The perfect compliment to a cookout on a hot summer day is this chilled Strawberry Soup which comes from 1900 Park Fare in the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. It’s an easy recipe and a crowd pleaser. Plus it’s the perfect time of year for this soup as strawberries are abundant just about everywhere. Give it a try.
Mix frozen strawberries, heavy cream, sour cream and yogurt in a large bowl. Beat slowly until well mixed with a smooth consistency. Chill and then mix well before serving. Add fresh strawberries halves as garnish.
If there’s a video out there that will make you REALLY want to go back to Walt Disney World and eat to your heart’s content, this is the one. Check out this YouTube video replay of the “Walt Disney World UNWRAPPED” episode with Marc Summers narrating this food tour of Walt Disney World. Marc covers everything about Walt Disney World across all the parks in about 5-minutes. It’s a superb overview of the tasty treats that await you on your next vacation.
If you aren’t extremely hungry for a Mickey Ice Cream Bar by the time this video is over, there’s something wrong with you. My September trip couldn’t come soon enough!
Next time you visit the Animal Kingdom Lodge, stop in for one of the best cups of coffee in Walt Disney World. Served at Boma (and In-Room Dining if you’re lucky enough to be staying at the Lodge), the Kenya AA coffee is served in a press pot and is a great start to your day for less than $7.00 per pot.
Kenya AA is considered the finest grade of coffee from Kenya and it has a very intense taste and what many call a ‘winey flavor.’ You’ll also see “world’s finest” when searching online for Kenya AA so you know it’s good stuff.
So, next time you’re vacationing in Disney, stop at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and try some of the best coffee in Disney and the world! Or, if you’re not near Disney, there are a few places to purchase online like Amazon or try your local gourmet coffee shop. Enjoy!
Recipe: Cottage Pie
Disney Location: Rose and Crown Pub, United Kingdom (EPCOT)
Cottage Pie is a traditional English dish that is served at the Rose and Crown Pub in the United Kingdom (EPCOT.) Basically it’s a Shepherd’s Pie but instead of using lamb the Cottage Pie is made with beef as the main ingredient. Topped off with some made-from-scratch mashed potatoes, this is a winner for the whole family.
Here’s what you’ll need:
1/4 cup Butter
1 cup Diced Onion
1 1/2 pounds Lean Ground Beef
Salt and Freshly Ground Pepper (to taste)
1/4 teaspoon Ground Savory
1 cup Brown Gravy
2 cups Mashed Potatoes
Additional Butter
Heat 1/4 cup butter in a 9-inch skillet. Add onion and cook until lightly browned, stirring. Add beef, salt, pepper and savory and continue cooking 5 minutes longer. Stir in gravy and heat until bubbling. Spoon into a buttered 8-cup flat casserole dish. Top meat mixture with mashed potatoes. Dot with pieces of butter. Bake at 400°F for 15 to 20 minutes or until potatoes are lightly browned.
As always, the quality of the ingredients will improve the taste of the dish. Make sure you take the extra time to make your own mashed potatoes as the boxed instant kind doesn’t quite give you the right taste.
There are many ways to save money when you’re dining in Walt Disney World and below are some of the best ways we’ve been able to find. Take advantage of some of these tips and make your next trip to Disney a little easier on the wallet.
• Buy fruit at the fruit stands located throughout the parks for under $4 per item
• Share a counter service meal since most Disney portions are huge
• If you’re an Annual Passholder you’ll be able to receive 10% off at many restaurants
• For the least expensive Character breakfast try Chef Mickey (Contemporary Resort) or Ohana (Polynesian Resort)
• Eat a late breakfast and consider it breakfast AND lunch (same for a late lunch)
• Order from the kids menu at the counter service restaurants (can’t do this at sit down restaurants though)
• Consider the Disney Dining Plan for your length of stay
• Want a really good inexpensive lunch? Try “Earl of Sandwich” at Downtown Disney.
• Try dining outside of Disney as many local restaurants offer really good deals
• Best buffet deal in Disney? “Trails End Buffet” at the Fort Wilderness Campground.
• Order a-la-carte at the counter service restaurants if the meal has something you don’t want. It will be cheaper.
