I Love Those Disney Podcasts!

One way I keep the Disney magic going between trips is by listening to podcasts.  

You may be asking yourself what is a podcast?  Think of it as a radio show on the internet that can address any number of topics - the ones I enjoy are all about Disney.  Of course!  

I just download them onto my cell phone using the Podcast Republic app, plug in my earphones, and off I go into the world of Disney.

About a year and a half ago, I found my first podcast - Resort Loop - and I instantly became a huge fan and part of "Looper Nation".  Resort Loop Tim and Resort Loop Bob are incredibly likable and down to earth, with a terrific banter and a great sense of humor.  

They engage their audience by soliciting their thoughts on various topics, encouraging you to participate, and later sharing your answers with the Looper Nation on their podcast.  And their "Super Loopers" get in on the act as well. From their "Boots on the Ground", Sean Woosley, in Walt Disney World, to their "Sandals on the Ground", Dave Tupper, at the Aulani Resort in Hawaii, to the adorable "Bing Bong" Ben and Ava, and other Looper show opener contributors (that's right - you can call and leave them a message which they might then use as their show opener), they keep the shows fresh and entertaining.  I enjoy their views and opinions, their trip reports, getting to know their families and other guests, and their "regular guy" approach to all things Disney.  From Resort Loop Tim's wrong answer buzzer to Resort Loop Bob's cheapness, and their love of Joffrey's coffee, they keep me laughing along. They put out a twice-weekly show on Tuesdays and Fridays, and those days just aren't the same for me if I don't get a chance to listen in.  The Resort Loop podcast can be found at www.resortloop.com, on iTunes, Facebook, Twitter, and as they say, the Stitcher.  

Once I started listening to the Resort Loop, I had to go back and listen to all of the previous episodes I had missed.  And then I listened again, after which I decided it was time to add to my podcast treasure chest.  After all, as Resort Loop Bob says, "There's plenty of room in the pool".

And that's when I found the 3 Moms And The Mouse podcast, which, as they will tell you, is "everything Disney from a mom's point of view", or, in this case, those of moms Lisa, Mindy, and Dina.  These three travel agent moms, brought together by their love of Disney,  are delightful and fun as they bring their audience their seemingly unending knowledge of all things Disney.  

From Lisa's trip packing habits and park sherpa status, to Mindy's moment of silence for the chicken no longer served at O'hana's in the Polynesian Resort, to the 22 minutes of Dina's life she can never get back as a result of the Great Movie Ride in Hollywood Studios, these moms will keep you informed on all of the latest Disney news and give you great tips and information for your next trip.  These ladies are so warm, funny, and engaging, that I feel like I’m one of the girls when I’m listening.  In fact, Dina has now become my official Disney travel agent, and she is just as warm in person as she is on the podcast.  The moms put out a weekly show on Thursdays, and I just can’t miss an episode.  They can be found at www.3momsandthemouse.com, on iTunes, and Facebook. 

Once I had caught up with all of their podcast episodes, I again decided to add to my podcast treasure chest and found the Mousechat podcast. 

Mousechat is fearlessly led by the Griswolds – Steve and Lisa – and their cohort of travel agents, Lauren, Chris, and Sharpie, and the now much missed Bob.  From Steve’s infamous finger roll, to Lisa’s diplomacy, Lauren’s hunt for alcohol at the World, Chris’ hilarious sarcastic humor and love of shoes, to Sharpie’s puns and jokes, this podcast makes me laugh out loud.  Unfortunately, Bob is no longer with them – nothing beats his theory that he was abducted by aliens in his younger years.  This podcast is very funny and informative.  Mousechat puts out a weekly show on Mondays and can be found at www.mousechat.net, on iTunes, and Facebook.

I recently discovered another favorite podcast, 2 Men And The Mouse.  Kevin and Peter are two guys who truly love all things Disney.  From Kevin’s Doofenshmirtz (of Phineas and Ferb) impressions and love of the Muppets to Peter surprising his kids during the podcast with the news that they’re going to Walt Disney World, this podcast is fun, informative, and educational – I now know why there’s a brown line running down the middle of the street in Liberty Square.  You’ll have to listen to the podcast to find out why!  Kevin and Peter put out a weekly podcast on Tuesdays and can be found at www.2menandthemouse.com, on iTunes, and Facebook.

