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Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Tasty Tuesday: Chocolate Covered Marshmallows



All this talk yesterday about snacks on our 10 Best Snacks post got us hungry.  For Tasty Tuesday, it's fitting we choose one of those snacks to enjoy.  Chocolate-Covered Marshmallows on a stick like the ones at Goofy's Candy Co. are both delicious and very simple to make!


Picture it: Disney MGM Studios... 2006.  We were browsing the shops along Hollywood Blvd while waiting for the gates to open for Fantasmic!  It was in the shop adjacent to the Villains store where we first stumbled across these bite-size treats with their convenient handles.  We bought one for each of us and brought them into the show to enjoy while we waited.


Lisa and I enjoying our Chocolate-Covered Marshmallows at Fantasmic!

They were delicious! So much so that the following trip we made it a point to get more for our Fantasmic! viewing.  The concept is so simple, yet so great.  To top it off, our marshmallows were skewered on Mickey straws instead of a plain stick.



Now, Goofy's Candy Co. had opened the year before, but we were somehow unaware of the awesomeness of the customizable treats it offers.  It wasn't until our last visit that we treated ourselves to some of those amazing creations, including marshmallows on a stick!

Marshmallow Sticks made up to look like Mickey's Shorts at Goofy's Candy Co.

Okay, so they're not on Mickey straws, but they certainly are cute! It's almost a shame to eat them!  These little beauties inspired us to make our own!

At-Home Twist: 

What you'll need:
Jumbo Marshmallows
Chocolate

Skewer of your choice (we like twisty straws or lollipop sticks)
Topping (sugar, candy, nuts etc)
  • Skewer the marshmallows onto the stick. We usually put 3.
  • Meanwhile, melt the chocolate in a double boiler or a glass bowl placed over simmering water. (you can always use a microwave at 50%, but it takes longer and doesn't come out as smooth)
  • Once the chocolate is melted, dip the marshmallow sticks inside and cover with chocolate
  • Place on a piece of wax or parchment paper
  • Immediately, put on the topping of your choice
  • Allow to harden
These we made to look like Mickey's shorts for our son's 2nd birthday party!
 



How would you make your marshmallow treat?

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Monday, April 29, 2013

10 Best Snacks at Walt Disney World


DoleWhips? Turkey Legs? Mickey Ice Cream Bars?  What is the best snack/treat to get while enjoying your stay at Walt Disney World.  We couldn't pick just one, so here are our 10 Best Snacks at Walt Disney World



We couldn't come to a consensus, so you'll get two 10 Best lists.  We agree on some items, but each of us has a couple of unique favorites.  It was hard enough to limit ourselves to just 10 favorites, so with the exception of our #1 picks, the remaining 9 are in no particular order.  Ladies first, and then James will only go into detail on choices that differ from Lisa's.


1. Main Street Popcorn


My ultimate favorite snack at WDW is popcorn, and while popcorn is great anywhere in Disney, it is BEST if you get it from a popcorn cart on Main Street USA.  I opt for the souvenir bucket!





2. Nutella Waffle
This could arguably be a meal, but we're taking some liberties and calling it a snack.  A Generously size belgian waffle with Nutella, strawberries, blueberries, and banana! Want to know where to get one? We devoted an entire post to this incredible treat.



3. Soft Pretzels
Warm, salty pretzel... yum!  In the shape of Mickey's head? Even better!!



4. Chocolate Croissant
Several Bakeries on property offer this flaky and sweet treat.  We couldn't even wait to take a picture before getting started on it!


5. Chocolate Covered Frozen Banana
Parents can feel slightly less guilty treating their kids to one of these refreshing snacks on a hot day.  This ranks as Bella's favorite!



6. Cupcakes
Too many varieties to pick just one, Disney has taken decadence to the extreme with its cupcake offerings.  Check out our take on the outrageous Butterfinger cupcake from Starring Rolls Cafe

7. Ghirardelli Ice Cream
Everyone likes Ice Cream, and though there are plenty of great places on property to get a scoop, cone, or sundae, Ghirardelli is my favorite!



8. Frozen Lemonade
Is there anything more refreshing on a hot day in Walt Disney World than a fresh frozen lemonade?  The Minute Maid kind that is frozen solid doesn't count.  We're talking about the slushy kind you can eat with a spoon, or drink through a straw!



9. Chocolate Covered Marshmallows on a Stick
It sounds so simple, yet it is SO good!  Different chocolate and topping combinations mean you can always try something new!  At Disney's Hollywood Studios, we always grab some to take with us to eat while we wait for Fantasmic! to start!



10. Chocolate Covered Rice Krispie Treat
Goofy's Candy Co. is the place to watch your snack get made right in front of you! I like mine covered with chocolate and Reese's Pieces!




1. Triple Chocolate Brownie
My ultimate favorite snack is the the brownies at Earl of Sandwich in DTD.  Made fresh, with the flaky, crackly top, moist and rich on the inside... I buy one to eat there and several for the trip home!




2. Ice Cream Sundae
I'm also a big fan of Ghirardelli's, but on our most recent trip, I was blown away by the "No Way Jose" sundae at Beaches n' Cream.  Boy, was it good!


3. Churro
I'm not sure why I love these so much, but I can eat them all day.  With or without the dipping sauce.

4. Frozen Lemonade
5. Cupcakes
6. Chocolate Covered Marshmallow on a Stick


7. Milkshake
I can't resist a good milkshake, and classic vanilla is my favorite flavor.  I was in heaven at Whispering Canyon Cafe with their bottomless milkshakes!