• If you’re staying at a Disney resort, purchase the Refillable Mug for $11.99 plus tax and for the rest of your stay the drinks (sodas, ice tea, coffee) are FREE.
• Eat breakfast at your hotel room by buying breakfast foods at local grocery stores and making coffee (most Disney hotels offer a coffeemaker)
• Bring small snacks with you into the parks
• Have an AAA membership? Bring your ID card to the Swan and Dolphin as many of the restaurants in those resorts will give you a 20% discount
• Drink a lot of water? Go to the local grocery store and buy 6-packs or cases of bottled water. It’s much cheaper than paying $2.50/bottle at the parks.
Have some more tips? I would love to hear them so email or comment!
Try and think of dining in Disney without the word “buffet” popping into your head. You probably can’t do it and that’s not such a bad thing. If I were a betting man, I would bet that there’s a large percentage of vacationers that hit at least one buffet while they’re in Walt Disney World. But, one thing is for sure, it’s tough to pinpoint the best buffets as all of them have their good and bad points. What’s even tougher is to give you a ‘top 10′ list since the meals can be very different so I thought it would probably be a better idea to tell you what I think are the best Breakfast buffets and which are the best Dinner buffets across the different parks and resorts. So take a look and give a few of them a try!
Here’s what I consider the “Best Breakfast Buffets in Walt Disney World”
1. Chef Mickey (Contemporary Resort): This one is a no brainer. Chef Mickey gives you not only a great selection of breakfast foods but also gives you great atmosphere and all of the traditional Disney characters (Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, etc.) If you have kids and your family enjoys a good breakfast then make sure you make reservations for Chef Mickey. But remember, it books up fast so make your reservations as far out as possible (up to 180-days.)
2. Boma (Animal Kingdom Lodge): Boma breakfast is so very different from any other morning buffet that I’m ranking it high because of the variety it offers and the outstanding flavors you’ll encounter in their selections. Starting off your morning with some West African Frunch (which is a combination of different fruit juices) is a great way to get your day going. In addition, Boma offers a wide variety of pastries, fruits and cereals to match just about any pallete. And to top it off they have a great variety of hot items from omelets, waffles and pancakes to Brioche (French Toast w/ raisins), Bobotie (a combination of corn beef, eggs, cream, potato and onion) and some superb breakfast pizzas! Oh, and did I mention the BEST coffee in Walt Disney World is served here which is the Kenyan AA served in a coffee press? Boma has something for everyone and is a must try breakfast buffet!
3. Crystal Palace (Magic Kingdom): The Crystal palace breakfast is pretty much on the same level as Chef Mickey but you’ll see different characters (Pooh, Tigger, Piglet and Eeyore) and have a food selection that is more traditional to the American style buffet (eggs, sausage, bacon, pancakes, waffles, etc.) Still, the Crystal Palace is an old favorite for those who’ve been visiting Walt Disney World for many years and as always it’s very popular so get your reservations made as far in advance as you can. The added benefit is that if you can get an early enough reservation you’ll have the priviledge of walking down Main Street USA ahead of the rest of the guests who can’t get into the park until it officially opens. That opens up some great photo opportunities in front of the castle!
4. 1900 Park Fare Supercalifragilistic Breakfast (Grand Floridian Resort): The great part about this buffet (other than the food) is that you get to see some characters that are sometimes tough to find. Here you’ll see the Alice, Eeyore, Tigger, the Mad Hatter, Mary Poppins and Pooh and it’s a great time for the kids (especially the younger ones.) Breakfast is excellent with build your own Omelets, Challah bread French Toast, Mickey Waffles, Blueberry Pancakes and tons more. A fun place for breakfast with great atmosphere. Bring your appetite!
5. Hollywood & Vine – Character Breakfast Buffet (MGM Studios): For the kids that love to watch Playhouse Disney in the morning, this is a must place to go for breakfast. A great list of characters including JoJo and Goliath and the Little Einsteins makes this a fun event where you eat pretty good all American breakfast buffet foods and dance with the characters. The food was pretty much the basics, but very good. Scrambled eggs, sausage and bacon, biscuits, Mickey Waffles, etc. Only issue was that it can get hectic and loud here so if you want a quieter kids buffet then you might want to try the Crystal Palace or 1900 Park Fare. They also host a lunch buffet here with the same characters but I’ve been told it’s not quite as good as the breakfast so check the menu items before booking this one for lunch.
