peaking over the bridge as though welcoming you to Ocean City. It’s what widens the eyes and smiles of children and adults who visit this place and breathe in the salty air. Some people can’t sense the wonder of this boardwalk for reasons I’ll never understand. Yet at the age of twenty two, I still see the mysticism, and have discovered a new type of magic.

Last July was the first time I had shown someone my nostalgic Ocean City and what I received in return was something far from what I expected.  In the summer winds down by the sea, I introduced my boyfriend to my nostalgic grounds. The sun did not burn the boardwalk which made it the perfect day for exploration. Even the humidity wasn't irritating or sweat inducing, like an unneeded layer of clothing.

With every step, he took in the sights as the shops burst before him like kernels of caramel popcorn. Each shop advertised some specialty like the best smoothie or henna art which drew curious eyes to their storefronts. However, the refreshing idea of Dippin Dots attracted our sun kissed bodies. The cooling sensation of frozen ice cream turned our gums to ice and numbed our brains. It was perfect for a day like this.

After spending a few hours at Jilly’s Arcade and Three Brothers’ Pizza, we strolled down the boardwalk. The smells of Johnson’s caramel popcorn and funnel cake give our senses a brief vacation. Breathing in the nostalgia, I had hoped he would enjoy this place as much as I did. From how it appeared he seemed to like it, but I could have been fooled by his smile.

When the twilight emerged, the lights of the boardwalk slowly came on. One by one they illuminated the wooden planks and revealed a new side to Ocean City. The warm wind was replaced by a cool breeze that came and left every so often like a passerby in the shadows. Even the sea grew darker with the setting sun. The carnival music seemed to grow louder as the groups of tourists, locals, and visitors combined and grew rapidly.

By nightfall Ocean City had transformed into a new world that often captivated me as a child. The dazzling lights made the store fronts shimmer like diamond constructed houses. In the distance, Gillian’s and Playland’s ferris wheels popped with color and pierced the sky with their luminescence.  The tinkling organ music of carousels seemed to harmonize and spark the inner child. Sounds of joyful screams and cheers rose from the glowing amusement parks.

The moon danced above the ocean as my boyfriend and I walked side by side on the sand. The waves seemed to slow time and overwhelm the scent of chocolate covered bacon. Sea foam caressed my bare toes as the sand massaged my soles, gradually pulling them into the world below. While this calmed me some, I couldn't help but to wonder what was on my boyfriend’s mind.

“So, what do you think,” I asked, anxiety jiggling my vocal chords.

 “I like it,” content filled his voice which eased my nervousness, as well as a moonlight kiss.

“I've never been here before and I definitely like it.”

That was all I needed. I could be at ease now, knowing that someone I had grown close to enjoyed my nostalgic seaside town.

“I missed the magic of summer and there’s just somethin bout this place. The lights go on, everything’s all color and light, there’s just something magical about it.”

That made my night even better and even shocked me a bit. I did not expect him to see the magic I could and understand the beauty of this beach town. No sooner those words left his mouth, my heart turned into a thousand super novas. Each one exploding with elation and enjoyment, knowing that he could understand why I loved this place so much. It was my second home, my home away from home, my home by the sea.  

Then it appeared before me like the moon. There was another magic in the air that had been given life by his words. It was the magic of love. It was the ignition that made my heart burn for him more than what it already had. How he could understand the magic of summer and the mysticism of Ocean City meant everything to me and made me love him more than what I already did.

Leaving that night with wind tousled hair and a bag of Shriver’s treats, I held my boyfriend's hand as he drove.  With the dancing lights of ferris wheels behind us, we knew we would return to Ocean City. There was summer magic to be experienced on that boardwalk with every smile, every heartbeat, and every kiss. 

Just Keep Swimmin

Hello everyone, get ready to get pumped in this week’s Disney Magic Monday entry!

