While we were at Disney, Space Shuttle Discovery launched into the sky over Florida on February 24. Unfortunately, there was too much cloud cover to see.
We really had hoped to see the shuttle launch from Disney along with about 2 dozen other folks who had gathered just outside the Riverside Mill food court at Disney's Port Orleans Riverside resort. We had our iPad with us and watched the live streaming broadcast of the launch instead from the NASA website. The launch was running a few minutes behind schedule. Four minutes after launch, the crowd dispersed realizing we had missed it.
We've watched the shuttle launch from our backyard many, many times (about 10 miles from Disney). For daytime launches, we just get to see the contrail, but night launches provide an amazing orange glow.
I guess we'll just have to wait until the shuttle returns for the last shuttle experience - the sonic boom. We've only heard one really loud sonic boom (it woke us out of bed early one morning). It's a scary noise if you're not prepared. Whether or not we hear it depends on a variety of factors... starting with landing back in Florida!
We celebrated Mardi Gras 2011 at Disney just a little early by enjoying beignets at the Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory at Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter resort. Wow... that was a mouthful (I'm talking about the food court name, but the beignets were too).
Many people describe Beignets as somewhat of a donut. They're dough, they're fried, they're covered with sugar - LOTS of sugar. But that's the end of the similarities. If you're looking for a donut replacement, this really isn't it. I wouldn't even say it is similar to funnel cakes. I would say, though, they are worth a try. I mean, you're on vacation at Disney - treat yourself!
The beignets at Disney's Port Orleans are hand-formed and fried at the the time of order. Because of this, they are very hot - so be very careful with that first bite. The "pillows" of dough are filled with hot air. One bite lets out enough steam to give you a mini facial.
Next piece of advice... spread out the napkins. The powdered sugar goes everywhere. I bet the Disney cast members at this resort clean up more sugar than any other dining location.
I highly recommend creating your own Fat Tuesday celebration at Disney's Port Orleans. Just don't forget the napkins...
I learned something new at Disney's Pop Century today. I already knew that at about 6:00 pm the food court becomes a disco and for a few minutes guests are going back to the 1970's to dance The Hustle. Today, however, I learned that at the same time they also dance The Hustle in the hotel lobby. Several cast members from the front desk performed for guests just checking-in for their Disney vacation.
We spent several hours at Pop Century today taking in the over-sized scenery and enjoying conversation in the Everything Pop Shopping and Food Court. Today we shared a personal pepperoni pizza - hot and fresh from the oven. In fact, that's the reason we ordered it.
Often we see the pizzas sitting in the window waiting to be served. We're never sure how long they've been lingering so we're also a little reluctant to order one (we've had our fair share of not-so-hot pizzas). I'm so glad I spotted these being pulled from the oven. It was piping hot and a perfect treat to share.
The personal pizzas at Disney restaurants are thick-crusted (think a mini pan pizza) that are baked providing a chewy and hearty dough. If you can catch one warm from the oven, these are filling and worth every bite.
I admit it. I'm a rib girl. And believe it or not one of my favorite places to get ribs is the Flame Tree Barbecue counter service restaurant at Disney's Animal Kingdom. So... I was thrilled when my husband suggested that he treat me to ribs for a Valentine's Day lunch. I'm all recovered from last week's cold and this is our make-up visit to Disney.
Now I know what you must be thinking. But get this - my husband honestly doesn't like ribs (he ordered the barbecue chicken salad) so this truly was a special and thoughtful gift for me and not for himself.
The ribs served at Flame Tree Barbecue are a half-slab of St. Louis Ribs. The plate comes with coleslaw and baked beans. When I first fell in love with these ribs, they were served with a dry rub only - and they were delicious! They were tender and moist and didn't need any sauce. As the years went by, the recipe seemed to change and two different types of barbecue sauce were made available at a self-serve station.
Even though I recommend this Disney restaurant to family and friends, there have been a few disappointing visits. I like my food fresh and hot. Today's ribs, although moist and meaty, were not hot. In fact, they were barely warm. Maybe next time...
In addition to the ribs, my husband and I shared an order of onion rings. These onion rings are huge and the onion is so so sweet. It is hard for me to go to Animal Kingdom without at least ordering a basket.
Seating is outdoors only but there is a LOT of it divided into different sections, some of it waterside. We like to walk all the way to the back. It is usually nice and quiet in the back for a relaxed meal for two. This time, however, we were surrounded by a big group.
One issue with outdoor seating is that many different birds and ducks come by looking for scraps. And even though many signs and cards warn guests to please not feed the birds, someone inevitably ignores the well being of these animals. Not only is it a unhealthy for the birds (and squirrels) it can become uncomfortable for other guests... some of the birds and ducks get a little aggressive with surrounding tables once a nearby handout is spotted. Of course, that's exactly what happened when the large family next to us began "dropping" their food.
Please do not feed the animals!
I'm home sick instead playing at Disney World. Boy, do I wish everyone who was sick stayed home instead of spreading the germs.
During each visit to Disney we make sure to dodge every cough, sneeze and sniffle we encounter. It is such a habit that my husband and I do not even need verbal communication. Even if we're hand-in-hand (as we often are) we just intuitively sidestep, make a u-turn or otherwise change our direction to a more germ-free zone.
