Disney WorldFocused on the Magic : Disney World

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Monday

Hi Ho! It's off to Disney World Kermit and I Go! ~ Trip Report of Sorts Part I

When my husband and sons offered to send me on an 8 day solo Mother's Day vacation to Disney World. I hopped on the idea. Just me and my camera staying at Saratoga Springs Spa and Resort, visiting the parks for the Flower and Garden Festival and ending with the opening of Star Wars Weekends. Squee!
Little did I know it would turn into a fabulous photographic adventure with Kermit, my new travel buddy.

Silent Sunday ~ #Disney Wishes nighttime spectacular

Do you have pictures that *speak* for themselves?

I've been sharing mine off and on for awhile now and thought you might like to join in by linking up your Silent Sunday picture. I would love to see yours!

Advice for first time visitors to Disney World

Planning your first trip to Walt Disney World can be a little overwhelming. Don't worry with a little advance planning and research you will be able to enjoy a magical vacation and learn why it's called "The Happiest Place On Earth".

Raglan Road Irish Soda Bread Recipes

Raglan Road Pub and Restaurant in Disney Springs is known for its festive atmosphere and traditional Irish foodie fare. One of the most irresistible dishes is the Irish Soda Bread.

Every year about this time I make sure I either make or purchase Irish Soda Bread. Our local Wegman's bakery had just made fresh loaves when I walked in so it was a buy for me this St. Patrick's Day.

The amazing chef behind the traditional recipes served at Raglan Road is Chef Kevin Dundon. Here he is in this video showing us just how we can create Irish Soda Bread in our own home.
What better way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day!
Need a little more kick in your Soda Bread? Check out this wonderful Irish Brown Bread with Guinness Reduction recipe from Disney Parks.
I like to make Irish Soda Bread at home with raisins for sweetness and Kerrygold Irish Cream Butter for added richness.

Irish Soda Bread

Ingredients:
4 cups all-purpose flour
4 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch dice (I use 4 tablespoons of Kerrygold Irish Butter)
1 3/4 cups cold buttermilk, shaken
1 extra-large egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
optional: 1 cup dried currants or raisins, a sprinkle of caraway seeds
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the butter and mix on low speed until the butter is mixed into the flour.

With a fork, lightly beat the buttermilk, egg, and orange zest together in a measuring cup. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the buttermilk mixture to the flour mixture. Combine the currants or raisins with 1 tablespoon of flour and mix into the dough. It will be very wet.

Knead the dough on a well-floured board or marble slab to form a round loaf. Place the loaf on the prepared sheet pan and lightly cut an X into the top of the bread with a serrated knife.

Bake for 45 to 55 minutes. Tap the top of the loaf, it should sound hollow.

Cool on a baking rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.
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Saol fada chugat,

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

For More Food Favorites Click Here.

Tuesday

My Refurbishment Wish List

One of the many things that keeps me coming back to Disney for the past 20+ years is that the parks and resorts are always being freshened up with a coat of paint to maintain Walt Disney's very high standards or being re-imagineered to stay ahead of the times.
When I'm in Disney I focus on the positive (magic) experiences and try to overlook the negatives. There are times that even my rose colored glasses can't hide those things that need a bit of refurbishment.

►Carousel of Progress debuted at the New York World's Fair in 1964 which was where I first experienced it as a 14 year old. I think that's why it's always been one of my favorite attractions in Disney World. I've brought my children to see Carousel of Progress many times over the years and they've enjoyed it as well. It's wonderful to relive those happy memories over and over, but it's time for a refurbishment. I'm not suggesting a tear down but at least take care of the squeaky turn table stage, reupholster the seats and replace the carpeting. Oh and maybe while they're in there they could add a new vignette.