For the past few weeks, I have discussed the mystical Walt Disney World theme park. I have touched upon helpful tips, renovations, and Fastpasses for those monstrous mobs of ride lines. Today, I will be talking about one topic that has not surfaced: The water parks.

Walt Disney World has two large water parks, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. Both of which you have to purchase a separate ticket for called Water Park, Fun, and More. This ticket costs $53.00 and will allow you to get into the water parks more than once. It’s basically a Park Hopper but for Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. They are not considered part of the Park Hopper option because that only covers theme parks, not water parks.

Blizzard Beach is the result of a freak snow storm being melted by the blazing Floridian sun and Typhoon Lagoon is a surfer’s paradise struck by a hurricane. Originally there was a third water park called River Country which was themed to look like an old swimming hole that Huckleberry Finn would visit.  It closed in 2002 and was rumored to re-open if there was enough public demand. However, the public did not respond to this condition which made River Country shut down permanently.   

River Country was not only the first water park at Disney World but it was often featured in old Disney programs like The Mickey Mouse Club and Camp Out at Walt Disney World. Personally I remember seeing it in the Camp Out at Walt Disney World   VHS which is probably in my attic right now. Back then I wanted to visit River Country in hopes of joining Goofy water skiing and slipping down the slides.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adVPIB5mKEQ

To this day, River Country is abandoned and lurking somewhere on Disney’s property. As for the other two water parks, they are up and running throughout the year except for the winter. These parks are mostly visited throughout the summer due to the intense Floridian weather.  However, despite these two water parks’ different themes, it is a matter of which one is worth the Water Park, Fun, and More ticket. Given the weather and time they are staying, most people tend to go to the theme parks, and one water park. Some go to both water parks if the heat is ungodly and if they have enough time.

Below are a few comparisons between Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon to help you decide which water park is better:

          1)      RIDES – both of these parks have tons of water slides, a children’s play area (with even more slides), a wave pool, and a lazy river. From how it appears, they are almost designed in the same fashion but given a different color scheme and name. To fit their melted ski resort theme, Blizzard Beach also has a chairlift which takes you above the bustling bikini and board short clad crowd. Its final destination is Summit Plummet, Slush Gusher, and Teamboat Springs. Summit Plummet also happens to be the nation’s tallest water slide.

The Black Diamond Slope of Blizzard Beach.

At the highest point of Blizzard Beach, this wintry monster of a slide sends you down on your back at a 120 foot slope (12 stories). Shooting through a dark tunnel you feel the water on your back, only to emerge from the darkness and see your final speed as you come to a watery halt. The chairlift and Summit Plummet are not replicated at Typhoon Lagoon because it would clash with the surfer’s paradise theme. However, Typhoon Lagoon boasts the world’s largest outdoor wave pool.

          2)      FOOD – at some point during the day, one needs to get off the slides and satisfy the stomach. Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach offer fast food like burgers, salads, hot dogs, sandwiches, pizza, fries, chicken tenders, and other quick meals. All of these snacks are cheap ($15 and under) and also include theme park specialties like Hurricane Rum Amber and Garbage Pail sundae at Typhoon Lagoon and the Blizzard Dog (or Tropic Dog) and unique doughnuts at Blizzard Beach. Both parks also serve alcohol and refillable souvenir cups in some eateries.  Some places in Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach accept the Disney Dining Plan. 

           3)      OTHER ACTIVITIES – Typhoon Lagoon offers other events that do not require a tube, patience, or your back. To accompany their surfer’s paradise theme, Typhoon Lagoon has a totally righteous event called Teenage Beach Movie: Beach Party. Throughout the day, remixes of classic music are blasted on the beach with tons of fun things to do like a radical dance contest, hula hooping, and more. But for those who find beach party activities boring, there are a few more daring events that can be done. Deep in Typhoon Lagoon, lies a coral reef infested with sharks ready to make your aquatic acquaintance.  For no extra cost and no certification, you can snorkel with nurse and bonnethead sharks along with stingrays and blue tangs.

