Today, 44 Years Ago

On this date - November 15th - in 1965, Walt and Roy officially announce the "Florida project", meaning Walt Disney World, of course.

But did you know that Orlando was not Disney's 1st choice for the new park site?

It was St. Louis, Missouri.

In 1963, Walt and company were all set to sign the documents, when at a cocktail party the night before the signing, August Busch Jr, of the Anheuser-Busch brewery dynasty, reputedly shot off his mouth: "Any man who thinks he can design an attraction that is going to be a success in this city and not serve beer or liquor ought to have his head examined."

Well, Walt did not want beer, or any alcoholic beverage, sold in his Family-friendly park, nor did he need to have his head examined, so the next morning he gathered up his crew and left town.

Or so the story goes.


I wonder what Walt would do today about the alcohol sold in his beloved parks, besides spin at Warp 6?

Food & Wine 2010 Review

My son and his bride planned their trip to visit us (and Mickey) during the Food & Wine Festival this year.

I picked up a couple of "Passports" and we stopped at all of the kiosks to get the stamps, plus the Festival center to get the final one.

Although we didn't sample everything, here is our review of those we did:

On a scale of YUMMY to YUCKY

YUMMY:

*** The waffles (Belgium) - Unanimous approval
*** Braised short ribs (France) - seconds-worthy
*** Cherry Colada (Puerto Rico) - OLE!!
*** Chicken Chipotle Sausage (Canada) - even hard-to please hubby liked this
*** Vidal Icewine (Canada) - better than last year; hubby liked this, too

** Creme Brulee au Chocolat (France)
** Pecan Bread Pudding (Hops & Barley)
    *note: the 1st one was quite good, the 2nd one was slightly less so & had only one pecan
** Rosemount Traminer Riesling (Australia)
** Ginger Ice Cream (China)
** Chocolate Lava Cake with Baileys Irish Cream Ganache (Ireland)
** Bunratty Meade Honey Wine (Ireland)

* Godiva Iced chocolate (Belgium) - might've liked it better if the ice had been crushed

* Spanish Almond Cake (Spain) - pound cake with almonds, but tasty
* Bohae Bokbunjajoo/blackberry rice wine (South Korea) - too strong for me, but the Boy liked it

SO-SO:

* Esquites (Mexico)- eh
* Churro (Mexico) - not crispy, almost on the yuck list
* Wafu Ribettes (Japan) - eh
* Pork Pot Stickers (China) - not hot, not as good as last year
* Kinjiang BBQ Chicken Stick (China)- eh
* Green Tea Plum Wine Cooler (China) - not as good as last year
* Lettuce wraps with pork & kimchi sauce (South Korea)

YUCKY:

- BBQ short rib (South Korea) - even tho the sauce was tasty, overall very disappointing
- Heirloom Tomatoes (US) - didn't even finish this
- Bison Chili (US) - unanimous vote for the yuck-o-meter
- Cheese Fondue (Charcuterie & Cheese) - bleech

We got the gift cards on the wrist bands this year and I have to say that they were a unanimous hit! We'll definitely use them next year (for which we're already saving $$$$).

Real Life Disney: Chip & Dale

I love this picture. 

Dunno who or where, nor the source.

A Little Disney Magic

I was at DHS waiting for a bus to Port Orleans the other morning. And waiting. About 10 minutes.

A Bus scheduler with a clipboard and radio comes across the driveway and tells me that he's got a bus coming for me. Just me. I was the only one there.

A bus comes around the corner. It has VIP Cast Member on the front sign.

The Bus scheduler with a clipboard and radio says, "This is your bus". Just mine. I was the only passenger.

How's THAT for Disney Magic!

Haunted Mansion Resort Rooms ??

Whoa. How Cool would this be?

Story here: 

Would you  stay in a Haunted Mansion Room

Real Life Disney: The Lion King

Happy Birthday, Pluto!!

Food and Wine 2010

The Marketplace list has been released.

What!!
No Boboti ?!?  No Durban Spiced Chicken (South Africa) ?!?
No Frozen Baileys (Ireland) ??


But wait.
The Godiva Iced Chocolate Coffee (Belgium) does sound good!
Ireland will offer a warm chocolate lava cake with Baileys Irish Cream Ganache.

And as long as the Green Tea Plum Wine Cooler (China) and the Pecan Bread Pudding (Hops & Barley) are as delicious as they were last year, I'll be happeee!!

Bear Face Rooms

Ever hear about the 'bear face' rooms at Disney's Wilderness Lodge?

These are certain rooms in the U-shaped courtyard area facing Bay Lake.

Do you see the Bear's Face?

How About now:

 

Here's a little help:

Thanks to Eileen

at 

PassporterBoards

Happy Anniversary, ToT !

WDW's Twilight Zone Tower of Terror officially opened July 22nd, 1994.

This remains my favorite thing to do at Disney's Hollywood Studios
(after Who Wants to Be a Millionaire closed in 2006).

Ever wonder what happens if you don't fasten that seat belt?