Adult Time - Dining on Your Disney Cruise

  

Disney does food! Plain and simple, no matter where you eat on board, you can always find something tasty and uniquely designed. However, there may come a time you would like a tranquil dining experience, no crayons on the table or servers dodging little unsupervised cruisers. My friends, let me introduce you to a little slice of heaven on deck 12, Palo & Remy.  These two exclusively adult dining options are the perfect getaway for a little romance and elegant pampering. Both venues are softly lit, colored in earthy tones, and every table has a view of the water, you can even choose to dine al fresco on their private decks. Keeping an atmosphere of elegance, you will not find shorts, jeans or flip flops here. Men must have a jacket and ladies in a dress, skirt or pants suit. Your choice now comes down to your food preference, Italian or French.

Being a big fan of Italian food, dinner at Palo was my choice this past cruise. Upon entering Palo, you must look up at the blown glass chandelier.This was designed to look like spaghetti and meatballs, they wanted to give you a feeling of Italy the moment you walk in.. Once we were seated, our server Michelle began walking us through what to expect for the evening. We were first served a mix of flat bread sticks and parmesan bread wedges. Both hard and crispy, but oh so tasty! After Michelle took our orders, she rolled over a  chilled cart and proceeded to make to large antipasti platters.

My husband was in heaven; Prosciutto, Bresasola, Parmesan Reggiano, marinated olives & sun dried tomatoes, I think he licked the platter clean. The next course was appetizers. I was unadventurous with just an arugula salad while the rest of the group tried the Tuscan White Bean soup. If you are torn between which entree you would like to order, you can choose a smaller portion of one as your appetizer, but that seemed a little too much as we were all trying to save room for the infamous dessert.

Before bringing out the main course, we were all given a small scoop of lemon sorbet to cleanse our palates, then before we knew it, our dinner had appeared. The men enjoyed a beautifully cooked and arrange portion of beef tenderloin with two sauces, one creamy and one red wine. My sister in law and I devoured a bowl of potato gnocchi swimming in a Gorgonzola sauce. I must admit, when I first saw the portion size I thought I should have ordered two, but the sauce is so rich, one was just enough. Once we were finished eating and had a chance to relax we were shown a dessert listing. Each choice sounded more delicious than the next, (costing about about 2 hours in the gym each) but Michelle assured us Palo's chocolate souffle was not to be missed. She was not kidding. These tall, airy cakes were served in individual ramekins with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and two little pitchers of vanilla and chocolate sauce. She demonstrated how to open the souffle and pour the sauces into the middle to get the full effect. Oh my gosh! Now it was my turn to lick the plate clean.

Completely stuffed, Michelle appears again with one more tray. This time there were 4 little shot glasses with a very cold drink in them. She explained they were called Sgroppino, a combination of lemon sorbet, vodka and apple iced wine, to aid in digestion of the meal. Whether they helped or not I do not know, but they were the perfect end to a wonderful meal. We soaked in the atmosphere for a while longer, thanked Michelle for a magical evening and "rolled" out the door.

Summer Camp Happy Labor Day Weekend!

Happy First Day of School

Yes even on the first day of college Mommy still takes your picture!

Labor Day is upon us! As we approach the last weekend of the summer, families from coast to coast are preparing themselves to head back to school.  For kids the thoughts are filled with the excitement of new clothes and shoes, reuniting with their friends, backpack that still zip and the smell of your new box of crayons. For parents, it’s a time of anticipation, whether your child is just entering school for the first time, or a seasoned pro with many first days under their belts.  As a teacher and a parent, the first day of school is the greatest day there is but also the hardest. Brand new smiling faces, watching your child grow from year to year and become the adult they were meant to be but at the same time there are tears-tears of joy and tears of sadness. Each year as I great my new group of students at the door, as the parents leave I have them a little bag. Inside the bag they find a tea bag, a cotton ball, a tissue and this note. Although I don’t have a first day of school kit for each of you, I can share these thoughts as you start the new school year. May you hold them close to your heart, and know that each of your children are in the caring, capable hands of teachers who will hold them as close to their hearts as you do.