6. Cape May Character Breakfast (Beach Club Resort): A very nice buffet at the Beach Club Resort with some of everyone’s favorite characters in Goofy, Minnie and Chip and Dale. Traditional American type breakfast fare and a nice atmosphere. Probably not on par with Chef Mickey or 1900 Park Fare, but a nice buffet if you’re staying on or near the resort.
Here’s what I consider the “Top Dinner Buffets in Walt Disney World”
1. Boma (Animal Kingdom Lodge): Boma is in a class of it’s own. It is one of the most popular buffets in Walt Disney World as it has a very wide selection of foods that you won’t find at any other buffet, either at home or in Disney. The Chefs do a great job of incorporating an African flare into the selections as they use a lot of the native herbs, spices and recipes that many are not accustomed to here in the states. In my opinion Boma is a really great buffet for just about anyone who likes to try different things. The array of different salads and soups, a carving station of different wood roasted meats, great side items and desserts to DIE for make this place a winner in my book. The biggest problem is that the main dinner items are so good that you forget to leave room for dessert! The atmosphere is very unique and the staff are always very nice and eager to please. Truly a very good restaurant for the entire family. And by the way, the kids section of the buffet has Chicken Fingers, Mac and Cheese, etc so don’t be afraid the kids won’t have anything to eat.
2. Chef Mickey (Contemporary Resort): It’s really a tie for the award for best dinner buffet in Walt Disney World. Boma in my view is probably the best ‘Non-American Fare’ buffet but Chef Mickey takes the cake for the overall award. The food is tremendous including favorites such as Spice Rubbed Prime Rib, Oven-Roasted Bone-in Ham, Tamarind Glazed Salmon and a great selection of dishes incorporating chicken, turkey and pasta (depending on the day.) The accompaniments are equally as good with, among others, the popular Pamesan Mashed Potatoes and Garlic Steamed Broccoli Polonaise. The kids will love their side of the buffet as well which has chicken, pizza, mac and cheese, and some other kid pleasers. And, last but not least, save room for the after dinner Sundae and Dessert Bar with soft serve, cakes, pies and cookies! Add in Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, Chip and Dale and it’s a great time with great food and a buffet that can’t be missed. Reservations for normal dinner times (5-7pm) can be tough to come by some make the reservations well in advance!
3. Crystal Palace (Magic Kingdom): Inspired by the original glass and iron building erected in London over 150 years ago, Disney’s Crystal Palace has become one of the most popular dinner spots in the Magic Kingdom, where you’re joined by Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore and Piglet for a great time and great food! Although it can become quite crowded, there’s a reason and it’s mainly the food. Everything from Prime Rib and Roasted Turkey at the carving stations to seafood and pasta make this buffet one of the best in Walt Disney World. Bring your appetite and have fun!
4. Biergarten (Germany-EPCOT): You’ve got to love a restaurant where it’s Oktoberfest EVERY DAY! This place puts on a great show and the food is fantastic. Just about every kind of sausage you could think of is represented in some fashion mixed in with other favorites such as roasted chicken, roasted pork, salmon and much more. And, after dinner you’ll be amazed by the great desserts which includes Black Forest Cake, Bavarian Cheesecake, and the popular Apple Strudel. You’ll certainly walk (or roll) out of this buffet very very full.
5. Cinderella’s Gala Feast at 1900 Park Fare (Grand Floridian Resort): Just as the breakfast is one of the best buffets so is the dinner. The characters you’ll encounter are a little different (you’ll meet Cinderella, Prince Charming, Suzy & Perla and the Fairy Godmother) but the dinner is equally as good. They have an excellent lineup including Prime Rib, Turkey, Salmon, Curry Chicken and Lasagna matched with some great accompaniments, soups and starters. Atmosphere is very nice and ‘elegant’ at 1900 Park Fare and it’s a nice evening for the entire family.
