Category Archives: Vacation Planning

Walt Disney World adds Early Morning Magic at the Magic Kingdom.

24 Thursday Mar 2016

Posted by in Food, Magic Kingdom, Vacation Planning

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Disney has once again added another premium event at the Magic Kingdom but this time it is has been added to the mornings. It certainly appears that Extra Magic Hours will soon be going bye bye.

Make your Walt Disney World mornings more magical than ever with a first-access experience in the park!
 
Rising with the sun on select mornings, Disney Early Morning Magic gives you the chance to be among the first to enter Magic Kingdom park and experience a trio of Fantasyland attractions:
 
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Peter Pan’s Flight.
Plus, in addition to the early-morning fun, you can get your fill of a fantastic continental breakfast at Pinocchio Village Haus—featuring such scrumptious breakfast fare as:
 
Chilled juices, coffee and teas
Seasonal fruit and berries
Freshly baked pastries
Cheese and cured meats
Scrambled eggs with assorted toppings
Vegetable frittata
Smoked bacon
Pork and turkey sausages
Fried potatoes with caramelized onions
Mickey Waffles
Available with the purchase of a separate ticket, Disney Early Morning Magic takes place on select dates from 7:45 AM to 10:00 AM. However, admission is limited—be sure to buy your tickets before it’s too late!
 
Admission to Disney Early Morning Magic is available $69 per adult and $49 per child (tax not included).

Magic Kingdom After Hours Premium Ticketed Event ( select nights $149)

22 Tuesday Mar 2016

Posted by in Magic Kingdom, Vacation Planning, Walt Disney World

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The Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World will have some Premium ticketed events available to allow you an extra 3 hours in the park for a whopping $149.99 per person this Spring

This will allow you to experience an extra 3 hours after normal park closing on select nights. The price is $149.99 plus tax and this price is for adult and kids alike. The dates are listed below. Some ice cream and cold beverages are included in the price. Most not all attractions will be available on those nights as well as some characters.

  • April 28 and May 5, 2016 from 10pm to 1am
  • April 14 and 21, and May 8, 12 and 19, 2016 from 11pm to 2am

MyMagic+ enhancements coming

01 Tuesday Mar 2016

Posted by in Epcot, Magic Kingdom, MyMagic+, Vacation Planning, Walt Disney World

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According to WDWMagic who are pretty accurate with their information, they are saying that coming later this Spring you will be able to add additional Fastpasses once you complete using your 3 via the App instead of going to a Kiosk in the parks.

Also worth noting that originally when Disney first announced MyMagic+ they mentioned MyMagic+ Storymaker. Storymaker will allow guests to interact with attractions and possibly even characters with use of the Magic Band. Certain possibilities are Mickey knowing your name when you approach him in the Magic Kingdom. Also the most well known example is at the end of It’s a Small World where they might say your name and goodbye in your native tongue.

This is a great news for enhancements to a great experience in the parks. Let’s just hope that they also plan to allow Fastpass+ selections to happen in multiple parks on the same day in the future.

 

#TripleD Recipe Friday

08 Friday Jan 2016

Posted by in diet, Dining, Disney tips, Food, Uncategorized, Vacation Planning, Walt Disney World

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As many of you know I am a chef in real life. However, as many chefs will tell you after cooking all day the last thing we like to do is cook at home. Problem is fast food and eating out has got me into this situation. I am not saying to never eat out, but make it a treat and not the norm. So I have been coming up with new things to eat that are both satisfying and healthy.

One thing I love is Caribbean food. I love the spicy sweet mixture. There is nothing I like more than making my own jerk marinade and letting chicken swim in it for a day and grilling it outside. Well, problem with that is it was 5pm and 15 degrees outside so I took a few shortcuts.  I came up with a jerk marinated chicken breast on a bed of rice pilaf and a carrot pineapple slaw.