Somehow I caught a cold and I'm not sure how. It could have been last week's visit to Disney or it could have been the grocery store (it was the only 2 places I had been.) My husband and I are not obsessive, but we do wash our hands a lot - and always before eating. We try not to touch things we don't have to. We avoid touching our face, especially our eyes and nose. We open doors with our elbows and toes (or use a paper towel). And, we keep hand sanitizer in our pocket for emergencies.
We're not crazy, just very germ aware... and that's from lessons learned the hard way. Some of my worst colds and flus were acquired after spending vacation time at Disney. Think about it. People from literally every corner of the world are bringing their germs to Disney World. Each one of them placing their hands on the turnstiles before entering the parks. That's why the restroom sink is always our fist stop after passing through the gates.
I am continually amazed at the poor hygiene habits I witness during every visit to Disney. I cannot stand the people who don't wash their hands after using the toilet (ewwww) or the ones who give their finger tips a one-second sprinkle without soap (who are they kidding?) I always thoroughly soap up and clean real good between my fingers and all sides of my hands. I'm pretty sure my own hand-washing has prompted a few guests to linger just a little longer at the sinks than they may have originally planned. I'm glad. Let's face it, properly washing hands is our first defense and just plain common courtesy.
When I set out to visit Disney every week for 52 weeks, I didn't plan on getting sick. As a courtesy to others, I stayed home. I hope to make up for my lost vacation day next week with a double visit.
I understand that sometimes you can't help the fact that you're sick during your Disney vacation. If you must go when you're sick, please 1) wash your hands often; 2) cover your coughs and sneezes - with your shoulder or elbow (not your hands, thank you); and 3) avoid touching things.
No one likes to get sick. Please don't spread the germs at Disney World - or anywhere else. Thanks!
Disney's All-Star Music resort was once our favorite bargain hotel (and still is for nostaglic reasons). At that time it was one of only two All-Star resorts. The other, of course, was All-Star Sports. Several years later, Disney added All-Star Movies.
One of the things I really enjoy about being at the All-Stars is that it is really like getting 3 hotels in 1. All three All-Star hotels are within walking distance of each other. The All-Star Music resort sits in the middle and this is where we spent most of our time today. We shared the Chicken Penne Alfredo with bread stick meal for lunch - and boy was it delicious. This same meal can be found at several of the value resorts. Some prepare it a little better than others. All-Star Music did it right today!
We typically park between Sports and Music. As we walked towards Music we could hear the fun in the distance. The All-Star Music tends to be the party destination for all three resorts - filled with popular music and activities for the kids. LOTS of scheduled activities from games to dance competitions and night-time movies by pool.
We walked through the entire resort, admiring the over-sized theming at each set of buildings. When we stay at this resort, we will like to request the Calypso section because it offers the closest distance to the food court and bus transportation to the Disney theme parks (but it can be loud). If you look close in the photo above, you'll see the giant yellow maracas. But... our favorite themed area is Broadway featuring big marquis, ticket windows and the sounds of Broadway tunes.
After several hours at the Music, we ended our day by strolling over to All-Star Movies for a walk among the over-sized characters like Toy Story's Buzz and Woody. And, by that time, we were hungry for dinner so we split a chili cheese dog. Another excellent choice. In fact, several people around us in line commented on how good it looked. We've had chili cheese dogs at other Disney resorts and they always have beans. I'm not a big fan of beans in my chili so I was pleasantly surprised to find the chili dog at All-Star Movies to be free of beans! Each time we're about half-way through our meal I realize that we should have taken a picture. Hopefully, we'll start remembering to take photos of our Disney meals.
Do you like to "Do The Hustle"... then on your next Disney vacation be sure to head over to Everything Pop (shopping and food court area) at Disney's Pop Century.
Every evening at approximately 6:00 pm guests in the food court area will notice that the overhead music briefly comes to a stop. In its place, is a recorded voice inviting these Disney hotel guests to join cast members in the center of the food court for a few toe-tapping, hand-clapping steps of that 1970's dance favorite - The Hustle.
During most "performances" cast members carry small signs that say, "Do The Hustle" and encourage nearby guests to join them. As soon as the memorable sounds of The Hustle" can be heard, a crowd of onlookers gather and cameras begin to flash as young and old take a step back into the disco era.
Now... I'm old enough to remember The Hustle in its heyday, and I even danced it - but not in the disco. No, I performed The Hustle on stage during a grammar school play. I was one of about 6 or 8 girls from class that learned the dance from one of our teachers. I don't remember the play exactly, but our part was to dance The Hustle to Sammy Davis Jr's, The Candyman. We were dressed in dark tops and white skirts (our Mom's were told to pin empty candy wrappers to our skirts).
To this day, each time The Hustle begins playing at Pop Century I'm transported back to 1975 - twirling on stage in my candy wrapper covered skirt and feeling on top of the world. Amazingly (to me, anyway) I remember the steps. My husband knows this and gives me a little nudge when we hear the announcer. Maybe one of these days I'll get up the courage to join the cast members for a few dance steps down memory lane.
