Thursday, December 5, 2013

Disney's Port Orleans Riverside

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Port Orleans Riverside is a beautiful resort. The deep south mansion-like setting is breath taking. Right over the bridge from the main lobby you see what looks like mansions from the south. The manors as they are called have amazing split stairs going up to the second level. I like to take the boat transportation instead of the bus to downtown Disney at night. The lights are gorgeous on the front of the mansions.





 How about an early dinner at Boatwright's and finishing with a carriage ride to start your evening off with a touch of romance or just a great way to see around the resort with the whole family.
 Try to save one day for the two hour fishing excursion. Reservations need to be made at least two or three days in advance. Your very own fishing guide will bait the hook and even remove the fish for you. All you need to do is wait and reel your fish in. A great time, go ahead and let the guys brag about who is going to catch the largest fish. This mom caught the largest one on our fishing excursion.

 Port Orleans Riverside has something for everyone.



Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Disney Pin Trading 101 by Travel Time with Mickey

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What is Disney Pin Trading?
Disney Pin Trading is an exciting, interactive experience where our Guests can trade Disney pins with our Disney Cast Members and other Guests. It's fun for the whole family and CREATES cherished "pin pals" to last a lifetime! Start a new collection or exchange pins for the ones you've always wanted.
How can I experience the magic?
It's simple and fun! Just visit Walt Disney World, the Disneyland Resort or Disneyland Paris, locate a Cast Member wearing a lanyard with Disney pins and find a pin you'd like. Then present another Disney pin to the Cast Member in trade. Bringing home the magic is that simple. Plus, we have some quick and easy
guidelines to help you trade at each park.
"The Trading Tradition"
Disney has always offered collectible Disney pins in each of its parks, but with the kickoff of the Millennium Celebration in October 1999 at Walt Disney World, we began a new tradition of Disney Pin Trading. Now thousands of Guests trade each day with our Cast Members as well as other Guests throughout the parks and resorts. Like sharing Disney stories with your children and grandchildren, sharing pins is a delightful tradition for each generation. Mark the beginning of the century with pins you love and memories you'll treasure.
Which ones should I collect or trade?
The fun of Disney Pin Trading is in the amazing variety. Find YOUR FAVORITE pins to personalize your Disney experience. Guests of all ages can hunt for favorite characters, attractions and features. Whether it's the Little Mermaid or Mickey Mouse you seek, pin hunting is guaranteed to add thrills to your Disney adventure. Go find the pins you want and make some new friends! It is all up to you! Have fun! Disney Pin Trading is a great way to share the magic and bring home wonderful Disney memories.

Pin Trading has become a Disney tradition with thousands of Guests and Cast Members trading in the Theme Parks and at special locations throughout Walt Disney World® Resort. Pin Traders can also participate in special events, meeting fellow enthusiasts and finding special-edition pins that make their collections unique. For younger Pin Traders there are Cast Members wearing green lanyards that can only trade with Guests 12 and under. Pin Trading is an experience the whole family can enjoy!

Be sure to ask Cast Members wearing a pin-trading lanyard about special "Hidden Mickey" collectible pins only available from them in trade.

Getting started on Disney pin trading is easy! Just follow these simple steps:

1. Look for a Disney Cast Member wearing a pin trading lanyard.
2. Find a Disney pin with your favorite Disney attraction, event or character.
3. Trade Disney pins with the Cast Member.

Visit these Walt Disney World® Resort locations to be a part of this great interactive tradition:
  • Magic Kingdom® Park - Uptown Jewelers and Frontierland Trading Post
  • Epcot® - Pin Central
  • Disney's Hollywood Studios™ - The Sorcerer's Hat
  • Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park - Island Mercantile
  • Downtown Disney® Marketplace - Disney's Pin Traders

Please note ~ pins are not toys and have sharp points that can harm young children and are not recommended for children 3 and under.

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Gingerbread Cookie~ Recipe!!!

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Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa 
Makes 36 cookies

Ingredients
2 sticks softened butter
2 1/2 cups confectioner’s sugar, sifted
2 eggs
1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 2/3 cups all purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 1/4 teaspoons ground coriander
2 teaspoons ground star anise
1 teaspoon ground fennel
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground clove
1/4 teaspoon ground mace
Ingredients for decorations optional
1/4 cup milk
1 cup colored sugar granules

Directions

  1. Cream the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl until smooth using an electric mixer. Add the eggs and mix until combined.
  2. Sift all the remaining dry ingredients in a separate large mixing bowl and mix well. With the mixer on low, slowly add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture until a dough forms
  3. Remove dough from the bowl and wrap in plastic wrap; place in refrigerator until firm, two to four hours.
  4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease cookie sheets.
  5. Remove dough from refrigerator and allow dough to sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes, until pliable. Divide dough in half and place on floured work surface. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out until about 1/8 inch thick. While rolling, flour the work surface and rolling pin as needed.
  6. Cut out desired cookie shapes with cookie cutters. Transfer cookies to a greased cookie sheet, placing them 1 inch apart.
  7. Lightly brush cookies with milk and sprinkle with sugar granules as desired.
  8. Bake until firm and edges begin to darken, 10-14 minutes. Allow cookies to cool on the cookie sheet for a minute, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.