Blue tangs just like Dory. That's right, you get to swim with Dory. Don't forget to swim, swim, swim.

       
Typhoon Lagoon also gives surfing lessons on select days before the water park opens. To take part in learning how to hang ten on the nose, you must make reservations before your trip because the lessons tend to fill up quickly. They only take twelve people per session.

Sadly, Blizzard Beach does not offer any other activities.

         4)      CROWDS  - Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach have their fair share of crowds, especially during the summer. Though I would have to say after twelve years of Disney water park experience (during my last year I did not go to either water park because of nonexistent rain), Typhoon Lagoon is the most popular. There’s something about the nautical surfer theme that the crowd can relate to. It reminds them of summer on the beach with sea salt in the wind or the Beach Boys’ hit, "Kokomo". 

Hotstays.com
Well at least you're six and a half hours from Kokomo, let alone Key Largo....

          5)      EXPLORATION  - Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach nearly have the same amount of things to do. While it takes more than one day to explore the theme parks, the water parks are different. You can usually see and do everything in one day, regardless of what water park you visit. The best times are to visit are when the park opens and when it’s almost time to close. Throughout the day. both water parks are immensely crowded. However, the first few days of the week are not that packed. Both parks also have extra magic hours so you can squeeze in a few more water slides before going to your next destination.

Between these two parks, Typhoon Lagoon is my all time favorite because it was the first water park I ever went to. However, as I grew older I began to favor Blizzard Beach due to its theme and their endless playlist of Christmas music. But after twelve years at these water parks, I would have to say Typhoon Lagoon is still my favorite for the narly nostalgia, the righteous theme, and their excellent relaxing area.

If you want to know any other Walt Disney World aspects or information on the other parks, feel free to comment. Also, don’t forget to follow my blog for more Disney Magic Mondays and Friday entries. Until then, stay cool. 

A Whole New World

Greetings everyone and welcome to another installation of Disney Magic Monday here at The Magical Mystery Blog.

With time comes change and a desire for something new, improved, and fantastic. Out with the old and in with the new and for Disney, this is no exception. Disney likes to keep up with the changing times to satisfy its massive population. Below are a few renovations you might not know of that show that Disney is magically changing.

           1)      New Fantasyland – this is the biggest renovation which opened on December 6^th, 2012.  This new location dominates the eastern half of the Magic Kingdom and is based on the Disney princesses. Towering over the rest of the park is Beast’s Castle where the Be Our Guest character dining restaurant presides. This castle also serves as a staple to show the Belle section of the New Fantasyland which includes a meet and greet opportunity with her. I find that there are more eateries when it comes to this new Beauty and the Beast section. Along with Be Our Guest, there are two fast food places, and a tavern.

Oh and also Gaston. Cause no one forgets Gaston!

Next to this is Ariel’s area with her new ride, Journey of the Little Mermaid, and her grotto. While there isn’t much of her, I hope there will be more of Ariel in the future. By next year (or 2015 at the latest), the new Snow White Mine Dwarf coaster will be in full operation, and replace the Snow White’s Scary Adventures ride.  It will be located in the heart of the New Fantasyland and be just like Big Thunder Mt. only with ‘It’s Off to Work We Go’ blasting at every twist and turn. 

However, there are traces of New Fantasyland escalating in the original Fantasyland.  Just behind the castle is another area in construction entitled the Princess Fantasy Hall.  By late 2013, this section will be opened up to the public where thousands can meet Disney princesses such as Cinderella, Aurora, Jasmine, and Snow White. The only downside to this new character meet and greet is that they had to tear down Snow White’s Scary Adventures. Towards the end of original Fantasyland, just before Liberty Square, visitors are introduced to another new aspect of New Fantasyland. Looming over the Haunted Mansion in all its royal glory is Rapunzel’s tower. The area below houses restrooms and a comfortable relaxing area for those who have walked throughout the Magic Kingdom.