►The Imagination Pavilion formerly known as The Journey Into Imagination Pavilion is also in need of a refurbishment. There's a whole floor of unused space that's sitting in disrepair. During the early 90's my kids loved making movies and experimenting along with all the other kids with the latest technology. As a photographer I enjoyed the Kodak part of the experience. Captain EO really needs to go. The comeback show is fun and campy. I enjoyed seeing it again with my kids but the technology is dated and the storyline was always convoluted.

There's good news for the Imagination Pavilion. Rumor has it that there will be a new sponsor, ColorVision to bring a spark of imagination back into the pavilion. Dr. Nigel Channing and his Imagination Institute can finally retire. Just leave Figment alone, please!

Is there an attraction that you think needs a refurbishment? Leave it in the comments below, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Have a magical day,

Monday

101 things To Do At Disney World ~ Wishes!

As many of you already know, one of my favorite things to do at Disney World is taking pictures of the fireworks displays. The show that keeps me coming back time after time to ~~watch~~ experience is Wishes in the Magic Kingdom. I really enjoy Illuminations: Reflections of Earth in Epcot, but I truly love Wishes.
The best way for me to capture and enjoy the show is if I use a cable release and a tripod. For many years I was a tripod hold-out, refusing to lug one around. It was so inconvenient to set it up, especially with the family in tow and forget about carrying it on rides. If I did bring it on the trip I would leave it in the room or in the locker and reclaim it at the end of the night. I was a tripod hater. About 5 years ago I decided to start bringing an ultra light, compact tripod and actually use it. What a difference, not only in my pictures but in the entire experience.

Sometimes I get so wrapped up in the show I forget to keep snapping and checking the view finder for composition. As you can see from the picture below, the fireworks are cut off and the castle is crooked. It's ok, if I mess up or miss something it means I just have go back and see it another night;)

Which is your favorite fireworks show in Disney World to photograph?
You can leave your answer as a comment or on the Facebook page!

Click on the button to see more of my 101 Things to do At Disney World !

Have a Disney Day!

Thanks for stopping by Focused on the Magic.com

Saturday

Weekly Look Back and Forward ~ 6/30/12

Happy Independence Day weekend! I hope you are all enjoying yourselves wherever you are. There are so many great pixie dusted celebrations going on this weekend in Disney World. The best park for me around the 4th is Epcot. It's nice and spread out. I wish I was there listening to the Voices of Liberty. What would you be doing if you were in WDW for the 4th of July weekend?

Staying focused on the magic this week was easy with two trips planned, there's lots of Disney magic swirling around in my air space lately.

First, we'll take a quick look back at the pixie dusted blog postulations posted this past week on Focused on the Magic and the what's coming up next week.

9 #Disney Desserts Worth the Calories

Kitchen Sink at Beaches and Cream Yacht and Beach Club Focused on the Magic

Sweet Disney Dining News:
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Chef Scott Hunnel sells more than 10,000 dessert soufflés a year at Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. After a meal of everything from osetra caviar to seared Kobe beef tenderloin, discriminating diners at the award-winning restaurant look forward to a sweet ending.

An upswing in Walt Disney World dessert sales is a sign of the times, with sweet sales soaring in U.S. restaurants. And in spite of the no-carb craze, there’s no sign that the heightened demand is slowing down. Last year at Walt Disney World Resort, pastry chefs used more than 865,000 pounds of sugar.

Erich Herbitschek, master pastry chef at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, keeps a staff busy with increased dessert orders for his chocolate creations, crème brûlèe and other desserts. On a recent weekend at California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, 50 percent of the diners ordered desserts such as butterscotch crème brûlée with banana cakes and caramelized bananas; warm Valrhona chocolate cake with molten center and raspberry ice cream; and chocolate pyramid with chocolate gelato and berries.

Which Disney desserts are making memories? Though you’ll find house-made sorbets and fresh fruit on menus, here are the decadent, longtime best sellers:

Silky chai cream with tea tuile at Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Warm berry cobbler at Artist Point at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, seasonal fruit and a sugary crust served with vanilla ice cream.