6. Cape May Cafe Clam Bake Dinner Buffet (Beach Club Resort): Don’t let the name confuse you. Yes, this is a really nice buffet for the seafood fan but it has much to offer the land lubber. The Cape May Cafe Clam Bake is located within the Beach Club Resort which is across the waterway from the Boardwalk Resort and it’s what I consider a hidden gem. For the seafood lover you’ll find such things as Clams with Garlic Butter, Mussels with Roasted Tomato Butter, Peel & Eat Shrimp and the fish of the day. On the other side you’ll find a Prime Rib carving station along with BBQ Ribs and a selection of accompaniments, salads and soups. So, if you have a few members of your party that love seafood and some that don’t then definitely give this one a try as it has something for everyone.
Honorable Mention: Trail’s End Buffet (Fort Wilderness)
Welcome to the Wonderful World of Disney ICE CREAM! One of the best sundaes in Walt Disney World is the “No Way Jose” served at ‘Beaches and Cream‘ which is located at the Beach Club Resort. Tucked along the walkway near the resort pool is this very popular little soda shop which has great sandwiches and spectacular ice cream sundaes. One of the most popular sundaes (outside of the “Kitchen Sink” of course) is the one pictured above. There’s nothing better to top off a great day at the parks then sharing (or eating by yourself if you can handle it) this perfect ice cream treat.
If you can find an ice cream glass to fit everything that would be best, however a large bowl will do. Just add a few scoops of ice cream to your bowl followed by some Peanut Butter Topping and a little bit of Hot Fudge. Add the rest of the ice cream and more Peanut Butter topping and Hot Fudge to taste. Top it off with a good amount of Reddi-Wip Whipped Cream and some Peanut Butter and Chocolate Morsels and top it off with a cherry and there you go!
Make sure you purchase good quality Ice Cream since we’re trying to replicate Disney’s version of the sundae. It’s also a must to have really good Peanut Butter topping made specifically for ice cream. If you use plain old peanut butter you won’t get the full effect as the topping is much sweeter. There are a lot of different recipes online to make the topping so Google it or you might be able to find it at your local grocery store. Also, don’t skimp on the Hot Fudge. The better the quality the better the sundae will be so make sure you go with a good brand like Hershey’s or Smuckers.
Have fun with it and bring a little Disney dessert to your home this weekend!!
(P.S. Thanks to our friend “Wazzo” (from DISBoards.com) for providing this great picture!!)
As I write this I’m about 3-days into my Nutrisystem diet and I’m a little hungry from the tiny dinner I just had and my tummy is screaming for some cheesy goodness. So if I can’t eat it I might as well write about the Macaroni and Cheese from Jiko in the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Next time you’re there for dinner try out the Oak Grilled Filet Mignon which comes with a nice portion of this classic side dish. You’ll love it!
Here’s what you’ll need:
1/4 cup Butter
1/4 cup Flour
1 quart Milk (the full fat stuff!)
1 1/4 cups Quattro Fromage (which is basically a mixture of Asiago, Provolone, Fontina, and Gruyere cheeses)
2 pounds Elbow Macaroni
Prepare the macaroni according to the directions on the package. Make a roux with the flour and butter over low heat. Bring the milk to a simmer and work in the roux. Add cheese and salt to taste. Pour over the macaroni and heat through in a moderate oven.
If I can’t enjoy it because of my diet (at least for now) then I hope you do!
One of the funnest places to eat in Walt Disney World is the 50s Prime Time Cafe which is located in Disneys MGM Studios. This themed restaurant is made to look like you were dropped into a 1950’s kitchen with all your other relatives (many of whom you’ve never met before!) Be sure to keep you elbows off the table and eat all your green beans or Mom will get upset.
Taken right from Mom’s cookbook, this Meatloaf recipe is a classic. Give it a try and do Mom proud!
Ingredients:
2 lb Ground Beef
1 lb Ground Pork
4 Eggs
1 cup Seasoned Bread Crumbs
½ cup Diced Onions
1/4 cup Diced Green Peppers
1/4 cup Diced Red Peppers
2 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
Cracked Black Pepper (to taste)
Kosher Salt (to taste)
½ cup Meatloaf Glaze (see recipe below)
Dice peppers and onions and set aside for later use. Combine meats and seasonings. Add vegetables. Place meat mixture in oiled loaf pan. Bake at 350º F oven for 1 hour (internal temperature should be 155º). Remove meatloaf and brush with meatloaf glaze (see recipe below.) Bake another 10 minutes, remove from oven and set aside for 10 minutes. Cut loaf and serve.
