When I heard the title, “Disneyland Explorer” I figured it would be more of a “fun” app vs. planning or facts etc. And this is true. This is exactly how I like my Disney information and entertainment. This may shock some, but I’m actually not a planner when it comes to Disney Parks. Maybe I take visiting Walt Disney World so often for granted, but even on my first visit to Disneyland last summer, I didn’t read one guide book or really do anything before I arrived. I just walked in and explored. That being said, I do want to put that little disclaimer in that for anyone looking for solid planning information, this is not the app for that. This is more like a way to be in Disneyland Resort virtually, with some extras thrown in too.

As you would expect from an official Disney app – it is breathtakingly beautiful. As you press the screen to enter the app, you are instantly transported to Sleeping Beauty Castle, with Walt standing in front. An image that makes any Disney fan just sigh with contentment. From there you can just start touching various park icons to discover how you can explore. Some attractions will feature a photo, others a short video of the ride in action, and still others will offer an interactive game or activity.

Pirates of the Caribbean game

As you scroll through the different lands, the music blends seamlessly from one area to the next and each new land offers lush backgrounds and foregrounds with all your familiar favorite scenes. It’s just wonderful. Once you explore all of Disneyland, the landscape continues to the Disneyland Resort hotels, Downtown Disney District and then on to California Adventure. There’s even a section for Cars Land, opening soon – so I’m sure the app will be updated in the future with more interactive elements. [edit: just heard from one of the developers that they are working on this update and the Buena Vista Street area as we speak!] You then end up back on Main Street, U.S.A. and back down to the Castle to explore all over again. (I won’t give away all the surprises, but there are a lot of them!)

Quite a few of the interactive games are perfect for little ones and rated my 3 year-old’s seal of approval. Now I know I can keep him entertained with Ariel’s undersea friends, any time of the day. I think my favorite games were trying to capture a photo of the Yeti from Matterhorn (I wish it saved these to my photos on my iPad!) and the epic pirate battle within Pirates of the Caribbean. You can even enter the Animation Academy and learn how to draw one of the Fab 4 characters. There’s also a menu button to press and see all of the location choices in list form, in case you want to look for a particular attraction or dining location.

Ariel's Undersea Adventure offers fun for the littlest fans

I know I will spend hours just relaxing and enjoying the magic of this little app – free from the AppStore. It is the perfect pick-me-up in between Disneyland visits. I can imagine something like this for the Walt Disney World Resort would require many more months of creation time, but I have hope they’ll be releasing one for the Florida parks and even better – the international parks. I may never let my iPad leave my side if that were to happen. If you need even more convincing, enjoy the Disneyland Explorer preview video below –

The magical sights and sounds of Disneyland Resort can now be discovered with “Disneyland Explorer,”the official Disney Parks app available for iPad. The free app invites parents and kids to explore some of the many thrilling and whimsical experiences that can be found at Disneyland Resort, a premiere, multi-day, family vacation destination in Southern California.

With “Disneyland Explorer,” users can swipe their way from Pirates of the Caribbean to “World of Color” to themed suites at the Disneyland Hotel, discovering more than 100 exciting things to see and do across the resort. Users tap beautiful images, animation and interactive touch points that represent experiences inside Disneyland park, Disney California Adventure park, Downtown Disney District and all three hotels of the Disneyland Resort.

Touch points within the photo-realistic carousel reveal photos, videos and special activities inspired by classic attractions and entertainment.  As users explore the Resort, day changes to night with spectacular colors, lights, and fireworks.

Animations are triggered as users scroll through the parks, hotels and Downtown Disney District, revealing surprises such as Dumbo in flight above Sleeping Beauty Castle. Users  discover items that are both fun and historical, from the Mad Hatter popping out of a tea cup to vintage video of Walt Disney dedicating Disneyland.

Users will:

• Tour the galaxy with Star Tours – the Adventures Continue
• Learn to draw their favorite Disney characters at the Animation Academy
• Create their own musical water show in “World of Color”
• Steer a Soarin’ hang glider over California, while collecting and sharing personalized postcards
• Bring the iconic dolls of “it’s a small world” to life and hear the classic song in five different languages
• Snap photos of the elusive Yeti as he roams across Matterhorn Mountain
• Take part in a raging sea battle in Pirates of the Caribbean

“Disneyland Explorer” is a free app, available exclusively from App Store on iPad (www.itunes.com/appstore). More of the fun and excitement at the Disneyland Resort will become available on “Disneyland Explorer” throughout the year.

Interactive World of Color

I was curious as to how we’d be seated for the night, since I knew Raglan Road did not have a closed-off area and the event was for 63 people. For those who’ve not yet been, throughout the restaurant you will find antique furnishings, grand fixtures, marble adornments, leaded glass, and ornate detailing.  The entire pub was built in Ireland then shipped to Orlando. As we arrived, the Irish band was just taking the stage.

Raglan Road is pleasing to the eye and ear from the moment you step inside.