          2)      Dumbo – believe it or not, this is the one of the most popular rides in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.  There’s something nostalgic and magical about taking flight on an elephant that children and parents adore. Over the years, this ride has had extremely crowded lines with a usual wait time of 30 – 75 minutes or more (unless you have a Fastpass).  After realizing that having people wait so long for a simple ride, Disney decided to do something about it. In March 2013, the Magic Kingdom opened The Storybook Circus as a part of their new Fantasyland. This particular section features not one but two Dumbo rides, the Barnstormer roller coaster (originally found in Toon Town but they moved it here), a character meet and greet, an indoor playground, and a miniature water play area.

Along with this new area, Disney also created a new way to board the Dumbo ride. As opposed to standing around and waiting for the line to gradually decline, ride operators now hand out pagers. The pagers flash and vibrate when the next ride is ready for boarding. While parents and children wait for the next available seats on Dumbo, they can relax in the large queue room. That’s right, you don’t have to wait under a canopy anymore. Instead you get to hang out in an air conditioned room themed to look like the big top circus from the Dumbo film. The only downside to this new renovation is that they had to eliminate Toon Town just to build it. 

          3)      Downtown Disney – while this renovation has not been completed yet, it is currently happening as we speak. In 2016, Imagineers are hoping to finish the new Downtown Disney or as it will soon be called, Disney Springs. The Downtown Disney we have all come to know and love, will be replaced by a Southern, Spanish atmosphere. The buildings will be redesigned to fit a Southern celebration theme with architecture similar to the Coronado Springs Disney resort.
 

      Disney Springs will also have separated sections, one for the overall marketplace (yes most of the stores will still be there including the Lego Shop and Once Upon a Toy), one for dining, and one for something else. Disney Springs was initially supposed to be the makeover of Pleasure Island but the Imagineers decided to take it a step further. Pleasure Island, I believe will also be a part of the renovation. 

           4)      Big Thunder Mt. Railroad – the ride itself did not receive a renovation. However, the queue line did. Since this is a popular coaster of the Magic Kingdom, the lines tend to be crowded. Sometimes the ride can even boast a 45 minute wait. People, especially children, tend to get antsy waiting in line for so long. In an attempt to remedy this, Disney added an interactive queue line which also added a story to the overall ride itself. Unlike EuroDisney where their Big Thunder Mt. story ties in with Phantom Manor’s, the Walt Disney World Big Thunder Mt. has a story all its own. Big Thunder Mt. was once a mining company owned by billionaire, Barnabas T. Bullion.

In his spare time, Mr. Bullion tried to make bouillon cubes out of bullion gold.  

       
As you make your way towards the ride, you venture through Barnabas’ office, tour through an explosives magazine room, and even get to help some of the miners out with their duties. You get to take part in mining activity by setting off some dynamite and even watching miners mine for gold through a subterrascope. This renovated line was completed this year and is in full operation.

          5)      Test Track – as mentioned in last week’s Disney Magic Monday entry, Test Track is a popular ride at EPCOT. On December 6^th, 2012 this Chevrolet sponsored ride was given a new, futuristic look.

You could say it's so futuristic it looks like Tron.

Now you can customize your own car and drive it through the test course. You decide what your car looks like, how it runs, how quick it responds to your command, and how much gas it saves by going green. The entire design phase is all done on a touch screen which gives you a whole new way of creating a car. Once you’re finished crafting your ride, you climb into a test car, and throughout the test run see how well your car does. When the ride is over, a screen will appear and show you how your car did. 

If there’s any information about any Disney Park (Disney World included) you would like to know about, feel free to comment, and I’d be more than happy to respond. Until then, have a little faith, trust, and pixie dust. 

I Never Had a S'more.

Happy belated Fourth of July everyone!