Old-fashioned s’mores at 50′s Prime Time Cafe at Disney’s Hollywood Studios — graham crackers, chocolate square and marshmallows, served warm, just like the campfire days.

A Florida favorite, the Key lime pie at Olivia’s Cafe at Disney’s Old Key West Resort.

The legendary grapefruit cake at The Hollywood Brown Derby at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, made from the 1920s recipe shared from the original Brown Derby restaurant in Hollywood.

The satiny crème brûlée with a crisp brown sugar topping served at restaurants at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

The Kona Kone at Kona Café at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, a childish delight for kids of all ages: a giant waffle cone filled with ice cream and served with cotton candy and M&Ms.

The Kitchen Sink at Beaches & Cream at Disney’s Yacht Club and Beach Club Resorts, a wonderfully sinful sundae meant for sharing with a gallon of ice cream, multiple toppings and an entire can of whipped cream.

Anything on the menu at Ghiradelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop at Downtown Disney Marketplace — a root beer float, hot fudge sundae, even an old-fashioned malt.

What is YOUR favorite Walt Disney World sweet treat? Share your dessert memories in the comments below!

Click Here For More Foodie Fare Posts

Source: Disney Parks InsidEARS News
For more information, please visit the Disney Parks InsidEARS Program

Friday

Flashback Friday ~ Venetian Mask Shop

It's time for Photo Flashback Friday here at Focused on the Magic!

Time to once again dust off our Walt Disney World photo albums and take another look at some of our favorite photos from vacations past.

If you are new to the Flashback Friday Hop, Welcome! I hope you enjoy your visit. For those returning, Welcome Back!
Would like to join in on the fun? You'll find out how to at the end of this post. I would love to have you share your flashback photos with us.

Today is a quick flashback to my solo trip. Quick, because we're having a pretty big thunder storm and the power may go out any minute.

A visit to The Italy Pavilion at Epcot's World Showcase for me always includes a trip to the Venetian mask shop. It's a tiny little shop packed to the rafters with ornately decorated masks. Sometimes you can see the Venetian mask artist Giorgio Lurcotta painting beautiful paper mache masks in the shop.

On this solo trip I was able to spend as much time as I wanted to. That alone is fun enough for me. I truly enjoyed the feeling of stepping back in time while I wandered around *Italy*.

Tuesday

Tigger-ific Disney Tip Tuesday ~ Touring with Teens

As a mom who's toured Walt Disney World with teens in tow and vice versa I have learned that teens prefer all things Disney World a lot better at night.

It's cooler, they've enjoyed a meal or two and they're nocturnal brains are fully awake.

If you're staying on property at a Disney Resort all the better, because without exception they will really enjoy night time Extra Magic Hours (EMH).

I'm not suggesting we plan our trips around our teens but let's face it, if the teens in your group are full of Disney magic .. it will spread to the rest of your group!

With a little pre-trip planning you'll have a memorable and magical trip.

The combination of EMH and their top attractions makes for some very magical moments. Here are the top EMH attractions by park and a brief rundown on how EMH work in case you've missed it.

Each day, one of the 4 Walt Disney World Theme Parks opens one hour early or remains open up to 3 hours after regular Park closing time for guests of any Walt Disney World Resort hotel. These extended hours are known as Extra Magic Hours (EMH).

How It Works:

Morning Hours-Arrive up to an hour before the designated Theme Park is scheduled to open and show your valid, Magic Band or Theme Park ticket and Resort I.D. at the Theme Park turnstiles.

Evening Hours - Valid theme park ticket (magic band) and Resort I.D. are required. Each member of your party will need to present their Resort I.D. for accessing evening Extra Magic Hours attractions.

Here's a list of all the attractions and must do's that are my teen faves (and may become your teens too) open during night time EMH.