The Latest Disney and Orlando Area Discounts

Welcome to The Disney Gals where we do our very best to bring you all the latest information regarding the Disney Parks, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club Resorts, Adventures by Disney, and Orlando theme parks including Universal Studios Florida and Sea World Orlando. We know one of the most important pieces of the planning puzzle is searching for the best deal. Our friends at the Orlando-based travel agency, Destinations in Florida, are who we go use to find the best deals for our friends and family. Feel free to contact them for an obligation free quote today!



Here is the latest list of deals available at the Walt Disney World Resort, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland Resort, Aulani, Universal Studios Florida, and Sea World Orlando.

Disney Discounts

Walt Disney World® Resort

 

• Free Dining Plan Offer at the Walt Disney World® Resort: Now through Sept. 15, 2013, get a FREE Disney Dining Plan when you purchase a non-discounted Walt Disney Travel Company room and ticket package at select Disney Moderate, Disney Deluxe or Disney Deluxe Villa Resort hotels at the Walt Disney World® Resort. Offer valid for arrivals most nights Sep. 29 – Oct. 2, Oct. 18 – Nov. 2, Nov. 11-23 and Dec. 12-22, 2013. Must book by September 15, 2013. Contact Destinations in Florida and request a free online quote today!
•  
• Save Up To 30% on Rooms at Select Walt Disney World® Resort Hotels This Fall: Book your room only or package reservation and save up to 30% off Official Walt Disney World® Resort Hotels for stays most nights Sept. 29 – Nov 22, 2013, and Nov 30 – Dec. 23, 2013. You can book a room only or upgrade to a package with tickets. You can even add one of the Disney Dining Plans for additional savings. The booking window is Aug. 1 – Sept. 15, 2013, for travel Sept. 29 – Nov. 9, 2013 and Aug. 1 – Nov. 3, 2013 for travel Nov. 10 – Nov. 22, 2013 and Nov. 30 – Dec. 23, 2013. Contact Destinations in Florida and request a free online quote today!

Wordless Wednesday - August 28, 2013

TO THE DISNEY GALS WORDLESS WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP!

THE THEME OF THE DAY IS

Disney Inspired Letter "N"!

 Disney Gal Lori:
(Lori was in Walt Disney World this week and sent in these photos)

 

Does Disney make Magic for Adult Cruisers?

Ten years ago, when I had three young children, cruising with Disney seemed to be the logical extension of a Walt Disney World visit. This year, a number of people have asked me why we still choose to cruise with Disney, especially since my children are beyond stalking characters 24/7. I had my standard answers for them; exceptional service, great excursions and Broadway caliber entertainment, but what I learned this trip extended way beyond that. You see, this was the first time all 5 children (including a niece and nephew) were old enough, and mature enough, to come and go as they pleased. This left the adults in our group a lot of time to enjoy all the ship had to offer, much of which we missed on past cruises.

For the next 5 Tuesdays, I will be covering adult only activities and opportunities Disney Cruise Line offers. I know we have many fellow cruisers out there, so please share your experiences with us. See you next week with Disney Cruising for Adults - Dining.

Summer Camp-Homemade Soap!

Making Your Own Soap

Want a fun way to help your children to remember to wash their hands? What better way than with their very own homemade soap! Making soap is an easy activity for kids of all ages. The process is fun and the results can also be used as gifts, perfect for parents, grandparents and even teachers.  With the holidays right around the corner, it’s never too early to get a jump on things. Let’s get started!