8. Mickey Bar
This classic treat is simple and nostalgic.  A favorite treat to enjoy while watching the afternoon parade!  We even tried to make our own Mickey Ice Cream Bars at home!!

9. Chocolate Croissant


10. Funnel Cake
This snack is perfect for sharing.  True Story: I once used the last remaining day on my multi-day pass to enter EPCOT and walk to the American Pavilion, JUST to get a funnel cake and bring it out of the park!



So that's our 10 Best List for each of us!  Sorry DoleWhip fans, we just tried our first Dolewhips recently and while they were good, neither one of us put them in our list!  But trust us, there's a lot more snacks that got left off these lists along with it!  

So what's your favorite Disney snack??


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Focused on the Magic
 
 
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Sunday, April 28, 2013

10 Best Things about Disney's Animal Kingdom!

We've had a WILD week celebrating the Animal Kingdom's 15th Anniversary.  We've realized that there is A LOT to love about Walt Disney World's youngest park.  So, we thought we'd put together a list of the things we love about it.  Here's our 10 Best things about Disney's Animal Kingdom



1. The Animals
They are what the park is all about.  Walt's dream of incorporating live animals into a theme park was finally realized here.  You could literally spend the entire day at the park just looking at the animals.  Our favorite ways to view are riding Kilimanjaro Safaris and walking the Maharajah Jungle Trek.  But there's also the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail, Discovery Island Trails, and the Oasis Exhibits to see! Oh, and Don't forget about Conservation Station!

The best time to view the animals is generally in the early morning or late in the afternoon when the weather is coolest, and the animals are most active.  Disney's Animal Kingdom has over 250 different species of animals!



    2. Tree of Life
    When I first visited the Animal Kingdom in the summer of 1998, I used an entire roll of film on the Tree of Life.  Imagine how many pictures I take now with my digital camera!  The tree draws your attention from afar, but it's even more spectacular as you get close.  The detail of all the animal carvings and the sheer enormity of the tree make it a wonder to behold.

    The Tree of Life is 145 feet tall and has 325 animal carvings!




    3. Expedition Everest and Kali River Rapids
    These make the list together by virtue of being our favorite rides in all of WDW.  I love thrill rides as much as  I love the intricate detail that Disney puts into its parks.  For me, Everest is simply the best thrill ride on property, with the best themed queue and ride experience of any of the attractions.  

    Lisa is not a thrill ride person at all, but her favorite ride is Kali River Rapids.  Unlike other water rides, Kali delivers on getting you wet!  The soaking you get is great in the hot Florida afternoons!  

    Bella's favorite ride is Triceratops Spin, which she renamed "Dino-Mite!".  We like her name for it better!





    4. Stage Shows
    We devoted an entire post to how much we love Festival of the Lion King & Finding Nemo, The Musical earlier in the week.  Both are incredible shows, quite possibly the best two shows in all of Walt Disney World.





    5. Tusker House Character Breakfast
    This character meal ended up on both of our short lists for top character dining experience.  The food is outstanding with classic American breakfast fare plus the added international flavors.  Oh, an be sure to get some of the Jungle Juice (POG Juice)! The characters in their safari gear and the African market setting add to the uniqueness of this dining experience.  

    We know many people love Flame Tree Barbecue, but it can't be included on our list because we have yet to eat there!! Don't worry, we're going to fix that soon! If it helps, we made our own Flame Tree Barbecue Sauce at home!



    6. Characters
    No visit to a Disney park is complete without saying hello to a few friends.  We love that the characters you find in Disney's Animal Kingdom are in unique attire.  There's something simultaneously cute and surreal about animal characters wearing safari gear, don't you think?
    We love seeing the classic characters in Camp Minnie Mickey! There's also characters from the Hundred Acre Wood, and we're looking forward to seeing Russell and Doug from "Up!" on our next visit!



    7. It's Tough to Be a Bug
    Nestled inside the Tree of Life, this fun show does 3D as only Disney can.  While it is dark inside and potentially scary for the littlest guests, the show entertains all ages and has a few surprises for the uninitiated.




    8. Streetmosphere
    It's a big part of what makes each Disney park a Theme Park.  The streetmosphere at Disney's Animal Kingdom is always something we'll stop to watch.  Whether it's spotting DiVine hiding in the foliage, or watching the Tam Tam Drummers of Harambe perform, there's always a little extra going on to be on the lookout for!  And whenever we can, we're guilty of getting on the drums to create a little "streetmosphere" of our own!



    9. Jammin' in the Jungle Parade
    We've already had characters on our list, as well as streetmosphere.  This parade combines both.  A great soundtrack accompanies a cast of characters you won't see in other parades.  It's a lot of fun!



    10. The Boneyard
    It's easy to lose track of time exploring this huge, immersive play area.  The kids love the playground and digging up dinosaur bones.  If you look carefully, you might spot one of us being a big kid in the Boneyard as well!



    So there you have it, our 10 Best things about Disney's Animal Kingdom!  Did we overlook one of your favorite things??  Then let us know in the comments below!

    And don't forget to check out all our other posts celebrating 15 years of Disney's Animal Kingdom:




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    Wednesday, April 24, 2013

    Wordless Wednesday: Disney Parks Wild Side

    This week's theme: Disney Parks Wild Side


    So we donned our safari gear, and went to Disney's Animal Kingdom in search of Lions, Tigers, and Bears, Oh My!



    Focused on the Magic

    Special Thanks to Deb at "Focused on the Magic" for hosting the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.  If you've hopped here, please feel free to look around, Like us, Follow us, Email us, or Subscribe to us.  Then be sure to use the link above to return to the blog hop and check out the other great blogs participating.  Thanks!



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