Magic Kingdom
Wishes
Tomorrowland
Buzz Lightyear
Space Mountain
Tomorrowland Speedway
Liberty Square
Haunted Mansion

Snack at Columbia House or Pinocchio's Village Haus

Frontierland
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Splash Mountain
Frontierland Shootin' Arcade

Adventureland
Dole Whip
Pirates of the Caribbean

Epcot
Illuminations
Soarin'
Spaceship Earth
Test Track
Living Seas
Mission: SPACE
Off Kilter
Gran Fiesta Tour
Fountainview ice cream and watch the fountains

Disney Hollywood Studios
Mulch, Sweat and Shears
Toy Story Mania
MuppetVision 3-D
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster
Star Tours
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Animal Kingdom
Dinosaur
Expedition Everest
Kali River Rapids (seasonally)
Kilimanjaro Safaris (seasonally)

I hope these teen touring tips help make your next trip a memorable and magical one!

Have a Disney Day!

Saturday

Weekly Look Back and Forward 4/28

Another week has flown by and a new month starts this week. Let's have a quick look at some of our pixie dusted blog postulations from this past week and a sneak peak at what's coming up next week here on Focused on the Magic.

5 Delectable Disney Desserts & Snacks

Today we're focused on our Top 5 Disney Snacks. One of my favorite topics and one I just love to write about. I recently wrote an article for Red The Magical Blogorail Loop listing my Favorite 8 Great Disney Snacks, which you can read HERE.

There are plenty of delectable desserts and snacks options I enjoy in the Parks and being a major foodie it's easy for me to go on and on. Today instead of prattling on endlessly, I have to keep it to 5 of our family favorite snack and desserts. Here they are and in no particular order.

1. From Via Napoli, The Tiramasu

Mascarpone cream, espresso coffee, lady fingers and chocolate. Oh what a delight it is!

2. From Palo, Chocolate Souffle. I can still taste it! This picture is with permission from Disney. There is no way I could do this heavenly dessert justice in a picture. I usually try to snap a few pictures first but it's difficult when faced with a fabulous dessert. Sometimes it's best to just enjoy the food and leave the pictures to the experts:) If you would like the fabulous recipe for this Chocolate Souffle, click here.

Disney Cruise Line, Palo, Chocolate Souffle

3. Coppa di Brutti Ma Buoni aka "Ugly but Good". Amarena cherry & vanilla gelato sundae with the "Ugly But Good Cookies":) All incredibly delicious. The vanilla ice cream is rich homemade goodness. This item was removed from the menu, I'm sad to report. Maybe if we all request it'll be brought back.

Via Napoli, Coppa di Brutti Ma Buoni , "Ugly but Good"

Epcot, Via Naploi, Coppa di Brutti Ma Buoni "Ugly but Good"

4. Turkey Legs -- not my favorite, that's for sure. My kids like to dig in though. I think they look like dinosaur bones but Disney Guest gobble up more than 1.2 million pounds of Turkey Legs every year in the four Walt Disney World Resort theme parks.

5. Dreamy Strawberry Cheesecake -- this can be found on many menus in Disney World. I think the best one I've had was at The Grand Floridian Cafe. Not to be missed! This picture is from Disney with permission. Again, my pictures were ugly and this deserves a beautiful tasteful picture. Click Here for the recipe.

Do you have a special Disney snack or dessert that you enjoy in the Parks?

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This post is part a great Foodie Hop. Be sure to stop by Disney Day by Day and see all the yummy blog posts linked up to the hop!

Have a Disney Day!

Saturday

Weekly Look Back and Forward 4/21

We're back with a quick look at some of our pixie dusted blog postulations from this past week and a sneak peak at what's coming up next week here on Focused on the Magic.

Favorite Way to Get Wet at Walt Disney World

This month's topic is your Favorite Way to Get Wet at Disney World Resort. When I first saw the topic I thought I knew right away what my favorite would be.

There was the time we took a ride around the lagoon on the Breathless. Both of my dear sons were soaked by the end of the ride. It was a lot of fun and we'll certainly do it again but only my sons got wet, we stayed dry. That couldn't be my absolute favorite.