MATERIALS:

·      Plastic soap molds (plastic cups or plastic ice trays work as well)

·      Vegetable cooking spray or petroleum jelly for coating the molds

·      Pure glycerin soap (sold in blocks or cubes at any craft store)

·      Red, yellow and blue soap dyes (also found at craft stores)

·      Microwave measuring cups with handle for melting the soap

·      Small plastic treasures or trinkets

·      Popsicle stick or chopstick to use to stir

PROCEDURE:

1)        Prepare the molds by spraying the inside of the plastic molds with the vegetable spray, making sure to cover the entire interior.  Just use enough to lightly cover the surface.

2)       Melt the glycerin soap.  The size of your molds will determine how much soap you’ll need to begin with.  Start by melting smaller amounts, as it is much easier to add more later. To melt. Place the cubes of glycerin soap into the measuring cup and microwave on high for 30 seconds. If not all of the soap is melted, microwave at 10 second intervals until all the soap is melted but not boiling.  Have an adult remove the soap from the microwave as THE SOAP IS HOT!

Wordless Wednesday - August 21, 2013

TO THE DISNEY GALS WORDLESS WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP!

THE THEME OF THE DAY IS

Disney Weenie's!

Disney Gal Kelly: 
First thing that came to mind for me was "Sea Weenies".

Guest Author Sunday

Guest Author Sunday

Welcome Michael Juba

 Disney Gals are pleased to welcome Michael Juba  as this week's Guest Author. As we all know, Walt Disney World has incredible golf courses located within the Walt Disney Resort area. Here's Michael to tell you all about them.

Golfing Zen at Disney

Going to Disney World is an experience most families should eventually have. For many families, they return again and again to relive the magic of visiting a theme park that embodies so many childhood dreams for the family’s children.

For the parents of these children, it can seem as though Disney is a steady stream of rides and attractions that are a bit overwhelming. So much sound, noise, and movement – it’s enough to lay you low for weeks to come, recovering somewhere dark and quiet. As young and energetic as your children are, you just aren’t that spry anymore, and so your “vacation” to Disney can end up being more exhausting than your time at work the other 50 or so weeks of the year!

The 2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival is Right Around the Corner!

Every fall starting in September and running through mid-November Epcot transforms into a food and wine lovers dream destination at the  annual Epcot Food and Wine Festival. Take culinary a tour across six continents and through nearly thirty international marketplaces. At each marketplace place you can sample tapas-sized servings of regional specialties along with regional beers and wines.

Be sure to stop at the Terra Marketplace, offering a variety of vegan specialties for the first time in the history of the Epcot Food and Wine Festival. I also recommend stopping by the Belgium Marketplace and grabbing a Belgian waffle with berry compote and whipped cream, and it goes perfectly with Godiva Chocolate Liqueur iced coffee. Now that’s what I call a perfect midday snack!

While your eating your way around the world, be sure to take some time to enjoy the various Food and Wine Festival experiences that are included with your park admission. Check out the festival center wine shop for daily wine samplings and don’t forget the specialty shopping that is set up along the World Showcase. Take in the seminars, book signings, and meet and greets with some of biggest names in the food and wine industry.  For an additional fee you can take part in additional seminars and demonstrations, as well as other premium events and experiences.

Not only does the Epcot Food and Wine Festival provide you with a culinary tour around the world, but it also provides you with nightly entertainment with the Eat to the Beat Concert Series. Each night at 5:30, 6:45, and 8:00pm you can enjoy a varied line up of Pop, swing, R&B, classic rock, and soul icons.

Take it from, The Disney Foodie, the Epcot Food and Wine Festival is must do for any foodie! Where else can you experience food and wine from six different continents and from almost thirty countries all in one day? The 2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival will run from September 27 - November 11. Keep checking back for more updates and news about this years festival!

Written by Meghan Blair, the "Disney Foodie" -- As a Florida Resident, Meghan combines her love of Disney and her love of food! She will give you the best restaurant and dining tips and suggestions to make your meals, just as magical as the rest of your vacation! Book your next vacation with Meghan at 954-328 7090 or meghan@destinationsinflorida.com.

