Parade time!

Animal Kingdom offers a parade that is a little bit different than other parades. The detail of the parade floats is amazing and the colors are vibrant and exciting. This parade is for sure not ordinary and runs daily at 3:45. I'd suggest taking time to experience this one of a kind parade.

*More than 75 million Cokes are consumed each year at Walt Disney World Resort along with 13 million bottles of water. Guests also gobble 10 million hamburgers, 6 million hot dogs, 9 million pounds of French fries and more than 300,000 pounds of popcorn. *

That’s a LOT of food. Heres a fun Sara fact: the idea of 75 million cokes is something I could enjoy sweet syrupy dreams about for the rest of my life. Working with the teens in our youth group, we used to call soda the “sweet nectar of Jesus”. Did you know that at all resorts on property you can purchase a refillable mug at the food court and enjoy unlimited non-alcoholic drinks from your resort? This mug also comes free with any dining package in 2012. CHECK THIS OUT to learn more about the 2012 dining plan offerings.

What is your favorite part of the dining plan?

Running.

I’m not a runner. I desire to be, and have even tried to convince myself that I am. My philosophy all along has been “only run if being chased”. Then I heard about the Disney Princess half marathon, and I was hooked.

2 years later, I’m still hooked on the idea. The half marathon has made my bucket list, but I’m no closer to running it that I was before. I am by book standards pretty close to an expert though. I love to research, so I know what to eat, what to wear and how to prepare for the big race. I know what to pack, and what things I really don’t need. I’ve just never worked up the endurance to run the race. On my next Disney trip, I’m going to get out and try a few of the trails, in hopes that it will motivate me to become the runner I desire to be.

Disney makes it easy with running trails at almost every resort. Many of the running trails connect to other resorts, so you even get changing scenery. I imagine these trails to all be exciting and scenic, because Disney pays such careful attention to detail. If you’re interested in the trails at the resorts, or the available races, Disney Running is a great resource. Some of their information is a little outdated, but the maps are really great. Another great site is one of my favorites overall; ALL EARS provides detailed information about the trails. Of course, you can always just ask at guest relations when you check in, and they will provide you with a trail map.

I look forward to running my first Disney race, because, like everything else, I’m sure they will make it an amazing experience. I’d love to hear stories of people who have done a Disney race, and other hopefuls as well. Remember, we’re in this together.

Main street bakery

I love breakfast at the Main Street bakery. This giant Cinnamon roll and iced coffee was 2 snack credits. That’s a great way to start the day! I took this picture to send to my co-workers back home because they LOVE pictures of food. They texted me throughout the week, because I wasn't very good at remembering to take the food pictures I had promised.

*With millions of visitors annually, it’s no wonder the Disney parks are among the most photographed places in the United States. 4% of all amateur photographs worldwide are taken between Disney world and Disneyland each year. On any given day, Disney’s PhotoPass photographers take between 100,000 and 200,000 photos of guests at Walt Disney World Resort. *

The PhotoPass service allows guests to view, share and order their Disney photos online and create Disney products such as PhotoBooks and mugs. Photopass photographers will also use your own camera if you ask! It’s a great way to get family shots, and make special memories. Photopass is free in the park, you only pay for items you purchase, and pictures are available for viewing for up to 30 days after your vacation. You can also add borders and other embellishments to photos prior to ordering, and even upload your own photos. I LOVE THIS SERVICE!!

We’ve done it a few times, and have always been pleased with the results. You can receive discounts on this amazing service by pre-ordering before your trip by checking out this link. If you decide not to purchase, Disney will either hold the credit for you, or refund your money.

Do you have any stories about your Photopass experience or questions about what other features you get with this service?

The Japan Pavilion, and the art of candy making

I used to walk through the World showcase if I were looking for a place to eat or seeking out a specific character.  Only recently have I started actually exploring all of the things that the World Showcase has to offer.  
The Japan Pavilion is one of the original countries to open in the World Showcase.  It offers 3 different dining options, a department store size shopping area, and a Pagoda that if the focal point of the Pavilion.  It the store, you can harvest a pearl, which is a really cool thing to do.  They also offer several jewelry settings for your pearl, and helps transform a Japanese trade into a magical memory. 

One of the coolest things about this pavilion is the candy artists that do demonstrations throughout the day.  You can see Miyuki, the only female artist out of the 14-15 various artists that work in the Pavilion.  If you check out this week's Magical Monday, you can see her in action!

The Japanese art of candy making goes back over 250 years.  The artists create animals, flowers and other designs from the hot soft rice dough that hardens as it cools.  They use scissors and tweezers to mold and shape the dough.  It's awesome to watch, and I found myself mesmerized by the details of the final product.  If you get a chance the next time you're at Epcot, take some time to really explore Japan.  You won't be disappointed. 

Candy Making

Candy making demonstrations occur throughout the day at the Japan Pavilion. We enjoyed lunch at Yakatori House and then watched this candy artist sculpt several different creations. This is only one of many different experiences in the world showcase.

To learn a little more about the Japan Pavilion at Epcot, check back Wednesday! Have a great week!

*If you were to wash and dry one load of laundry every day for 52 years, you’d clean as much as the folks at Walt Disney World Laundry do in a single day. The cast members there launder an average of 285,000 pounds each day. In addition, between 30,000 and 32,000 garments are dry-cleaned daily.*

I don’t know about you, but Scott and I both work. Full time. The very thought of this much laundry makes me want to cry. I mean, seriously, 285,000 POUNDS of laundry. Not only is that a lot of sheets and towels, but it is also a lot of water. Disney is always working to increase their conservation efforts. Here’s a link to learn a little more about what Disney is doing to keep their sheets clean and minimize their water use. CHECK IT OUT!

What are some ways you can minimize your water use when visiting the happiest place on earth?

Chef Mickey's -the legend vs. the reality

On every trip, I dreamed of eating at Chef Mickey's and for whatever reason, we never did.  Located on the fourth floor of the Contemporary Resort, you can even see the monorail overhead from certain areas in the restaurant.  In addition to that, you also get to meet the Fab 5--Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto. On the trip for our daughter's second birthday, I wasn't about to let her miss out (and I was finally going to get my chance).

So, we arrive, check in, and get our picture in front of the Chef Mickey plate.  We are seated in a section that doesn't allow us a view of the monorail zipping through.  I won't let this disappoint me, and we take turns getting food and hanging out with Ruby.  The restaurant is full, and a little noisy. The theme of the restaurant has some great Mickey Pop Art. I love Mickey Pop Art, my parents just want to eat, and not talk about the decorations.  This meal is not turning out quite the way I had hoped.  The food is on par with other buffets around property.  No one had any complaints, but nothing stuck out as spectacular.  Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Pluto all make their way past the table.  Minnie takes extra time as Ruby is opening gifts, and Ruby wants to show her the present.  After we finish eating, and we all have an ice cream sundae, a cupcake arrives (see Monday's Magical Memory) and Ruby is thrilled all over again.

Overall, the experience was less than I expected.  I think Chef Mickey's is one of those places that everyone MUST experience, because you want to say you've done it, and it does provide a nice character experience with the Fab 5.  I had heard rave reviews about Chef Mickey's and while I was not disappointed, I also didn't add it to our "must do's".  It's nice to be able to meet all the characters while you're eating and not have to wait in line at the parks.  Of course, Ruby LOVED spending time with the characters, so we stood in the lines anyway.

A birthday Celebration!

We celebrated Ruby’s second birthday at Chef Mickey’s. I’m pretty sure she was more excited about the confetti candy around the cupcake than the cupcake itself.