Meatloaf Glaze Ingredients:
½ cup Ketchup
1 Tbsp Brown Sugar
1 Tsp Dijon Mustard
½ Tsp Worcestershire Sauce
(Combine all ingredients until mixture is smooth.)
As you’re heading towards Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World you’ll come across this little gem of a snack shop where you find the famed DOLE WHIP (which is basically Pinapple Soft Serve ice cream.) Below I’ve added two different recipes for this refreshing treat. The first recipe below requires an ice cream maker so make sure you have one or can borrow one.
Mix the pineapple juice and sugar making sure that the sugar is completely dissolved. Next add the cream and vanilla. Pour the whole mixture into the Ice Cream freezer container. Add milk to finish filling to the “fill line”. At this point simply follow the instructions on your ice cream maker. When the ice cream is ready you can serve it as is — or you can stick it in the freezer for a while and let it set up a bit.
RECIPE#2
2 cans DOLE Crushed Pineapple (20oz cans)
2 tablespoons Lemon Juice
2 tablespoons Lime Juice
1/3 cup Sugar
1-1/2 cups Heavy Whipping Cream (whipped )
Drain pineapple from the cans and reserve 2 tablespoons of the juice. Set aside. Place the pineapple, lemon juice, lime juice, sugar and reserved pineapple juice in blender or food processor container. Cover and blend until smooth. Pour into two 1-quart freezer ziplock bags. Store bags flat in freezer. Freeze for 90-minutes or until slushy. Take bags out from freezer and in a large bowl stir pineapple slush gently into whipped cream until slightly blended. Return to freezer until completely frozen (about 1 hour) and serve.
Ok, you’re walking around the Magic Kingdom and it’s about 2:00pm and you don’t have dinner reservations until 7:00pm because everything was booked up. You’ve got to find a snack somewhere in one of these magical lands to tie you over but where do you go? Do you reach in your pocket for that stick of gum hoping it will get you to dinner? Hardly. How about the screaming kids who can only eat so many Cheerios? I think if you try one of these tasty Disney snacks (ranked in no particular order) you’ll definitely be in good shape!
1. Citrus Swirl (Sunshine Tree Terrace – Adventureland): This is one of those Disney treats that will go down in history as ‘an oldie but a goodie!’ On those hot summer days the Sunshine Tree Terrace in Adventureland is one of the places that we head straight to as you cannot beat the all natural Florida orange juice that makes up this delicious treat. The frozen orange juice is good by itself but it’s even better with that swirl of vanilla soft serve wrapped around it! You are not a true Walt Disney World fan unless you try this timeless treat in the Magic Kingdom.
2. Funnel Cake (Sleepy Hollow – Liberty Square): There’s just something about the funnel cake at the Sleepy Hollow in Liberty Square that makes you crave them. Some may say ‘I didn’t come all the way to Walt Disney World for a funnel cake’ but you’ll quickly find out this DISNEY funnel cake is so much better that the local carnival or fair ones you get at home. Stop by in the morning and have one for breakfast or try it as a snack. YUM!
3. Peanut Butter Brownie Mousse (Pecos Bill – Frontierland): Ok, a year or so ago we stopped in Pecos Bill on our first day of vacation and we hogged out on Burgers and Chicken Wraps and since we were lucky enough to have the Dining Plan, we also got dessert. Well let’s just say I should have saved room for this Chocolaty-Peanut-Buttery gift from the sweet gods! WOW…it almost hurts your teeth it’s so sweet. You’ll definitely need something salty after this treat so save some french fries to chase this sweet snack.
4. Rice Krispie Treats (Main Street Bake Shop): We’re not talking your regular run of the mill Rice Krispie treats here, we’re talking about the ones with the ICING ON TOP! Last Halloween my brother and his wife told us that we had to try out the Halloween Rice Krispie treats with orange icing and we were immediately hooked! These things are the best so grab a few for the hotel room when you get the munchies.
5. Dole Whip Soft Serve (Aloha Isle – Adventureland): Although not quite on the level of the Citrus Swirl, this refreshing treat does rank up there for the perfect treat on a hot summer day. How can you go wrong with Pineapple Juice, cream and sugar?!?! This one is easy to whip up at home too so look for the recipe in a separate article.