Give Away Time! It's the Brand new Care Bear Movie

"A Belly Badge for Wonderheart"

I can remember it like it was yesterday. My three older children were sitting in front of the television set when suddenly squeals of delight came from the family room, especially from Jason, the youngest of the big kids. The Turner children had officially discovered the Care Bears. Suddenly, everything in Jason’s life became about Care Bears, in fact so much so that for Halloween that year I made him a Wish Bear (the blue Care Bear) costume. There wasn’t an inch in our house that wasn’t covered in blue fuzz and he actually wore the costume for several more years. 

Fast forward 30 years and the Care Bears are still here with all their sweetness and charm and with a  brand new movie “A Belly Badge for Wonderheart.”  I had the honor of screening this brand new addition to the Care Bear collection with a room full of captivated 5 year olds and it still held the same magic that captured the hearts of my own children all those years ago.  Between the laughter, giggles and the twinkle in their eyes as they watched in anticipation to see if Wonder Heart Bear would indeed be able to make his dreams come true of joining the Bear Bouts, all the magic that we have come to know the Care Bears for was still there.

Want to win your very own copy of “A Belly Badge for Wonderheart” for your own family?  Go to our Disney Gals Facebook page and enter under Give Aways. Then step back, relax and wait to be transported to the world of Care-A-Lot-a place where everyone can discover the joys of honesty and caring.

                                      

I am a member of the Entertainment New Media Network, and we help promote, sometimes for a promotional fee, entertainment industry projects we find meaningful. As always all opinions are my own.

For a full disclaimer, visit www.ENMNetwork.com/disclaimer

Gayle is a Disney Gal that loves churros for breakfast, still gets giddy with delight at the first sight of the “Disneyland next exit sign”, loves the overwhelming emotions and memories that come with each and every return to the Happiest Place on Earth and dreams of one day being the Captain of the Jungle Boat. To learn more about Gayle, click here

Disney Infinity Makes it Debut at Toys "R" Us!

LET THE MAGIC BEGIN! DISNEY INFINITY MAKES ITS DEBUT AT TOYS“R”US^® STORES NATIONWIDE

 

Toys“R”Us^® Becomes the Ultimate Disney Infinity Retail Destination, Allowing Customers to Experience All-New Gaming Universe Featuring Beloved Disney and Pixar Characters, Along with Exclusive Toys, Special Events and More

 

Toys“R”Us Stores Nationwide to Open at 8am on Sunday, August 18 to Welcome Eager Fans

Summer Camp fun with Sidewalk Chalk

Make Your Own Sidewalk Chalk

You Just Need Your Thinking Cap To Have Fun

With summer quickly winding down and school just around the corner, what better way to keep the kids entertained than with sidewalk chalk?  Sidewalk chalk can provide hours of entertainment, and it’s a great way to ease your way back into school by reviewing letters, numbers all while allowing that artistic side to come to the forefront. No need to run down to the store to buy a bucket of chalk because this week at summer camp we are going to be making our own.

PassPorter Walt Disney World Review and Give Away!

Disney Gals are thrilled to be able to partner up with Deb at Focused on the Magic to bring you this great give away and who doesn't love the chance to win a prize-especially when it's a copy of PassPorter's Walt Disney World 2013! This book is full of everything you need to know to plan your next trip to Walt Disney World. What do you have to do to win this must have book? Just click on the link PassPorter's Guidebook Give Away .  It's just that easy! The contest runs from now until August 20th at midnight!. Thanks again to Deb at Focused on the Magic for inviting to be a part of the magic. Good luck to everyone!

Gayle is a Disney Gal that loves churros for breakfast, still gets giddy with delight at the first sight of the “Disneyland next exit sign”, loves the overwhelming emotions and memories that come with each and every return to the Happiest Place on Earth and dreams of one day being the Captain of the Jungle Boat. To learn more about Gayle, click here