So we all know by now that Toy Story Land was announced at D23 last month for the Hollywood Studios. What we don't know are many facts about what when and where. So lets look at what we know so far. Lets start with What. We know that it will be themed to look like Andy's Backyard. We are getting two new attractions Slinky Dogs Roller Coaster and Alien Flying Saucers that as far as I can tell are a double set of tea cup rides. We are also getting a second track for Toy Story Midway Mania to try and get that wait time down below a 3 day wait. So that leads us to where. It's all taking place on the right hand side of the park with Midway Mania being on the lands far left hand side. So this means no more sound stages in the Studios. Also with Animation and the Back Lot closed and if the rumors are true Little Mermaid and One Mans Dream Closing this month we can Guess the Entrance would start right off the hub. And then we get to When. Well we don't know they didn't give us any idea. But if i had to guess it will go like this. both Star Wars and Toy Story will start construction around the same time. However Star Wars will begin with construction in back stage areas leaving the left hand side of the park untouched to guest till Toy Story is done as to not impact the park to bad. I would say from groundbreaking till open Toy Story should not take more then a year and a few months. Well that's all opinion we'll just have to wait and see.
One of the most loved food offering in the Disney Parks is Le Cellier's Cheddar Cheese Soup. Some make reservations months in advance just for this soup. And others wait till food and wine comes around just to stand in line for a hour just for a shot of this magic brew. But I say no more! just make it at home. It's pretty easy and fun to make.Below is a list of what you'll need and how its done if you try it send me a pic and I'll make a follow up post showing it off for you. I will also be doing a video on making the soup in the near future.
The only two places you could get the soup until now.
Ingredients
3 cups whole milk, warmed
10 tbsp butter
1/2 pound smoked bacon – finely chopped
1/2 cup celery – finely chopped
1/2 cup carrot – finely chopped
1 medium-size red onion – finely chopped
2 cups chicken stock, warmed
1 tsp of Tabasco sauce
1/2 cup Dark Ale (or for a stout Guinness is best)
12 oz. shredded white cheddar cheese
1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
salt and pepper to taste
chopped chives as garnish
Optional: add butter (8-10 tbsp)
Directions
1.) Saute’ bacon until soft. Not brown and crisp
2.) Add the celery, carrots, and onions and bacon into a large pot.
3.) Add in flour and stir for 2-3 minutes. Then slowly pour in your milk and chicken stock.
4.) Get to a boil, cover the pot and let it simmer over low heat for 15 minutes.
5.) Take the cover off, remove from heat, and carefully whisk in your Worcestershire sauce, dark ale beer, Tabasco Sauce, and cheese. Also salt and pepper and butter to your taste.
6.) Once the cheese is melted, simply serve. Spread some chopped chives on top and serve with your favorite choice of bread.
This visit to the Shack takes us to the entrance of the Magic Kingdoms. The first thing we see every visit as soon as we pass the turnstiles... The Mickey flower beds. After the castles this landmark is the second most photographed spot in the Magic Kingdoms. The Look of Mickey has changed over the years including the types of plants that make up his face but the message is still the same... Welcome!
Mickey has been in front of the parks all the way back since 1955.
Disneyland's Mickey from 2007. Day and Night.
Disney World's Mickey changes with the weather.
Halloween with Mickey and a little illumination.
Christmas Mickey. He became a ornament some time around 2010.
We all know the Disney song The Ballad of Davy Crockett. But did you know he Played the fiddle? And did you know it's still in existence? There is even a CD recording of Dean Shostak Playing it. Dean is a musician from Williamsburg Virginia who is known for being one of the only people in the world to know how to play the Glass Armonica among other Glass instruments. But on this album its all fiddle and its the real one Davy owned. The songs are of the American folk style from several generations. You can see the track list below. The last track is the most unique. It features three songs about Davy Crockett from three different time periods the third being Disney's version. It's a surreal experience to hear the song we all know and love but this time on his own fiddle. So now I share that experience with you. Just watch below or check it out on the Manifesting the Magic YouTube page.