These are just my top four podcasts, but there are many more out there. 

I’ve gotten a great deal of wonderful information from these podcasts and encourage all Disney fans to take a listen, especially if they’re planning a trip to the World.  

Until next time, I hope you remember to keep the Mouse in your house.

Monica

Un-Frozen

I love Disney, but this has got to be said:  Where is all of the Frozen merchandise???

Come on, Disney!!!

Apparently, Disney has hoarded all of the most sought after merchandise ever in Wandering Oaken's Trading Post down in Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World!

Try walking into the local Disney store and looking for anything Frozen.  You're pretty much out of luck.  They have very, and I mean very, little to alleviate your hunt for what you want.

My favorite Frozen character - in fact, my all-time favorite Disney princess, no QUEEN - is Elsa. But I can't walk into my local Disney store and find an Elsa t-shirt or any other Elsa products for that matter.  In fact, what little merchandise is available is dedicated to Anna, Olaf, Sven, and even Kristoff.  What is going on???

Am I confused, or wasn't there a Queen in that movie as well???  You know, the one with the amazing, out of this world mega hit song?  You know, that song that has hundreds and hundreds of little girls going nuts, singing the lyrics over and over again, creating a frenzy on You Tube?  Oh yeah, that's it..."Let It Go"!.... Should I?  No way!!!  Elsa deserves better than that.

The Queen that has created such excitement, the one who's song stops hundreds of fans in their tracks as soon as they hear those first few notes, doesn't even get a little bit of merchandise in the local Disney stores????  On behalf of her fans, I demand equal time!!!

At this point, I've found more Frozen merchandise at local retailers that have no connection to Disney.... obviously, they can spot a money maker... But, still I must complain for, once again, I can find no Elsa merchandise.  Everything is either Anna & Elsa together, Anna alone, Olaf, and sometimes even Olaf and Sven together.  

Again... hasn't Elsa earned being on a t-shirt by herself?  She is the Queen after all - the only Disney Queen with a huge hit song, at least to my knowledge.

I just want an Elsa t-shirt!  Come on, Disney!!!  And no, I don't just want to try and find one on the website!  I want Elsa to have equal display time in an actual store!  I'm pretty sure she's earned it.

Or...could the reality be that Disney is so business savvy as to know that, if they stockpile the Frozen merchandise down at Hollywood Studios, it will lure the fans down there, resulting in a spending frenzy?  No...never!...Right???  People actually going down to Orlando, staying in Disney resorts, buying park tickets, all the time knowing that that's the only place they can pretty much find relief for their need for the coveted Frozen must haves?  Not to mention Elsa products???  

Well...I guess I have no choice...If I want my Elsa fix, I'm going to have to plan my next trip. Soon. Because I really, really want my Elsa t-shirt...

So, here is my plea to Disney - Please, please, please get a decent amount of Frozen merchandise in our local Disney stores!

And don't worry, Queen Elsa - I've got your back, girl!   And, no, I won't just Let It Go!...

Until next time, I hope you remember to keep the Mouse in your house.

Monica

Poncho or No Poncho?...

Chances are, if you're visiting Walt Disney World in Orlando, it's probably going to rain at some point during your vacation.

I hate to be the one to break it to you...

It's rained at some point on each of our trips down to the World.  But that's never stopped us!  Well...actually, that's not 100% true.  Two years ago, Hurricane Isaac struck in the middle of our trip.  We were none too happy to see him, I can assure you. But, we faced him head on - and won!  He only managed to keep us down for one morning when he swept through with torrential downpours.  Oh, well... we needed the extra sleep anyway.  By the time we finally got up and ready to go, the rain had passed, and we went on to have one of our best evenings at the parks so far.  So there!!!

And just as sure as you'll probably see rain on your trip, you'll Inevitably face the age-old question: Poncho or no poncho?

For me, personally, the answer is always "Poncho"!  But, not so for many other people. My husband, for example, hates wearing a poncho, although he'll eventually give in just to keep the peace.

So, why am I so strenuously in favor of the controversial poncho?  Well, if you've already traveled to Orlando, you know that, especially during the summer months, it's extremely hot and humid. But, everything indoors - the shops, restaurants, buses - is incredibly cold, the air conditioning set to freezing, it seems.  Although it feels good when you're first coming in out of the blazing heat, it's not so good when you've just undergone a downpour.  So on come the ponchos, at least for me and my daughter.