I can imagine most of you this weekend are grilling it up, boozing it up, and taking part in other summer fun activities.  At barbecues, you have the usual food of hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs, corn, pork chops, and other delicious delights.  As for dessert, most of you may stick to the popsicles or ice cream. However, some may venture to create and indulge in a dessert I had only ever tasted this summer: a s’more.

Twenty two years old and I just had my first s’more this summer. Most of you who have had a s’more when you were a child, might find this awkward, and even strange. I believe the same thing.

You see, I was brought up in an Italian family where pasta was our main dietary staple (next to fish but after watching The Little Mermaid at a young age, I decided to never eat any seafood for the rest of my life). In this Italia household, we never had such delicacies as s’mores. We had desserts like biscotti, tiramisu, rum cake, and tons of other treats to clog your arteries.

WARNING: Even looking at it will cause your arteries to swell.

This is not to say I hated my Italian sweets (except biscotti which to me is dry bread). Honestly, I loved them but they could not compare to the deliciousness the television showed me. Every time a Hershey’s summer commercial came on, time slowed, and revealed a glorious new world. This unknown planet included teenagers laughing and prancing around a bonfire on the beach and eating those warm, gooey sugar rushes. Alongside wanting to be a writer, a model, an astronaut, and a ballerina, I wanted to fit in with that s’mores lovin crowd.

Of course, I tried to get my parents to make me a s’more. To this day, I’ll never understand why they didn't. I don’t know if it was anti-s’mores aliens persuading them not to or the fact that s’mores are not an Italian dessert.  So, naturally, I attempted to see what a s’more tasted like by buying s’mores flavored foods. Pop tarts, candies, bars, nothing compared to what the television depicted, and I feared my s’mores-sweet tooth would never be satisfied.

Years had passed and every time I told someone I never had a smores, I was always met with the same reactions: Are you crazy!? What’s wrong with you?! Why!? Who are you!? Why are you in my house!?

I had gotten used to the responses and even my boyfriends asked the same questions. Eventually my quest for s’mores had been buried beneath the responsibilities of work, the expectations of college, and life in general.  It wasn't until the start of this past June that my s’mores sweet tooth reared its sugar coated crown and rejuvenated my want for the treat.

Thankfully, my boyfriend had planned a barbecue dinner, and while shopping for the ingredients, I suggested the idea of s’mores. He happily agreed we should make some because I never had one before and it had been a while since he had one. 

After a simple barbecue dinner of hot dogs and pork chops, the preparation of s’mores commenced. Goosebumps rose up my arms despite the warmth of the charcoal as we roasted our marshmallows. The lifelong childhood desires were slowly being fulfilled with every passing second. The puffy cloud on the silver skewer began to brown, wisps of smoke arising from the circular tip. It was time.

Sliding the toasted fluff between a stick of chocolate and two graham crackers, the anticipation neared its peak. Pressing down on the crackers, the marshmallow spilled out onto the sides. The heat traveled through the toasted fluff and pushed against the crackers, tearing through the chocolate stick. Without hesitation, I took the treat between my hands, and bit into it like a starved man left to die in the Sahara Desert.

Never had I bitten into something so simply delicious.

Behold the ultimate dessert! Gaze upon it as you drool with wonder and hunger!

An explosion of euphoria tumbled onto my mouth, releasing a smoky sweetness that soothed my sweet tooth. The heat from the charcoal swirled about the treat and coated my cheeks in a pleasant warmth.  The cracker crumbled beneath the trampling of my teeth as the chocolate slipped in. The harmony of marshmallow, graham cracker, and chocolate created a symphony of deliciousness in my mouth. Each bite released another note of flavor that I adored and enticed me to continue eating.

With every bite, I sadly watched my childhood desire fade but at the same time, I greatly enjoyed it. My s’more sweet tooth was calmed with the final bite, as a summer time smile crept across my face. At last my s’more quest had come to an end and even though there was no beach or bonfire, I couldn't have been happier.