What you’ll need:

  • Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
  • Maragaritaville (or another brand) Jerk Marinade
  • Long Grain Rice (1/4 cup dry rice per serving)
  • Shredded Carrots
  • Fresh Diced Pineapple (get the peeled at the store it’s much easier)
  • Fresh Lime Juice (1 lime)
  • 1 Tbsp Fresh Cilantro roughly chopped (dried will work just use half as much)
  • Olive Oil (not extra virgin)
  1. Marinate the chicken breast with the store bought marinade
  2. In a bowl combine the diced pineapple, lime juice, and cilantro
  3. while whisking slowly drizzle enough olive oil to thicken the liquid probably around 3 Tbsp.
  4. Add carrots to the slaw mixture, cover and leave in fridge until serving.
  5. Make the rice according to instructions. Put some of the bottled marinade or pineapple juice into the rice water for more flavor.
  6. I used a grill pan on top of the stove to cook the chicken, but you can use a skillet, or bake in the oven. Make sure the internal temperature is 165 degrees F
  7. Plate by putting the chicken breast on the bed of rice. Stir slaw in the bowl and put on top of the Chicken.

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I really liked the cold slaw on the hot chicken it gave it nice balance. I would have liked a little more heat from spice. When I make my jerk I add habenero peppers to it. Next time I would add some red pepper flakes or diced chiles to the marinade. This whole meal per serving according to my app was 341 calories. I was very full and satisfied after this as well.

I hope you enjoy this and if you try it let me know if you liked it, didn’t like it, or added anything to enhance it. Keith@enchantedtikitalk.com

 

 

 

Disney Dude Diet: The Introduction

04 Monday Jan 2016

Posted by in diet, Dining, Disney Memories, Disney tips, Epcot, Food, Magic Kingdom, star wars, Uncategorized, Vacation Planning, Walt Disney World

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As most guys I have always loved food. So much that I made it my career. Although my love for food hasn’t always been the healthiest. I have struggled with my weight as long as I can remember. I played high school football and was in the best “shape” of my life during those four years. After the coaches stopped yelling at me I decided to go to culinary school. A little tip….being a chef is not the healthiest of professions nutritionally. I was working crazy hours, tasting and eating whatever I could scarf down the fastest. Which included many cans of pop (or soda depending on where you live). A few years ago I was at my highest weight ever 340 pounds. I was unhealthy, felt terrible, and had severe back problems. Because of the back pain I lost 60 pounds because I was in constant pain and not eating properly. Which turned out great for my back because I dropped the weight. However, once my back was feeling better I started eating again.

Which brings us around the Spaceship Earth of my life to now. I have gained back 40 of the 60 pounds I lost and have that terrible feeling again. I came across the Maelstrom t-shirt I had bought because I was upset the attraction was closing and wanted to have something as a memento. Problem was for some strange reason Disney seems to only make most of their shirts up to 2xl in size. Coming up on a Walt Disney World vacation in three months I decided it was time to do something.

I started  my journey to health a week ago and decided to put my story on here to maybe help other guys who might not know how to begin their own journey.

I am not an expert nor do I play one on TV. However, I have been experimenting with recipes, counting calories, and started going back to the gym. I will be posting my recipes, triumphs, failures, and tips. Hopefully this blog will not only be informative but fun and if nothing else you’ll get some good recipes out of it. If you have any questions or suggestions please email them to me at keith@enchantedtikitalk.com

Olivia’s Cafe at Old Key West

01 Tuesday Sep 2015

Posted by in Dining, Disney tips, Food, Travel, Vacation Planning, Walt Disney World

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Olivia’s Café at Old Key West

I’ll admit it, I go to these fantastic restaurants partly because I love checking out the resorts! They are so unique and beautifully themed  that they would stand alone anywhere but in WDW you have such over abundance of options. You can go from Victorian era grandeur to Flavors of Africa and then onto some fried chicken and ribs along with the show at a western show.

Olivia’s Café feels like going to a Mom & Pop diner at the seashore. It’s not overly grand and it’s not trying to be. It’s kitschy and nautical. There are pictures of families who have enjoyed the resort hanging on the walls like regulars and keepsakes lovingly framed. The staff is dressed appropriately for area (Old Key West, of course) in khakis and Hawaiian shirts.

The food, however is not just casually put together. The presentation as well as the flavors really stand out. Definitely makes an impression. I had the Seven Mile Sea Scallops and cannot wait to have it again. The scallops were lightly grilled and placed over polenta that was extra creamy. Olive oil tossed asparagus peeks out from under and crispy prosciutto tops off the dish to perfection.

The Little Things In Life

06 Thursday Aug 2015

Posted by in Dining, Disney Memories, Disney tips, Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Travel, Vacation Planning, Walt Disney World

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Last week I did something that I haven’t done in a really long time, I visited a book store.  Now personally I am not and have never been a really strong reader, but as I was driving past the local mall I was drawn to a Barnes and Noble.  My ever growing collection of Disney based books has mostly come from Amazon for the reasoning that the B&N in Dayton, Ohio doesn’t have a dedicated Disney section.  So I wandered around and found myself in the travel section and all at once a blast from my childhood caught my eye.