So, let's talk ponchos - where to get them, what kind to wear, what they cost.

The ponchos can be found at any shop in the parks and resorts, and cost around $9.00 for adult ponchos and slightly less for children's ponchos.  If you don't see them, just go over to the cashier and ask for one.

I will admit that, on our first trip, I got the bright idea, while standing in line at a Harmon's, to pick up a few of the cheaper ponchos, with the hope of saving some money.  NOT A GOOD IDEA!

It was extremely hot and humid on that trip, and, as soon as the rain started, I proudly brought out my thrifty ponchos.  I can tell you that, as soon as we put them on, they literally stuck to us like a second skin.  It was suffocating!  I literally ripped mine off and ran to purchase three official Disney ponchos.  Ahhh!...so much better!

The official Disney ponchos are open on the sides with three snaps on each side, which you can close if you wish, and you can put your arms through the openings.  I like them because they allow for some ventilation to go through so they're not as stifling in the heat.  I've also opened them up and thrown them over my daughter's stroller to keep her dry.

I've also seen people in the parks wearing disposable raincoats.  Ummm.... NO! - It's too hot for those!!!!  That's just my humble opinion, but, then again, you're reading this blog for my opinion, right?  

For me, it's always yes to the poncho - the Disney poncho!  How about you?

I hope you've found this helpful.

Until next time, remember to keep the Mouse in your house.

Monica 

Mickey's PhilharMagic

Located in Fantasyland, Mickey's PhilharMagic is one of my favorite attractions at Walt Disney World, a 12-minute 4-D production which completely immerses you in the sights, sounds, and smells of this animated adventure starring Donald Duck (yes - Donald Duck is the star here, even though Mickey gets top billing).

Put on your 3-D glasses, sit back, and enjoy the show.

While Mickey is getting ready for a concert, Donald decides to get the ball rolling by preparing the orchestra, but loses Mickey's Sorcerer's Hat in the process. Soon, he's thrust into a 4-D dream as he tries to get back Mickey's hat while being tossed through some of the best known Disney movies, such as Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Peter Pan, Aladdin, and more, while also offering some special effects such as some light splashes of water and smells.

This is a truly delightful experience full of fun and excitement before a surprising end.  This is definitely one not to be missed.

Don't forget to look behind you at the very end to see what final mischief Donald gets into!

Until next time, don't forget to keep the Mouse in your house.

Monica

*** Helpful Hint - Mapping Your Trip

When planning your next trip to Disney, make sure to order your free customized Disney maps as a memento of your trip.

Go to https://disneyworld.disney.go.com and click on "Order Customized Maps" at the bottom of the page under the heading for "My Disney Experience".

You will then be prompted to check off your favorite rides and attractions for each of the four parks.

Once you're done, you fill in all of your mailing information, and that's it.  Your very own customized maps should arrive in the mail within 2-4 weeks at no cost to you.

Monica

Enjoying Some Disney Magic At Home

Hi, there!

In between our trips to Disney, I try to keep the Disney Magic going in our home, whether it's watching a Disney movie, reading a Disney book to my daughter, or whatever else we can think of.

Here's my latest discovery - and it's totally FREE!  What can be better?

Get to your local Disney Store about 15-30 minutes before store opening.  The first person to arrive, whether a child or adult, gets to open the store.  I did it as a surprise for my daughter, and she loved it.

We arrived about 10 minutes prior to opening time and were the first ones there. Yay!  In front of the store, stood a big lock on a stand.  We waited until opening time, and then one of the Cast Members came over and asked my daughter if she'd like to open the store using her imagination.

She said yes, and a second Cast Member walked over, procession style, holding a very large key up over her head which she then handed over to the Cast Member who was waiting with my daughter.  Then, both my daughter and the Cast Member inserted the key into the lock, turned it, and voila - the store was opened.

The Cast Member then gave her a smaller key to keep as a memento.  She plans to hang it in her room.

This was a lovely way to bring some of the magic into our home, and every time she looks at that key, she'll have a wonderful memory.

I hope you get the opportunity to surprise your kids (or do it yourself) with this little bit of Disney magic soon.

Until next time, I hope you remember to keep the Mouse in your house.