1. Perry's Victory
2. Yankee Doodle
3. Amazing Grace
4. Speed The Plow
5. Hunters of Kentucky
6. Shenandoah
7. Turkey in the Straw
8. Haste to the Wedding
9. German Waltz
10. The President's March
11. Home Sweet Home
12. Durang's Hornpipe/ College Hornpipe
13. Jefferson and Liberty
14. Soldier's Joy/ Bonaparte's Retreat
15. Duke of Kent Waltz
16. Cindy
17. The Girl I Left Behind Me/ Leather Breeches
18. Rock of Ages
19. Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes
20. Star Spangled Banner
21. The Legend of Davy Crockett
Another visit to the family vault this time. We travel back to 1984 less then two years after EPCOT Center was open. A very nice look at the old Future world from across World Showcase. Look how different the paint schemes and foliage are. Thanks Again to my Grandfather for taking this photo 31 years ago.
The tag line to this article should be " Complete Merger of my childhood" or "I can die happy now" or "Just take my money now". All three of those would work great cause this is kind of a big deal. This past weekend at D23 it was announced that both Disneyland and Disney's Hollywood Studios would be getting the Largest park expansion in history Star Wars Land. Not many facts are out yet but we know that we are getting two brand new areas themed to new locations in the Star Wars Universe. We can look forward to drinking blue milk as there will be a cantina. We will get to ride in the Millennium Falcon all though how is still unclear, hopefully some new ride tech and not the crutch of video projection that they have relied on with two many new attractions. And we will meet all sorts of new creatures and old faces as we travel these new areas. I for one and very excited though a little worried to see what will be lost to this expansion. We know Thunder Ranch is going away which is sad i liked that little area but i understand the need. Will Indianan Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular be gone at Studios also it's been a rumor as long as Star Wars Land has been one over a decade ago. Time will tell but you can bet I'll cover it here at Manifesting the Magic so stay tuned.
The Magic Kingdom has some of the best themed counter service restaurants anywhere. And Pecos Bills Tall Tale Inn and Cafe is very high on that list. Set in a southwestern style building, with several different facades depending what direction you approach Pecos has the Unique honor of being the only place to sit and eat in Frontierland. Themed around the old legend himself everything inside is a reference to Peco and his Folk Hero friends. Including the ax Paul Bunyan gave Peco when he opened the Inn and Cafe. One feature that I'm always a fan of is taking the guest to another time or place. Pecos does just that with one of its back seating rooms. It is themed to make you feel like you are outside at night in a small south Texas village courtyard. And don't forget the food. Normal counter service fair but oh the Fixins Bar. cooked mushrooms fresh veggies and cooked onions. The best burger for your buck in the Magic Kingdom. So next time you exit the Country Bear Jamboree or are waiting for a Florida summer shower to pass so you can get on Big Thunder and not worry about being struck by lighting, head in to Pecos Bills Tall Tale Inn and Cafe and some Disney Dining. As a added bonus on the Manifesting the Magic YouTube page I added the song Pecos Bill. Check it out here at this link or at the bottom of the page. Youtube Page
Soups/Salads
Southwest Chicken Salad - Mixed Greens, chicken,
Monterrey jack cheese, tomato, roasted corn, jalapenos
and chipotle ranch $10.99
Combination Meals
Karubi Style Short Ribs - with coleslaw and choice of
corn on the cob, apple slices or french fries $14.19
Barbecued Pork Sandwich - with choice of
corn on the cob, apple slices, or French fries $10.29
1/3-Pound Angus Bacon Cheeseburger - with choice of
corn on the cob, apple slices, or French fries $10.69
Deluxe Chicken Sandwich - with choice of
corn on the cob, apple slices, or French fries $10.79
Vegetable Burger - with choice of
corn on the cob, apple slices, or French fries $9.99
Side Dishes
Chili Cheese Fries $4.99
French Fries $2.99
Chili $3.79
Corn on the Cob $2.19
For Children Ages 3-9
Uncrustables PB&J - with grapes and carrot sticks, and
choice of: small lowfat Milk or small bottled water $5.49
BBQ Pork Sandwich - with grapes and carrot sticks and
choice of small lowfat milk or small bottled water $5.99
Turkey Sandwich - with grapes and carrot sticks, and
choice of: small lowfat Milk or small bottled water $5.99
Grilled Cheese - with grapes and carrot sticks and
choice of small lowfat milk or small bottled water $5.99
Hamburger - with grapes and carrot sticks, and
choice of: small lowfat Milk or small bottled water $5.99
Desserts
Chocolate or Carrot Cake $4.19
Greek Yogurt $3.19
Beverages
Mickey Straw $.59
Soft Drinks - Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Iced tea,
Apple Juice, Light Lemonade $2.99 / $3.29
Soft Drinks served in a Souvenir Cup -
Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Iced tea,
Apple Juice, Light Lemonade $7.79
Bottled Water $2.75
Orange Juice $3.99
Lowfat Milk $1.79
Chocolate Milk $2.59
Coffee - Regular, Decaf $2.29
Hot Cocoa, Hot Tea $2.29
Strawberry Lemonade Slush $3.99
Strawberry Lemonade Slush - served in a souvenir boot $8.99
Head over to the Manifesting the Magic YouTube page to check out our latest video. We go for a quick ride from The Contemporary Resort to The Wilderness Lodge aboard Navigator. One of the six water launches that traverses the waterways of the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake.