There it was, the rectangular wonder that is the Birnbaum’s 2015 Official Guide to Walt Disney World.  I still remember the day that my parents told me about our first trip to WDW and gave me the 1997 version which I read over and over again both before and after our trip.  I memorized every word of that guide from the letter from the editor to the coupons in the back.  That guide was marked, highlighted, and eventually started to deteriorate under the wear and tear it went through.  At that time it was my only known source or pictures and descriptions of everything at WDW.  Sure the Disney Channel would play some specials that would briefly give you glimpses of Pirates of the Caribbean or Spaceship Earth but nothing about all the other shops, rides, attractions, accommodations, or restaurants that you’d encounter while visiting.  I also tried to do some research on the internet before the 1997 trip but my two older sisters often tied up the phone lines which made the Birnbaum’s Guide my best choice.

Today, I have a firm grasp on what’s going on at WDW and where things are located thanks to previous experiences, websites, podcasts (shameless plug for Enchanted Tiki Talk), and the unending social media outposts dedicated to Walt Disney World however seeing the 2015 version on the stand was too much for me and I just had to buy it.  Upon leaving the store I found it funny that I traded $15.95 for 355 pages of information I already know.  The real draw though isn’t the words on the pages but as a remembrance of the happiness that my 1997 copy brought me.  Maybe I’m just a sentimental person but I find a lot of enjoyment reading the 2015 copy and seeing a lot of the same factoids and descriptions that were in my 1997 copy.

At this point in my Disney obsession most of the information in this guide is basic knowledge but I do recommend it for the first time trip taker because it is an innocent guide that is free of the preformed opinions of the masses that the internet offers.  Right now for me it serves as a nice reminder that I will get back to Orlando as soon as my daughter is out of diapers (my wife has been very strict about this policy).

If you want any of the coupons from the back of my guide follow me on Twitter at TerriblePirate7 and I’ll be happy to mail them out to you.

Rainy Day? Hit the Monorail!

23 Tuesday Jun 2015

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Not only does Florida get really hot (like walking on the surface of the sun hot) but it also gets a lot of rain. In fact, it will rain almost every day in the summer. But don’t panic, the rain is usually just passing through. It doesn’t last long most of the time but there will be days when it sticks around. What to do on those days? Got to the Ticket and Transportation Center and jump on the Resorts Monorail!

Happy Monorail Day! – There are three top of the line resorts that have Monorail stops – the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, The Polynesian Village Resort and the Contemporary Resorts. Individually, they are wonderful but put them together with one really cool means of transportation and you’ll have a fun day!

The first stop along the way is the Polynesian. With it’s South Pacific Island decor and recently remodeled lobby, which guests are transported to a place far beyond central Florida . Stop at Kona Café for the Tonga Toast; it’s the best way to start any day. This is an original WDW resort so walk around and ask questions of the knowledgeable cast members. Look around for the hidden Mickeys and say hi to Tiki, the new and uniquely stunning figure who sits atop the waterfall!

The next stop is at the crowned jewel of WDW, The Grand Floridian. You really need to take your time to soak in everything from the fresh cut flowers, to the live music and the grand staircases. If you’re there when it’s time for a meal- and since it’s vacation, it’s always time for great food- the Grand Floridian Café is always serving delicious meals to eat while you take in spectacular sights from the plentiful windows that offer views of the resorts breathtaking scenery. If you are looking for a different type of experience, 1900 Park Fare is a character meal with an endless buffet of flavors and delight! For the adults in your party, there is the Senses Spa where guests can enjoy everything from manicures to massages. From here, get back on the monorail for the next short journey and our next stop.

The Magic Kingdom is the next stop on the Monorail. If the rain hasn’t let up, just wave goodbye to all the people in ponchos and sit tight for the next stop.