We were taken to the Raglan Room to the left of the stage and bar. This oak-paneled room was built using original woods from an old Georgian mansion in Dublin. It was nicely intimate while still enjoying the ambiance of the rest of the venue.When we were seated, we found some nice items waiting for us.

At each place setting was a rose, a souvenir menu, and an autographed copy of Chef Kevin Dundon's most recent cookbook.

There were both large and small tables throughout the room. We were seated at a table for six. Like most group seating at Disney, there is usually an instant topic of conversation because of course, we are all fans of Disney. In this case, added to that was the fact that we were all lovers of food and wine and looking forward to the evenings selections. Soon our first choices were offered – wine and appetizers.

We were given a choice of 14 Hands Merlot, 14 Hands Cabernet Sauvignon, or Terrazas Torrontes. My husband chose the Merlot and enjoyed it while I had the Torrontes and proved yet again that I do indeed like good wine. Our next choice was between an appetizer of Goat Cheese Salad with Orange and Caramelized Walnuts served on a bed of Organic greens or Crispy Filet of Fresh Atlantic Salmon served in a Saffron Broth with Stewed Grape Tomatoes. I chose the former and my husband chose the latter.

Goat Cheese Salad with Orange & Caramelized Walnuts Served on a bed of Organic Greens. Delicious.

I cannot adequately put into words how well the components of this salad worked together. Individually, they were all wonderful, but when you combined the goat cheese with an orange, it burst with flavor. With the caramelized walnuts, it was a whole new taste and with the little peppered Parmesan cheese crust, another completely different and delicious combination. Pretty much perfection in a salad!

Crispy Fresh Atlantic Salmon in Saffron Broth with basil and stewed grape tomatoes

Here I have to admit that I am not a salmon person. I have tried it so many times and I just don’t enjoy it. However, my husband insisted I had to try this, and he was right. It really was wonderful. Even the tomatoes (which I also do not usually like) just melted in your mouth.

Next up, the soup that both of us were so looking forward to – Delicate Lobster Bisque garnished with Crème Fraiche and Lobster Meat. I don’t think any of the diners were prepared for the amazing presentation of this dish:

A bowl was brought out to each diner, with some fresh lobster meat and a dollop of crème fraiche...

Soon, the waitstaff came around with pots of the lobster bisque broth and added it to each bowl...

Instantly, the crème fraiche began melting into the bisque...

Resulting in a simply beautiful bowl of Lobster Bisque - not too heavy, perfectly seasoned and delectable.

Now I have to say, I could’ve gone home at this point completely satisfied, everything was so wonderful. The entrees were soon on their way and we had another choice here: Roast Loin of Lamb with Dauphinoise Potatoes and miniature Lamb Pie or Oven-roasted Turbot with Crispy Potato Scales and Caper Vinaigrette served on a Leek Fondue. My husband chose the lamb and I the turbot.

As you can see, the presentation was impeccable. The shot glass full of lamb pie was adorable and my husband thought every item was superb.

My Oven-roasted Turbot was wonderful. A Perfect combination of flavors and textures.

And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, dessert was individual mugs of Baked Chocolate Fondant (very similar to a chocolate souffle to my non-expert palate) with Stout-flavored ice cream. Again, presentation was all part of the experience here:

The cups of Baked Chocolate Fondue...

The stout-flavored ice cream melting into the fondue. Wonderful!

After desserts were served, we were all brought an Irish coffee which was a nice nightcap to the evening. Plates of hand-made Irish truffles were then also brought out to each table.

Our Irish Coffee to end the meal.

Hand-made Irish Truffles and Chocolates

After the final desserts, Chef Kevin Dundon came out and spoke to each person at every table. He was extremely personable and open to discussing the dishes and his work. It was a nice treat to meet the chef behind the creations we’d just enjoyed and Raglan Road Pub’s menu as well.

Chef Dundon speaking to our table-mates.

Of course I couldn't pass up a picture with Chef Dundon after we chatted. He loves Boston by the way.

All in all, it was a simply spectacular evening. I was so happy to be able to enjoy it with my husband. It has been a long time since we’ve experienced such a gourmet meal alone together. I would like to personally thank Chef Dundon and the staff at Raglan Road for the impeccable service we received. This night differed from the previous Tables in Wonderland event I’d been to in that it was a little larger and more focused on overall flavor combinations versus the one or two ingredients that the prior event featured. I’m really glad I was able to experience both and that’s just part of the benefit to being a Tables in Wonderland member!

I would have had this review posted sooner, but I had been trying in vain to get an interview from the exceptionally busy Chef Dundon. Finally I decided to just share the experience with you all and hopefully I’ll be able to post the interview sometime in the future (maybe even with a signed cookbook giveaway too!). Be sure to let the Raglan Road twitter account you’d love to read Chef Dundon’s interview on ZannaLand. UPDATE: The fine folks at the Raglan Road Pub twitter account informed me this morning that a response had been sent and to check my spam folder. I did and low and behold, there were the answers. Color me embarrassed! Stay tuned for Chef Kevin Dundon’s interview and a book giveaway next week! Interview or not, look for more unique items like those featured here when you visit Raglan Road at Downtown Disney and more events like this from Tables in Wonderland!