6. Popcorn (Treat Cart – Main Street USA): Ya know the popcorn that you get in a bag and that you cook in the microwave at home? The popcorn in the Magic Kingdom is a THOUSAND times better than the microwave kind! It’s almost like Disney has special corn kernels that pop just right in the Florida sun with just the right amount of salt that makes this so much better than anywhere else outside of Disney. It’s the perfect treat for the kids while sitting on the curb waiting for Spectromagic!
7. Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich (Sleepy Hollow – Liberty Square): Disney took the idea of the regular ice cream sandwich and ‘kicked it up a notch’ by using fresh, soft, right out of the oven chocolate chip cookies to make this one of the best Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches you’ll ever have. You can also find them on Main Street but I thought that while you’re already back in Liberty Square trying number 2 above (Funnel Cake) you might as well get one of these delightful treats!
8. The Mickey Bar (Ice Cream Carts): Last but certainly not least…….You can get this very popular ice cream treat just about anywhere in Walt Disney World but I had to mention it as one of the top treats in the Magic Kingdom. There’s something special about walking around this park with a Mickey Bar in your hand. It brings back memories for the older Disney fans of being young again and I think that’s what the Magic Kingdom is all about. If you don’t get at least one Mickey Ice Cream Bar while you’re there (or if you’re like me you’ll get ONE PER DAY while you’re there) then you won’t know what you’re missing.
You can’t go wrong with any of these great snacks so have fun and enjoy!
If you’re looking for something different and are tired of the same old cheesecake recipe then you have to try this Tye-Dyed Cheesecake. A few years ago my wife and I were staying at Disney’s Pop Century for the first time and one late night we found this very odd looking cake. The colors on the cake were so cool that I had to try it. Well, this isn’t the same cheesecake your Mom makes because instead of a graham cracker crust they used a Red Velvet Cake for the bottom of the cheesecake! It was spectacular looking and tasting so go ahead and give this recipe a try.
Red Velvet Cake Ingredients:
1/4 cup Butter (softened)
3/4 cups Sugar
1 Egg
1 tablespoons Cocoa
1 ounces Red Food Coloring
1/2 teaspoon Vanilla
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/2 cup Buttermilk
1 cups Flour
1/2 tablespoon Vinegar
1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
Preheat oven to 350 deg F. Grease the bottom and sides of a 9″ springform pan. Cream together butter, sugar and eggs. Make a paste of cocoa and food coloring. Add the paste to the creamed mixture. Mix salt and vanilla in buttermilk and add alternately with the flour. Mix baking soda and vinegar separately, add last, folding in. Do not beat after adding baking soda mixture. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until tester comes out clean. Cool cake in pan. Lower oven temperature to 325 degrees F.
Cheesecake Filling Ingredients:
1 1/2 lb. Cream Cheese
1 1/3 C. Sugar
5 Large Eggs
16 oz. Sour Cream
1/4 C. Flour
2 tsp. Vanilla
2 tsp. Lemon Juice
(Note: All above ingredients should be at room temperature before your begin.)
Start by beating the cream cheese until light and fluffy, Keeping the mixer on a low setting throughout the beating and mixing process. Add the sugar a little at a time and continue beating until creamy. Add one egg at a time and beat after each egg. When eggs have been mixed into the cream cheese add the flour, vanilla and lemon juice. Mix well. Add the sour cream last and beat well.
Divide the batter into 6 bowls and color each one:
Purple
Red
Yellow
Light Blue
Green
Orange
Drop large spoonfuls of the colored batters randomly atop the red velvet cake in the springform pan. Swirl each layer slightly. Place on the top rack in the middle of a 325 degree preheated oven for one hour and 15 minutes. When time is up, prop open oven door and leave in oven for one hour. After one hour, remove from oven. Let cool enough before the cheesecake is put into the refrigerator for 24 hours.
Because the weather is so hot across most of the country I thought I would post a more refreshing end-of-the-work-week drink for the over 21 folk. Give this Old Key West Resort drink special called a “Turtle Krawl” and you’ll certainly feel like your in the tropics.