Monica

Disney's Coronado Springs Resort

Disney's Coronado Springs Resort is our favorite resort - well, to be honest, it's the only one we've stayed at so far.  Every time we make our resort reservations, we always end up back at Coronado Springs.  And that's just fine with us.

This is one of Disney's moderate category resorts and is also a convention center, so it can tend to get very busy.  However, we've never had any issues in that regard.  The theming here is Colonial Mexican/American Southwest, and they do it very, very well.

The Cabanas

The Ranchos

The Casitas

The resort is divided into three village areas - the Casitas, the Ranchos, and the Cabanas.  During our first trip, we stayed in the Cabanas.  It was a beautiful area of the resort, but it was quite a far walk from our room to El Centro, the main building that houses the check-in desk, Panchito's Gift & Sundries, Cafe Rix, Rix Lounge, The Pepper Market Food Court, and the full service restaurant, Maya Grill.  The last two times we've stayed at Coronado Springs, we've been in the Casitas section of the resort.  Although it's still a walk to and from the main building, we can walk through the convention center which is a much easier walk, especially in the rain and heat.  

The resort's rooms were refurbished in 2009.  A typical guest room has 2 queen beds (or a king-sized bed) and a key-operated wall safe for valuables in the closet area. All rooms have complimentary Wi-Fi Service. There are handicapped accessible rooms available with a king-sized bed and a wheelchair accessible shower instead of a tub.  You can request bed rails and cribs from Housekeeping.  

 

Rix Cafe:  This is a grab and go coffee shop located near the main entrance and offers a selection of salads, sandwiches, and drinks, as well as pastries, muffins, fruits, and cereals.  This is also where you can get your refillable mugs for your water, coffee, tea and soft drinks.

The Pepper Market:  This is the resort's food court located in the main building. This is not your typical counter service place, but instead feels more like a sit down restaurant.  There is a good variety of food here - grilled, Mexican, hamburgers, pizza, fish, pasta, sandwiches, stir-fry, and baked goods.  We eat here a lot and have always liked it.  On our last trip, just days after being put on a gluten free/dairy free diet by my doctor, I found the chefs here to be very knowledgeable and helpful.  In fact, they took the time to educate me on my food choices, and one of the chefs actually took the time to check with me as to what time I thought I would be in for lunch on the days he was working so he could prepare my meals for me to avoid cross-contamination and make sure I had something that I would like to eat.  I had chimichurri chicken a couple of times which came with rice and black beans and was delicious, as well as a hearty grilled fish filet, nachos, and tacos, all of which were also very good.  Our family really likes this restaurant, and it is one of the reasons we return to this resort again and again.

The Maya Grill:  This is the resort's full service restaurant which offers Mexican and American Southwestern dining.  We have dined here twice over the last couple of trips.  My husband and daughter really seem to like it, however, I feel it has fallen short of my expectations in the past.  Both times, I've ordered their filet mignon, but felt that it wasn't the best steak I've had on property.  However, on our last trip, I felt the steak was a little better than the previous year, and I absolutely LOVED the dessert the chef made especially for me in light of my gluten free/dairy free diet.  I didn't really believe the waitress when she offered me dessert, since I hadn't had much luck getting gluten free/dairy free desserts on property, but she definitely surprised me.  She brought out a bowl of the most delicious ice cream.  I believe it was Tofutti with a homemade mango sauce that was absolutely delicious.  It absolutely made my vacation.  The only other place I was able to have a dessert that wasn't fruit was at Mama Melrose in Hollywood Studios.  All things considered, I would definitely give this restaurant another try.  

The Registration Center

The Three Caballeros

Fuente De Las Palomas

Panchito's:  This is the resort's gift and sundries shop located in El Centro. There are also some groceries here, but beware, they are quite expensive.  We usually pack our own snacks from home, but we do buy milk to keep in our room's refrigerator for breakfast, as well as some soft drinks. Panchito's has a nice selection of gifts and clothing.

 

Pools:  The Dig Site is the large pool area at Coronado Springs with its centerpiece being a 50-foot Mayan pyramid behind which is a 123-foot long water slide that my daughter just loves.  Each of the three village areas have a quiet pool, and this was one we enjoyed on our last trip as it was relatively near our room, and we had it to ourselves every time.  

I hope you get a chance to enjoy this resort in the future.

Until next time, remember to keep the Mouse in your house.

Monica