YoBaby 3 in 1 Meals multipack

A while back I was given a chance to receive and review Stonyfield Farm‘s new YoBaby Meals. I was completely intrigued by this concept. I had been a YoBaby fan from when they first came out, when my now 11 year-old was a baby. I think he survived on YoBaby organic yogurts for breakfast or lunch for more than a year!

The difference with YoBaby Meals is they offer a unique 3-in-1 combination of protein-packed yogurt + fruit + veggie purée in one cup. They’re an easy, delicious and surprising way to help moms give their babies and toddlers a trio of important food groups at every meal. They come in three delicious flavors – Pear & Green Bean, Peach & Squash, Apple & Sweet Potato – just right for baby’s growing appetite.

When I tried YoBaby Meals my littlest guy was just under a year. He had already formed the discerning palate of ‘if it’s green, I don’t want it’ however. Surprisingly, he loved the YoBaby Meals! I was concerned that the flavor combinations might be too odd and he’d refuse them, but that was not the case. He loved each and every flavor we tried. His favorite was the Apple and Sweet Potato. The only issue I had when I tried them was that he couldn’t finish an entire container at once. Stonyfield Farm has fixed that issue with their new smaller sized meals. They listened, and created the new size based on what consumers were requesting. It’s that kind of personal involvement which is just one of the attributes of Stonyfield Farm.

If by chance you haven’t heard of Stonyfield Farm, let me share that they are celebrating their 26th year and are the world’s leading organic yogurt company. Their all natural and certified organic yogurt, smoothies, milk, cultured soy, frozen yogurt and ice cream are distributed nationally. The company advocates that healthy food can only come from a healthy planet. Its organic ingredient purchases keep over 100,000 farm acres free of toxic, persistent pesticides and chemical fertilizers that can contaminate soil, rivers and drinking water. To help reduce global warming, Stonyfield offsets all of the C02 emissions generated from its facility energy use. The company also started a nonprofit called Climate Counts (climatecounts.org) which shows people how they can help fight climate change by the way they shop and invest. Stonyfield also donates 10% of its profits to efforts that help protect and restore the Earth. For more information about Stonyfield Farm , its products and initiatives, visit www.stonyfield.com.

Look at this adorable stuff!

As part of my review, Stonyfield Farm is providing me with a GIVEAWAY for my readers!

One winner will receive:

1 Yobaby travel bowl with lid
1 Yobaby organic cotton bib
1 Eric Carle growth chart
3 free Yobaby Meals coupons

If you would like to enter the giveaway, follow the directions below–

STONYFIELD FARM GIVEAWAY

To enter, comment below sharing what Stonyfield Farm or YoBaby product you are most looking forward to trying. I’d love to hear if you’ve tried their yogurts in the past too, but that has no bearing on the contest winner.

Additional entries (please comment for each additional entry letting me know)

• Become a fan of ZannaLand on facebook
  
• Become a fan of Stonyfield Farm on facebook (I’m sure they’d love a comment too!)
• Follow Stonyfield Farm on twitter  (feel free to @ them with any feedback!)
• Follow ZannaLand on twitter
  
• Follow ZannaLand on Networked Blogs on Facebook
• Join ZannaLand on Google Friend Connect (join box on bottom right of ZannaLand)

That’s 6 additional entries for just a few clicks. Contest ends midnight February 25, 2010 and winner will be announced February 26, 2010. I will assign a number to each entry and use Random.org to pick a winner. Good luck and thanks for participating!

Disclosure: I was provided with coupons and free YoBaby meals for this product review, as well as the items for the giveaway. That did not affect my review in any way, my baby really liked them! I was also provided with facts from Stonyfield’s press release for use in this post.

Now that Epcot’s 14th Annual International Food & Wine Festival is coming to an end (November 8, 2009 is the last day), you may fear that your chance to sample international spirits is gone for another year. This is not the case because a new little spot opened up during the festival – La Cava del Tequila inside San Angel Inn at Epcot’s Mexico pavilion. Here you can experience an endless array of tequilas from rare to common as well as beers and specialty margaritas. In addition you can enjoy tapas-style food items as well, to form the perfect pairing to the spirits available. The full menu is available at The Disney Food Blog, who’s updates on twitter first informed me of the margarita I wanted to try – the Aguacate.

On our last visit to the Food & Wine Festival, we enjoyed several of the food items around the world we’d missed on our first trip, and also made time to include a special trip to La Cava del Tequila. As you enter the San Angel Inn of World Showcase’s Mexico pavilion, the new spot is over to the right. The permanent twilight atmosphere already present inside the pavilion is the perfect backdrop for this new edition. As you enter La Cava, you instantly feel transported to a cozy little hole in the wall. There are taller pub tables where you can stand, order and enjoy your picks, as well as tables lining the wall. The tiny room can fill up fast, so you can also order your drinks to go at the bar and carry them with you around the pavilion (except on the boat ride of course) or outside to enjoy the rest of World Showcase.