Ingredients:
1/2 oz Castillo Rum
1/2 oz Bacardi Silver Rum
1/2 oz Malibu Rum
1/2 oz Myers Dark Rum
Splash Grenadine
Splash Key Lime Juice
Equal parts orange juice and pineapple juice
Just shake to mix in an ice filled 12oz cup. Now, if you don’t have all these types of Rum in your liquor cabinet then just take the rum you have available and use that instead. It will be different in taste but you’ll certainly have a refreshing drink none the less.
Do you snicker and laugh every time you see someone walking around Walt Disney World holding one of those massive Smoked Turkey Legs? My wife and I do too. There’s nothing better than sitting back watching someone try and look respectable as they gnaw into this prehistoric looking bone with fat and meat wrapped around it. You can’t help but laugh and sometimes even take a few pictures when they’re not looking!
Well, I was reading today and was surprised to hear that Disney sells about 1.5 MILLION turkey legs every year! Just to put that in perspective, that would be about 7 turkey legs for every man, woman and child that lives in Orlando, Florida! Each of these monstrous bird legs weighs in at 1.5 pounds and they supposedly come from 40-50 pound turkeys! So you’re probably thinking ‘hey, it’s Turkey so it has to be good for you.’ Well, if you think that 1,092 calories, about a days worth of fat and two days worth of sodium PER TURKEY LEG is good then you’ll need to go see a nutritionist for a refresher.
But, leave it to Disney to find better and more creative ways to sell odd things. If you would have asked me a few years ago whether I thought the whole turkey leg idea would have worked I probably would have said no. I don’t know whether it’s the taste or whether people just see them and have to try them but whatever it is, it works. For me I just can’t see buying one as I’m not a fan of grizzly looking turkey meat and fat hanging off a bone the size of my forearm. I think I would rather head to the Plaza Restaurant (Magic Kingdom) for their Turkey Sandwich, but that’s just me.
So next time you visit the mouse, unless you’re super hungry and have the metabolism of a 12-year old to burn the calories, I would steer clear of the Turkey Leg. My guess is you could find something better for you if you can resist your prehistoric urge!
A new friend of mine on another blog mentioned how much she loved the Banana French Toast at the Polynesian and that prompted me to add this excellent recipe to DiningInDisney.com. If you’ve never tried the Tonga Toast at the Kona Cafe (in the Polynesian) then quickly go to your grocery store and pick up these ingredients as your family will love it!
Here’s what’ you’ll need:
4 slices Sourdough Bread (cut about 1 inch thick)
1 Banana
1/3 cup Sugar
1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
1 Egg
1/4 cup Milk
1/2 tsp Vanilla
Canola Oil (for frying)
Whipped Butter (optional)
Maple Syrup (optional)
This is how you make it…..Cut a 1 inch pocket in one side of each bread slice. Cut the banana in half crosswise and then split each piece lengthwise. Remove peel from the banana and stuff 1-2 pieces in each pocket, again depending on size. Set aside.
Mix sugar and cinnamon together. Then, mix the egg, milk and vanilla until well blended.
Heat about 4 inches of oil in a pan to 350 degrees(F). It’s best to use a candy thermometer of some kind to make sure the oil doesn’t go above 350 degrees or it will burn. Dip stuffed bread into egg mixture, allowing it to soak in for a few minutes. Carefully place bread slices into the hot oil and fry until lightly brown, turning to brown both sides. It should take about a minute on each side to cook. Drain on paper towels on cake or wire rack. Sprinkle with or toss them in the cinnamon-sugar mix and serve!
Print This Article
One of the funnest places to eat in Walt Disney World is the 50s Prime Time Cafe which is located in Disneys MGM Studios. This themed restaurant is made to look like you were dropped into a 1950’s kitchen with all your other relatives (many of whom you’ve never met before!) Be sure to keep you elbows off the table and eat all your green beans or Mom will get upset. 
Ok, you’re walking around the Magic Kingdom and it’s about 2:00pm and you don’t have dinner reservations until 7:00pm because everything was booked up. You’ve got to find a snack somewhere in one of these magical lands to tie you over but where do you go? Do you reach in your pocket for that stick of gum hoping it will get you to dinner? Hardly. How about the screaming kids who can only eat so many Cheerios? I think if you try one of these tasty Disney snacks (ranked in no particular order) you’ll definitely be in good shape! 