To those who have had a s'more as a child, treasure that moment and continue to devour s'mores whenever they are present. For there may be those who have never had a s'more like me and are still choking back artificial s'more flavored treats. If you know someone who is s'more deprived, teach them how to make this little treat or make one for them. Their smile will be the best reward you can ever obtain. 

To Infinity and Beyond!

Once again it is Disney Magic Mondays here at The Magical Mystery Blog.

Last week I brought up Fastpasses in my top 5 general tips for travelling to Walt Disney World. Today, I will be highlighting rides that you should DEFINITELY get a Fastpass for. Some parks will have more rides than others because they’re larger and/or contain more rides.

First up, The Magic Kingdom – a land of western wilderness, exotic beauty, whimsical fantasies, and the unpredictable future.

     1)      Peter Pan’s Flight – this actually surprised me when I went to Disney World. For the first three years, I could not get on this ride due to the monstrous crowds. To be honest, I’m not sure why this one was so packed. Other rides like it, Snow White’s Scary Adventures and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh weren't that crowded. At best, they had a 30 minute wait which isn't that bad. Peter Pan’s Flight is a retelling of the Disney classic where you ride in a flying pirate ship. It’s mostly designed for children and nostalgic adults and is located in the Fantasyland part of the Magic Kingdom. There’s nothing scary about it, other than the fact you’re dangling from a bicycle chain.

      2)      Big Thunder Mt. – this is the wildest coaster in the Frontierland section of the Magic Kingdom. You hop on a runaway train that takes you through an abandoned gold mine. Word to the wise: do NOT wear anything on your head for this roller coaster; it will fall off. Like any other coaster it will have its unexpected drops and turns which could scare some children. There are no flips on this Western inspired ride and it even has a ton of interactive gadgets to play with while waiting in line. 

      3)      Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin – are you ready to defeat the Evil Emperor Zurg? Now’s the time! Not only is it designed for kids who adore Woody’s best friend but for video gamers as well. Board a mini-space craft that takes you deep into space to fight off the Evil Emperor Zurg with laser guns. The more targets you shoot, the higher your score and ranking gets.  This shoot ‘em up ride is situated in Tomorrowland, right next to the Carousel of Progress (a ride which is dull as a bag of bricks).

      4)      Space Mountain – 3,2,1 blast off from Tomorrowland and into the cosmos! Each section of the space ship craft houses three people. This coaster may terrify kids because it’s completely shadowed in the darkness. It also has loud noises like your ship taking off, various cosmic noises, and other sounds that may irk them. Like any other coaster, it too has its sudden drops, twists, and turns throughout the galaxy but it’s a classic Disney ride. 

      5)      Splash Mountain – hang onto your ear hats, you’re going down the Briar Patch! Anyone remember the Disney flick Song of the South from 1946? Well, that’s basically what this ride is centered around. Board a log and follow Br’er Rabbit escape the clutches of Br’er Bear and Br’er Fox only to wind up in the thorny Briar Patch. Word to the wise: You WILL get wet on this ride but it’s a matter of where you sit depends how drenched you’ll be. The first two rows usually get soaked, the third row gets somewhat wet, and the back row doesn’t get that drenched.  There are a few miniature drops leading up to the fifty two foot drop.

Next up, The Animal Kingdom – a distant, foreign land of beasts and mystery.

      

      6)      Expedition Everest -  journey into the Himalayan mountains to discover the ferocious Yeti and escape his savage wrath. No sooner this ride opened up, lines were flooded with crowds wanting to experience the ride’s unexpected backward plunge, changing tracks, drastic drops, heavy attention to detail, and one smooth as ice animatronic. This ride only ventures briefly into the dark which shouldn't scare children too much, other than the sudden encounter with the Yeti.

      7)      Kali River Rapids – this one is especially crowded during the summer because it’s a wet ride and people use it to cool off. You jump into a large raft, pile all your belongings in the middle storage circle, and hold on for a rough and tough ride through the rain forest. There are drops, turns, and elephants spouting water from their trunks. It’s a fun family ride that WILL get you wet but that greatly helps with the summer heat.