Without a flash, you can see the true ambiance as you enter La Cava

To the left as you enter is the impressive array of Tequilas available

Tables sit along the right wall in front of a beautiful mural

Menus are also available at the taller pub tables

Pouring shots of tequila

My husband is a tequila fan and had a hard time deciding on which tequila to try. In the end, he went with a shot of Cabo Wabo Gold (he is a Van Halen fan as well, so this combined the best of both worlds).

Tequila shot served with Sangrita, lime and salt

My mom and I agreed to share the Aguacate margarita. I wanted to try it because it features the unique ingredient of avocado! It sounded strange, but I’m always up for experiencing new tastes. The ingredients are: El Mayor Blanco Tequila, Midori melon liquor, fresh avocado mixed with fresh lime juice and agave nectar syrup, served frozen with a hibiscus Himalayan salt rim. Sounds interesting, right? Part of the fun was watching the bartender create the drink right before us, mixing a half an avocado right into the blender.

Adding Midori to the mix

What resulted was a truly unique taste. It’s definitely not as sweet as a traditional frozen margarita, which I liked. It was also the smoothest drink I’ve ever had as a result of the avocado. It was not like drinking blended ice at all, but almost like a cold custard. A VERY potent custard! I am not a big drinker and after a few sips I’d reached my limit. It’s also a recipe for instant brain freeze, so beware!

The finished Aguacate - see how smooth it is?

Since we were on our way around the world sampling the Food & Wine Festival kiosks, we did not try any of the food items, but I would definitely go back and make an afternoon of settling back in and enjoying the atmosphere and options available. Probably without kids too, although there are non-alcoholic and dessert sampling options available too.

Next time you’re in Epcot, stop in and take a look around even if you are not a drinker. It’s a wonderful addition to an already enjoyable respite from the heat and sun. You will be treated like an amigo from the moment you enter, and feel right at home. Let me know what you try and what your favorites are!

On Raglan Road on an autumn day I met her first and knew
That her dark hair would weave a snare that I might one day rue;
I saw the danger, yet I walked along the enchanted way,
And I said, let grief be a fallen leaf at the dawning of the day.
–On Raglan Road, Patrick Kavanaugh

This popular Irish poem was in turn made into a song which many have covered, perhaps none so well as Luke Kelley‘s original. Such a beautiful song crafted from words that sweep you up and place you in another time…

One half of my mother’s side is from Ireland, County Leitrim and also the Isle of Man, so I’m told. Growing up where I did in Massachusetts, you were pretty much Irish or Italian for the most part (and I married an Italian). So Irish culture, customs and history have always been a part of my childhood and interests. I’d love to trace my ancestry and of course visit the beautiful countryside that Ireland is known for.

That said, the cooking going on at Raglan Road Pub in Downtown Disney, is nothing like my grandmother used to make. (Thank goodness!) Nan was known for boiling pretty much everything she prepared, and seasonings were never to be found. But we cleaned our plates every holiday in her house – we knew better than to complain! Raglan Road Pub, by comparison, takes some of the great dishes Ireland is known for and puts a gourmet twist to their preparation, leaving you satisfied and planning your next visit back.

This was our family’s second visit, the first time being a few years prior. We loved it then, but our children’s palates were going through a particularly picky phase, so we held off returning until now. Both of the older children had a wonderful time this visit and it’s now a favorite among all of us. I’d like to share some of our favorites from Raglan Road’s creations with you:

a drink coaster offers some tips on speaking Dublin-ese

of course no coaster is complete without a Guinness on top!

A family favorite appetizer, Calamari

a modern twist on the classic Shepard's Pie

An appetizer I had to have as my meal: Scallop Forest - served on forks!

I don't even like Bread Pudding - but I loved this - delicious!!

Raspberry Pavlova - this was *divine*

Other items enjoyed but not pictured are of course the famous Fish & Chips – spot on! The kids enjoyed the Chicken Tenders and a burger, and the salad I had with my scallops was also wonderful. I really just couldn’t decide what to get for my entree which is why I went with the Scallop Forest. It was delicious and fun to eat, despite being a bit messy with scallop juices running down the forks!

I apologize for the quality on the pictures – during this trip I somehow lost about 50 pictures from my camera’s memory card. I had a bunch of the gorgeous interior of Raglan Road as well. All that means is I just have to make sure I get back over to Raglan Road again soon!! Won’t hear me complaining, it was, as usual, a wonderful dining experience. You truly feel transported to another place that seems thousands of miles from Orlando. I hope someday to visit the real Raglan Road, and find the places my ancestors may have walked in Ireland, but until then, this is a pretty fine substitute.