The Contemporary is another original to the Walt Disney World Resort, having opened in 1971. The centerpiece is the stylized mosaic right in the atrium built with 1800 one square foot tiles. Look closely to find the five legged goat! If you’ve spent the whole day taking the time to enjoy all the magic that is WDW, then head up to the California Grill for fabulous food and a great view of the Wishes fireworks at the Magic Kingdom. Another choice is Chef Mickey’s; this is a character meal, buffet style with the Fab Five. If you can’t possibly eat again – like ever- you can still watch the fireworks from the Contemporary. Rumor has it that there is another viewing spot on the north side of the tower, just outside of the fourth floor. There are benches set up in this area.

Having this much fun will completely distract you from the weather outside. Sometimes it’s fun to have a Monorail day just to escape the heat!

There is an adult version of the Monorail Fun Day called the Monorail Pub Crawl. This includes stops at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, Mizner’s Lounge and the California Grill.

Positively Disney

5 Easy Money Saving tips while in Walt Disney World

16 Tuesday Jun 2015

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I put a list together for 5 easy ways to save a few bucks while in Walt Disney World.

1. Water

Water can get very expensive while you are in Walt Disney World. They charge $2.75 for a Bottle of Dasani. An easy way to save money is to get some FREE water, yes free. You can easily go to any of the quick service restaurants and just ask for a free cup of ice water. Or another option is to have cases of water delivered to your room. You can use a personal shopper or one of the sites like Garden Grocer to deliver it to your room. There will be some service charges but its still cheaper than buying 10 bottles of water in the parks. This goes for groceries as well.

2. Snacks

Snacking can get expensive in Walt Disney World but one easy thing to do is bring some snacks with you in the parks. You can easily pack granola bars, Goldfish or any snack that doesn’t take up much space in the suitcase. You will be glad you did especially if you have young kids with you. As mentioned with water take advantage of the grocery deliveries and get some fresh fruit delivered.

3. Skip the Souvenirs

Some not all items in the parks may be found at the Disneystore.com online. They often run sales throughout the year with 20% off or more. Take advantage of those sales and skip the souvenirs until you are home. Or if you have a car there are 2 Disney Outlet stores within a 15 minute ride of Walt Disney World where you can purchase some park souvenirs as well.

4. Order A La Carte

At the quick service restaurants you will often see items listed as a combo. As a quick example over at Casey’s on Main Street at the Magic Kingdom the hot dogs are listed with french fries. So just ask for them without fries. That will save you a couple of bucks and some calories as well.

5. Skip dinner and do lunch

This only goes for the sit down restaurants but if you are willing to skip doing dinner at a sit down restaurant choose to do lunch instead. Often times the menu’s are the same and the meals might be a little smaller but they are always cheaper than the dinner menu. Choose a later lunch say around 3 o’clock and then do dinner later that evening in a quick service restaurant. The good news there is that the crowds are lighter.

My Top 5 Drinks at Epcot’s World Showcase

03 Wednesday Jun 2015

Posted by in Epcot, Food, Vacation Planning, Walt Disney World, world showcase

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The one thing I love most about World Showcase is being able to experience the culture and by culture I mean what alcoholic drinks do they have to quench my thirst. So I have put together a list of the top 5 drinks I must have while walking through World Showcase.

5. Germany and the Weinkeller

I always love stopping in Germany and grabbing a beer but there is one thing in Germany I can’t pass up. Riesling of any kind suits my palate nicely. They don’t always carry the same Riesling brand but its worth stopping in for a wine tasting. Plus you can always take a bottle to go.

4. America – Fife and Drum Tavern

Here lies another frozen concoction that is hard to pass up. The Frozen Red Stag Lemonade. This is a drink I make often at home on a hot day in the summer. The tartness from the lemonade and the sweet cherry in the bourbon make this a drink that must not be passed by. BTW grab an Jalapeno and Cheese Stuffed Pretzel while you are there. You wont be sorry.

3. United Kingdom

Guinness not much more can say about that. Except that I prefer to drink it inside the Rose and Crown Pub. That way I can enjoy the pub atmosphere and not feel rushed downing my Guinness.

2.  France try the Grand Marnier Orange Slush

Located next to the crepe stand you will find this tasty drink. Its so smooth and tasty but not too sweet, and so light and refreshing. It tastes more like an Orange Creamsicle but after finishing one you will want to try it again and again.

1. Mexico and La Cava del Tequila 

Located inside the Mexico Pavilion lies the greatest tequila bar you could ever dream of. You really can not go wrong with any margarita from La Cava. I can’t really choose a favorite because they are all so good. So I will leave that one up to you guys. But try the Blood Orange, Pineapple or even the Cucumber.