      8)      Dinosaur – rawr means danger in dinosaur and on this ride, danger is no exception. With every jolt of your jeep and every twist and turn, you’ll stumble upon various prehistoric creatures. Escape from the vicious jaws of a tyrannosaurus rex and survive the last day of the dinosaurs. This ride is also in the dark with flashes of light from meteors and spotlights focusing on numerous beasts. These effects may scare children so it's best to ride with them.

Now onto Hollywood (MGM) Studios – a movie town filled with films of yesteryear and modern times.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHkPMA-axjA (This is where my Google decided to lag on me but I assure you this is an epic commercial for a ride).

      9)      The Twilight Zone’s Tower of Terror – imagine boarding an elevator shaft, your next stop the Twilight Zone. Explore the cursed Hotel Bates and discover what happened on a tragic stormy night back in 1939 Encased in the darkness, you climb multiple floors before dropping from the highest level of 170 ft into the shadows below. This ride lives up to its slogan of, “Never the same fear twice” because every time you board it, it’s a different riding experience. You may drop seven times one time and five another. As for myself, I usually lose count when I start screaming. I recommend going on this with children because this ride is completely in the dark and the only thing protecting them is a seat belt.

      10)   Aerosmith’s Rockin Roller Coaster - walk this way onto a rockin coaster, baby! Climb into this stretch limo and speed through Los Angeles to catch an Aerosmith coaster. With Aerosmith tunes blasting in your ears you'll flip, dive, and turn while clinging to your harness. This ride is completely in the dark with flashes of scenery, leading up to a red carpet that you walk out onto, just in time for a brief glimpse of an Aerosmith concert. 

      11)   Toy Story Midway Mania – join Buzz Lightyear, Woody, and friends throughout this carnival themed ride. Board a vehicle for four and shoot your way through 3D midway based games like darts, ring toss, and tons of others. The more you hit, the higher your score gets, and determines what “prize” you win from the ride.

Lastly, EPCOT : The Experimental Prototype Community (or City) Of Tomorrow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MIS4S5FJMs (The last Youtube video of the night.)

    12)   Mission : SPACE – ever wanted to be an astronaut growing up but never followed through with it? Here’s your chance to fulfill that dream. Climb into a space ship with five others and journey to Mars. In this ride, you will take on various roles as you explore the red planet. You will feel the anti-gravity as you jump from rock to rock, the upward aerial charge from the lift off, the four gs stretching your face and freezing your hands, and the many sounds that come with it all. This is a pretty intense ride, so much so that when it debuted many were sick or suffering from whiplash. Nowadays, people may receive the same results from riding this but not many. 

      13)   Soarin – hang gliding over California can be a beautiful experience. Doing it under a roof can be a bit challenging but not at Walt Disney World. In the Land Pavilion of EPCOT, lies a flight simulator ride that takes you over California and allows you to experience everything wonderful about it. Raising you only fifteen to thirty feet off the ground, you’ll be gently pushed by the wind over the sea, above the orange groves, and into the sky. You’ll be taken by wonder over, sideways, and under on this ride. The only scary thing about it is the sudden upward motion when your hang glider takes off. It only lasts for a few seconds but other than that, it’s a relaxing flight of fantasy.

      14)   Test Track – just updated for your driving pleasure, this ride allows you to drive a car without any insurance. In this ride you are the crash test dummies to your own customizable car which takes you through a Tronesque test track to see how your vehicle would hold up through bumps, oncoming trucks, and other obstacles. While this ride is in the dark, it has plenty of light to see what’s going on so there’s no need for fear.

Based on my experiences, these rides are the most crowded. Get a Fastpass for the ones you really want to go on, which is a bit of a hard selection as seeing these are fantastic rides. Each ride has a unique experience that you will never forget, even when your Disney days are over.