If you’d like to see even more of the fun, check out Raglan Road’s hilarious website, chock full of Irish humor and interactive fun. You’ll definitely want to add this hidden gem to your ‘must eats’ while visiting Disney World! If you haven’t seen it before, Raglan Road is located right across the bridge to Pleasure Island. Lunch is served 11:00am to 3:00pm, dinner from 3:00pm to 11:00pm with the Bar Menu Served all day. Live Entertainment starts at 6:00pm to midnight, with their Irish band and Irish dancer, who perform 6 nights a week. 

Also if you are on Twitter, be sure to follow @RaglanRoadPub. The pub just celebrated its fourth birthday, so be sure to wish them well!

I will admit, up until now, I was one of those “I don’t need a guide!” guests that just wanted to discover them on my own without a book to lead the way. I will also admit after reading Steve’s book, I am a complete convert! The first thing I had to do was pry the book away from my 10 year-old son long enough to read it. The fact that he got so enthralled by this book speaks volumes. He is at the age where he likes to pretend he’s ‘too cool’ for lots of Disney things (I have no doubt it’s a phase, he’s being brought up in a Disney household, it’s a way of life ) but with this book he couldn’t contain his excitement. Every other minute was a new comment of, “Wow there’s one here…we have to find that!” as well as, “This guy must’ve spent forever finding all of these!” (He was very impressed with your book & work, Mr. Barrett!) His reaction and excitement really warmed my heart – and we hadn’t even gotten to the parks yet!

This Mickey is hiding in the Polynesian resort!

Building on this new phenomenon, author Steven M. Barrett, an Orlando-area emergency room physician by day, decided to record many of the Hidden Mickeys into book form, for all guests to follow along as they toured the parks. Now enjoying its 4th edition, the Hidden Mickeys Field Guide is published in a thin paperback design, so it’s perfect to carry around with you or slip into a diaper bag or purse without being cumbersome as you walk around the parks.

Now don’t go thinking this book is just a collection of all the Hidden Mickeys for you to find and check-off like a grocery list. Oh no, it’s much more than that. The book is designed like a scavenger hunt. The Hidden Mickeys are organized by location, but listed as clues, with points for each depending on the level of difficulty in spotting them. You can decide if you prefer to find them as a group, or individually: awarding the points to whomever finds the Mickey first, or grouping your total points together.

If scavenger hunts aren’t your thing, you don’t have to use the points at all! Additionally, if the clues in the scavenger hunt section still have you puzzled, there is a “Hints” section for each chapter which gives more extensive info on the Hidden Mickeys in question. If you’d rather just check a specific place you are currently visiting, the index in the back of the book lists the pages where you can find the Mickey clues in each locale. Steve really has thought of everything!

As with all things Disney, they are sometimes subject to change. Steve encourages readers to check out his website HiddenMickeysGuide.com for up-to-date information on new and eliminated Hidden Mickeys. The site is a great place to get confirmation that what you found on your quest is the same Mickey described in the book, with 1000′s of pictures to check out. If you find a new Hidden Mickey on your travels, just post it on the site. If it’s the first siting, you may even get mentioned in Steve’s next edition of the Hidden Mickey Field Guide.

Author Steven M. Barrett

note: I would like to thank The Intrepid Traveler for sending me the Hidden Mickey guides for this review. Look for a review of the Disneyland book in the coming weeks! Also, I have never met Steven Barrett, but I refer to him as Steve throughout this review in the spirit of Walt Disney’s “first name” policy. I hope to meet up with him some day and thank him in person!

The Aloha Isle counter serves this heavenly pineapple soft-serve creation, which visitors with dairy issues enjoy because it is virtually dairy free. I am not ashamed to admit I have made a specific trip to the Magic Kingdom for a Dole Whip – and nothing else (one of the perks of living close to Disney World). Part of the draw for this mouthwatering creation is the fact that is available in only 3 locations in all of the world – Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort and the state of Hawaii. Fans of Dole Whip have started countless pages on the internet devoted to recreating this unique recipe. This is not easy to do since the real Dole Whip does not contain milk so it’s never going to be ‘just right’. There are also places that sell the dry mix to make in commercial ice cream machines, but if I could make it at home any time, I think some of that specialness would wear off. Part of what makes it so magical is where you get to enjoy it.

Now – controversial part! For the record, you don’t have to get pineapple Dole Whip at Aloha Isle – also available are vanilla, chocolate or swirl soft serve, or a root beer or coke float. A pineapple float with Dole pineapple juice and Dole Whip on top is another popular choice. But the real question is – How do you take your Dole Whip? PLAIN pineapple Dole Whip – or SWIRL with vanilla and pineapple Dole Whip together?? You’ll find people defend their choices quite strongly if you ask around.