We are just about a month and a half away from the Food and Wine Festival so what better time to take a look at this years band list. Many of the recent regulars reaper along with some new faces take a look and leave a comment about who you want to see or who you wish would be on the list but isn't. When the Festival starts the performances will be at 5:00 pm, 6:45 pm, and 8:00 pm. And as always see you at the Festival.
The Manifesting the Magic Blog would like to take a moment to recognize the Disney Legend Class of 2015. Thanks for your commitment to excellence and making the Disney name ever stronger.
A brand new place to dine at the kingdom was just confirmed at D23. The Jungle Navigation Co., Ltd. Skipper Canteen . Opening later this year you can enjoy some "World Famous Jungle Cuisine."
Taking over the old Adventureland Veranda this new dining destination will have themed rooms and the servers will be dressed as skippers of the jungle cruise, Look forward to hearing more about this new location as the details come out.
Last week we celebrated Coronado Springs 18th birthday and I promised a resort overview... well here it is. The Coronado Springs Resort was open on August 1st 1997. She has 1,921 Rooms, 220,000 square feet of conference space , and offers more activities than we can write about here.
The rooms are located in three themed areas. They are the Casitas, the Ranchos and the Cabanas. The Castitas are actually the largest of the three areas housing over 1,000 of the 1,921 rooms. They have very colorful courtyards to walk through and even some beautiful fountains and topiary. Next going clockwise we find the Ranchos. This is my favorite section. they are very rustic and the theming is top. It even has a dry river bed that runs through the area. And lastly are the Cabanas, these two story buildings have great views and a cool bungalow feel.
Food is also a reason to visit the Coronado. Two amazing sit down restaurants and several pool bars and lounges are all warm and inviting. Although you may run into a convention crowd in a few of the bars so hope for a slow convention crowd when you visit. The two restaurants are Maya Grill which offers Mexican and southwestern American Cuisine. And The Pepper Market, a combination sit down and food court dining experience. Guest visit several stands where they have their meals made for them and get a stamp on their meal card that they use to pay at the end.
And lastly we dive into the actives and boy do they have them. Firstly they have the Dig Site a large pool, playground, bar, arcade, and volleyball complex all in the shadow of a 5 story tall pyramid. And at the top of that pyramid starts a 123 ft water slide. Apart from the Dig Site pool there are three smaller pools one in each of the themed room areas. The Marina offers boat and bike rentals and even fishing excursions. there is so much more including a fitness center, a salon, movies under the stars and on and on.
In short this is one of the most beautiful of the Disney Resorts and one that though considered moderate would fit in with the big boys up in the deluxe level with no problem. The only thing holding her back besides the cheaper rate then a deluxe would be that her size does require a bus loop within the resort to get from the room areas to the lobby where the bus to the parks leave from. this is a common moderate resort offering also found in several other resorts such as Caribbean Beach. But you can still walk from one end to the other in less then 10 mins, and this Resort is so beautiful you may just want to do that. Maybe more then once.
