Gardner's Shack: Vintage Resort Landscaping

To finish are look at these vintage landscape photos from the late 80s or early 90s, I wanted to show the few resort shots that were in the collection. Three from the Contemporary. All focused on the long entrance area of the resort and it's amazing upside-down cup topiaries.

 

One photo from the Polynesian Resort. The original lobby with its waterfalls and lush jungle. This was replaced in recent years with a very open and minimalistic look that is nice but in my opinion, doesn't set the theme very well. It's a Polynesian Village not a Polynesian office complex.

Lastly a few lobby shots from the at the time brand new Grand Floridian. Live plants and live flowers need I say more. However, would have liked to see some pictures of the lawns in the early days to compare how they look now. They are always well-manicured but I bet they were amazing back then.

 

 

Disney Dining At Home: Butternut Squash Bisque from Victoria & Albert’s

Butternut Squash Bisque

from Victoria & Albert’s at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

Ingredients:

2 tbls Butter

2 tbls Shallots, chopped

1 tbls Garlic, chopped

½ cup Celery, chopped

½ cup Carrots, chopped

½ cup Onions, chopped

8 cups Butternut squash, peeled, chopped

1 pinch Thyme

1 pinch Basil

1 pinch Oregano

1 bay leaf

4 cups Chicken stock

16 ounces Heavy cream

Method:

1. In a 4-quart pot heat butter over medium heat until hot.

2. Add the next 10 ingredients.

3. Sauté for five minutes.

4. Deglaze the pot with the chicken stock.

5. Add the heavy cream.

6. Let soup simmer, uncovered, over low heat for 1-1/2 to 2 hours.

7. Puree in a blender.

8. Strain the soup through a strainer lined with cheesecloth.

9. Place soup back into a clean 4-quart pot.

10. Return the pot to the stove over low heat.

11. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper and serve.

Recipe found at AllEars.Net

Disney Day in History: Groundbreaking on the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

April 23 1986, Groundbreaking began on what would be called the new flagship resort of Walt Disney World, The Grand Floridian. I however believe the Contemporary will all ways hold that title as it has always had a special place in Disney fandom and in our hearts, but this is about the Grand so I digress. It would take two years and two months to build the Grand Floridian, opening on June 28 1988. One fun fact is that the land she was built on was already cleared before construction began. This was because it was reserved from opening day for the Asian Resort that never came to be. I have Included some images of the land that was cleared and a concept piece of what the Asian would look like.

This Square of land was made for the Asian Resort but later used for the Grand Floridian Resort.

Concept art of what the Asian Resort would look like.

The top of this early concept art map show the Asian Resort. Later home to the Grand.

60 Days of Disneyween: Day 27

Holiday window shopping at the Grand.

60 Days of Disneyween: Day 17

Don't forget to wash up with some holiday soap from Basin at 

Downtown Disney or at the Grand Floridian's store.

On Canvas: Resort Series, The Grand and Caribbean Beach

#4 in the Resort Series. The Grand Floridian Resort

#5 in the Resort Series. Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort

Making Memories: Sail in Grand style

Even with the fact that The Grand Floridian is one of my least favorite resorts it still has some cool things to see and do. This includes sailing like in the picture above, relaxing to the swinging sounds of the band in the lobby, or purchasing a gingerbread cookie from inside a real life size gingerbread house during the holiday season. the point is ( to quote the Enchanted Tiki Room) that every cloud has a silver lining.