Personally, I have always been and will always be a SWIRL girl. The tart and tangy pineapple mixes perfectly with the sweetness of the vanilla. Mmmmm. What’s funny is last time we had a Dole Whip with our friends from California, the husbands stood in a very long line in the intense heat to get our whole group of 6 Dole Whips. When my husband came over with mine, I took a few bites and thought “Hmm, something’s off here…” I asked if he was sure he got a swirl and he said yes, that’s what he asked for. I tried again but it just wasn’t right. I looked and noticed the other cups of Dole Whip had the signature yellow and white swirl going on. My sainted husband went back up and the gracious cast member, Bob from Chicago kindly made me a new one. Sweet perfection!! So yes, I feel a bit strongly too, I simply cannot be a plain pineapple person – I must have the swirl! That is not to say pineapple doesn’t taste good on it’s own, but that the vanilla just makes it so much better.

So what are you? A Pineapple Person or a Pineapple-Vanilla Swirl person? Share your vote – or better yet a picture of you or your family enjoying your favorite choice and I will update the entry with your photos and votes. If you have not yet had the pleasure of experience the wonders of Dole Whip, make sure you add it to your bucket list – you won’t regret it!

Antelope, Giraffes and Zebra, that’s who! And that is just a few of the many animals you can see right from the windows of Sanaa (pronounced Sah-NAH) the newest restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Sanaa is located in the Kidani Village section of Animal Kingdom Lodge, a new area built for Disney’s Vacation Club members. Kidani Village contains studio, 1 or 2 bedroom villa suites. This area has its own lobby and check-in area, its own pool and recreation area and its own savanna, viewable from many of the villas as well as Sanaa itself.

While the lobby area is not as breathtaking as Jambo House (the original Animal Kingdom Lodge section) it is still quite beautiful. It is more cozy. However, you will still be in awe as you walk down the spiral staircase to Sanaa and get your first glimpse of the savanna. The staircase itself is beautiful, and the thatched roof above this area is amazing. After you check in for your reservations at Sanaa, feel free to explore the hallway directly behind you. It is beautiful on its own and you can see the animals from all the windows. There is a viewing area outside, where you can walk out and see the animals closer without glass to get in the way. There are cast members out there to ask questions and a firepit for late night story-telling.

As we were brought to our table, we were told that Sanaa was meant to represent a marketplace – the decor is to look like the trees of a village and a colorful marketplace within it. We were lucky enough to be seated right at a window. Our server welcomed us and carefully explained how the menu at Sanaa worked, with its special entrees and drinks. We instantly felt special and taken care of with the patience and attention we received. I would add that this was because we were celebrating a birthday there, but I was actually quick to notice that all the tables around us, with the same and different servers, received this same incredible

Decor in Sanaa - Can you find the Hidden Mickey?

We ordered the Indian Bread Sampler, where you pick 3 types of breads and 3 accompaniments. The bread choices are Naan, Roti, Paratha, Paneer Paratha. We chose all but the Roti. The accompaniments to choose from are: Mint and Onion Raita, Cucumber Raita, Coriander Chutney, Mango Chutney, Garlic-Ginger Pickle, Mango-Lime Pickle, Roasted Red Bell Pepper Hummus, Tamarind Chutney. Your server can explain better than I the differences between all of these choices, but we went with the Cucumber Raita, Hummus, and Garlic-Ginger Pickle. We loved them all. I highly recommend this sampler, because there will be something for everyone and at the very least, you can share plain naan with your picky eaters.

We also ordered the Mustard Seed Crusted Scallops with a coconut cream sauce. I am a sucker for all things coconut, but even if you are not a fan, it’s not an overpowering coconut flavor. These scallops were perhaps the best I’ve ever eaten. They were perfection on a plate. I would go back and order 2 orders for an entree, they were that good! I definitely want to try the Samosas next time though, because I’m sure they are delicious too.

For an entree, I ordered the Tandoori Chicken. I have had Tandoor chicken many times before, so I knew I couldn’t go wrong with it. To my surprise, it came already off the bone and in fork-sized pieces. Perfect! It came with your choice of Basmati rice or 5-grain Pilaf. “From the Tandoor Ovens” also has a shrimp or lamb chop option rather than the chicken.

Other menu options include slow-cooked meats, or a vegetarian option as well, including chicken or shrimp curry, paneer cheese and spinach, or beef short ribs. Also available are African Cooking with Indian Flavors, which feature Cornish Game Hen, Strip Steak, Dum Biryani and a Sustainable Fish, which changes nightly.

Our meals were just fantastic, and though were worried about my picky 10 year-old, as you read, he loved his naan pizza. My daughter enjoyed her Meaty Macaroni made with ground turkey as well. The problem with dinner was that we were so full from the delicious appetizers and entrees that we had no room for dessert, which, if you know me and my family at all, is shocking.

As we dined, various animals strolled past, stopping to eat some strategically placed hay, or hanging out by the trees further back. We loved watching the Antelope *right* outside our window. Soon many friends joined and later the far-off Giraffes came by to say hello. In the distance we could see Wildebeests, Zebras, and the long-horned Ankole Cattle. We saw Ostriches off to the side and Red Crown Cranes came up closer than any other creature, since they could fly around the little unobtrusive barriers set up so you don’t end up having Wildebeest for dessert. Even the server remarked that there was an unusually large turn-out of animals that night.

While we were enjoying the view, we started to hear drums from the front of the restaurant. I thought they must just do a musical presentation, but as we continued to watch, the drummers paraded through the restaurant and over to a table where they sang a Sanaa version of Happy Birthday. I thought that was really impressive, but then they came over to our table for my mom’s birthday. They sang the song again and it was SO moving! Way different than a plain ol’ Happy Birthday by weary servers that you usually see in restaurants. Everyone was clapping along to the beat and looked genuinely excited for your celebration. After the song, a hostess handed my mom the Disney birthday card that you usually get, signed by various characters. However – this card was signed by every member of the front of the house staff, with wishes in their native language. I just thought that was the coolest thing ever. As a result, I *highly* recommend Sanaa for a birthday celebration. I know that’s where I’m headed for MY birthday this year.

All in all, our experience with Sanna was a marvelous one. I have been singing its praises ever since to anyone that’ll stand still. I loved it there, and so did the whole family. It is not just a place to eat…it is an experience – one which you’ll likely treasure for years to come. If you are planning a trip to Disney World, include Sanaa in those plans. If you do, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Oh! I almost forgot – on our way out we stopped at the restroom. I’m not sure I’ve ever said this about a restroom or not, but it was GORGEOUS. Beautiful dark wood and stone…just beautiful. Make sure you make a stop there before you go!

All photos are ©Zanna DiMarzio under Creative Commons license – more photos available at Flickr.

Well that has to be Epcot’s 14th Annual International Food & Wine Festival, which runs from September 25-November 8, 2009 this year at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Whether you have been to Epcot enough times to rattle off the location of each hidden Mickey in the park, or you are planning your very first visit – the World Showcase’s reputation for great food is well known. Roaming from the Margaritas in Mexico’s San Angel Inn to the steaks cooked to perfection in Canada’s Le Cellier, to the pastries in France’s Boulangerie, you will not go hungry in Epcot. However, if you want even more scrumptious treats, wines, and beers from countries that are not normally represented at Epcot, then you won’t want to miss the Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival .

As soon as you enter the World Showcase section of Epcot with your theme park admission, the delicious smells of delicacies from across the globe waft around you, making your stomach growl in anticipation. Oh, did I mention to come hungry? That’s a must. No filling up on a character breakfast buffet before visiting the Food & Wine Festival – you will thank me later! Most likely, you’ll have a hard time deciding which of the tapas-style food creations (priced between $2-$7 a plate) to try. The unique wine and beer pairings simply add to the experience.

This year the festival, which always features a different annual theme (although many favorite dishes return each year), is focusing on “foodie” cities from around the world. There are more than 25 kiosks serving food and wine around the World Showcase promenade – highlights of which include Bologna, Italy; Bangkok, Thailand; Wellington, New Zealand; Santiago, Chile; Marrakesh, Morocco; Shanghai, China; with New Orleans going to bat for the United States.

Be sure you pick up a guide map at the park entrance, so you can follow along with all the great selections and decide which food and drink stations you can’t miss. While I could say to just try them all, even the most competitive eaters might not be able to pull off trying ever offering in one day. One way to go would be make one trip around to try all the new foods as you walk around and enjoy the sites and sounds of World Showcase, then take a break in Future World as you digest, and make another trip around for some of the wonderful desserts featured at the pavilions.

My son eating escargot. Yes, ESCARGOT.

On a personal note, this festival has always been a ‘must-see’ for our family. We were here when it began in 1995, because we were cast members at the time. The 2nd year, my husband and I were getting married during the festival’s run, and showing our relatives and friends the amazing offerings in the days before we had our reception at the Walt Disney World Dolphin.

Years later our children look forward to it each year as well. Would you believe my son’s favorite part is eating the escargot from France each year?? Yes, you read that right – snails! It’s a great way to get kids excited about trying new foods and learning about new countries and traditions in the process.

Here are some of our favorite kiosks, taken from the Disney Food & Wine Festival page:

Athens, Greece

Location: Canada Pavilion

* • Greek Salad with Pita Bread
* • Spanakopita (Savory Spinach and Cheese Pastry)
* • Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki
* • Baklava
* • Beverage Selection: Boutari Moschofilero, Boutari Santorini, Kourtaki Mavrodaphne of Patras, Tsantali Rapsani

Greece is one of the most popular kiosks along with Canada (cheddar soup anyone?) so be prepared for a wait, with good cause!

Paris, France

Location: France Pavilion

* • Escargot Persillade en Brioche
* • Cabernet Short Ribs with Mashed Potatoes
* • Chocolate Milk Creme Brûlée
* • Beverage Selection : Chardonnay (Bouchard Ainee & Fils, 2007), Merlot (Chateau Mezain, Bordeaux, 2007), Sparking Pomegranate Kir, Parisien Cosmo Slush

As mentioned, my son LOVES escargot. It is a tradition he looks forward to each year. My daughter has taken to trying the French dessert each year, a girl after my own heart, she knows quality! Ooh, and I may have to try that Cosmo Slush!

Melbourne, Australia

Location: Africa Outpost

* • Seared Barramundi with Blistered Cherry Tomatoes, Arugula and Lemon Oil
* • Grilled Lamb Chop, Red Wine Sauce, Murray River Sea Salt
* • Lamington
* • Beverage Selection: Rosemount Traminer Riesling, Rosemount Pinot Noir, Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet, Penfolds Bin 2

I am not a big lamb person myself, but my husband and mother actually save room for this lamb chop every festival. It’s just that good so I’m told.

There are many more kiosks, including new offerings from Bangkok, Thailand and Rio de Janiero, Brazil. As if that wasn’t enough, there is also a new “Desserts and Champagne” kiosk which I think will be a must-visit for me this year!

Desserts & Champagne — NEW

Location: Showcase Plaza

* • Austrian Gugelhupf (Austrian Bundt Cake)
* • Strawberry Shortcake
* • Frozen Grand Marnier Parfait, Orange Coulis
* • Champagne
* • Beverage Selection: Moët & Chandon Wines: Impérial, Rosé Impérial, Nectar Impérial, Nectar Impérial Rosé

While you may come for the food, there is much more than just eating and drinking happening around the promenade. There are culinary demonstrations, beer and wine tastings from around the world, and Signature Dining Series for the true gourmands, featuring guest speakers and chefs serving up delectable lunches and dinners, for a separate fee. In addition to all the edible enjoyment, you can Eat to the Beat with some wonderful musicians that keep things rocking while you enjoy the tastes of the world.

There are the 17 scheduled performers for this year’s Eat to the Beat concert series which is included with Epcot admission and begin at 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45 p.m. daily. The lineup (subject to change) includes:

Eat to the Beat concert series schedule:*
Sept. 25-27 Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (“You & Me & The Bottle Makes 3 Tonight (Baby)”)
Sept. 28-29 Richard Marx (“Hold On to the Nights”)
Sept. 30-Oct. 3 Starship starring Mickey Thomas (“We Built This City”)
Oct. 4-6 En Vogue (“Free Your Mind”)
Oct. 7-8 Better Than Ezra (“Good”)
Oct. 9-11 Sister Hazel (“All for You”)
Oct. 12-13 Kool & The Gang (“Celebration”)
Oct. 14-16 Spyro Gyra (“Morning Dance”)
Oct. 17-18 Jon Secada (“Just Another Day”)
Oct. 19-20 Sister Sledge (“We Are Family”)
Oct. 21-22 Vanessa Carlton (“A Thousand Miles”)
Oct. 23-25 Taylor Dayne (“Tell It to My Heart”)
Oct. 26-28 Boyz II Men (“Motownphilly”)
Oct. 29-31 John Waite (“Missing You”)
Nov. 1-2 Night Ranger (“Sister Christian”)
Nov. 3-5 Billy Ocean (“Caribbean Queen”)
Nov. 6-8 Los Lobos (“La Bamba”)

Don’t forget to grab an extra dessert, drink and a spot for viewing Illuminations: Reflections of Earth – Epcot’s mesmerizing nighttime fireworks show, featuring awe-inspiring fireworks, fountains, lasers and music – the perfect nightcap to a delicious Disney day.

Additional Information may be found at Disney World’s Food & Wine Festival page.
*Entertainment subject to change

There was a Walt Disney World Annual Passholder preview on Sunday, June 28th, so we decided to drive over and check it out. The last time we’d seen this show was in November of 2007, when Maya Angelou was still narrating, and the movie/history leading up to the Presidential roll call was quite, quite long. However, I had hope that this NEW Hall of Presidents would be great.

I was right. First, before entering the theatre, there were some historical items in the lobby area. First Ladies’ dresses, W’s boots, interesting things to pass the time. Our wait wasn’t too long though and soon we were seated inside.

We instantly recognized the narrator as Morgan Freeman, who seems to have replaced James Earl Jones as the most awe-inspiring orator out there right now. I love his voice. He told the story of the Presidents from the point of view of them being ‘ordinary men’ highlighting Washington’s choice to step down after two terms, Andrew Jackson’s run as the first non-aristocratic nominee, the two Roosevelt’s and Kennedy’s connection to the people, and finally Obama’s historic win.

The Lincoln audioanimatronic also came out in the middle of the film sequence, stood up and read his entire Gettysburg address, and soon it was time for the remaining Presidents to appear. They each nodded when the spotlight hit them, as usual.

Next, Barrack Hussein Obama announced himself and recited his Oath of Office. He also made a speech about the American spirit that lives within all of us. Quite moving. The whole attraction leaves you uplifted and renewed with patriotism, something I can honestly say I did not feel the last time we attended the attraction.

If you are a Disney fan and will be visiting The World soon, I highly encourage a visit to this sometimes overlooked attraction. You’ll be glad you did!

(image courtesy of wdwmagic.com)

So there you go. More reviews to come. If there is a product, service, film, book, or anything you’d like me to review here, please just drop me a line.