Disney Infinity

So Ryan and I are true kids at heart. We are hooked on the new Disney Infinity game. First, we love collecting the characters and power discs. In fact I was telling Ryan it reminded me of my childhood when you could buy the blind POG packs and be surprised as to what was inside. The power discs are no different. And the game itself is wonderful! It is truly something we can play together and both be happy. There are plenty of two player video games out there, but Ryan usually just runs amuck on them and I can't keep up. I guess I didn't keep up with my video game skills after the release of the original Nintendo. This game though is something we can truly play together. I highly recommend it for children and children at heart!

A Few Disney Memories

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disney Pin Purchases

When we go to Disney World, Ryan and I try and collect pins to help us remember our experiences. We don't really collect them, other than the event pins. We have decided to display in some way at our home, so that we can be reminded of what great times we have had at Disney. The ones we collected this vacation were:

Disney Epcot's 30th Anniversary

Nothing too exciting happened on the 30th Anniversary of Epcot, but to say that we were at our favorite park on it's 30th birthday was pretty cool. They did give out a special button and throwback maps at the entrance to the park, so that was kinda neat. Although we didn't have much time to spend in the park, as our airport transportation left at 11:55am, we still go to do the quintessential ride, "Spaceship Earth." So I considered that to be our something old, then we rode "Mission: Space," our something new. Finally, we enjoyed the Food and Wine Festival a bit more before having to go. The best part was that we purchased the 30th Anniversary pin, shown above, two days prior, so that we didn't have to wait in the two hour plus long line the day of the event. Score! Happy Birthday Epcot!

Disney Epcot's Food and Wine Festival

So, instead of writing a laboriously long blog post about how amazing the Food and Wine Festival was, let me just hit the high notes and tell you what we ate. Everything tasted amazing, except for the Taste of Scandinavia. I think it was just a preference thing, but that was the only dish Ryan and I didn't enjoy. I put some favorites below, but it was really hard to choose because everything, and I seriously mean everything, was so tasty!

Australia, Introduced: 1997
Shrimp on the Barbie with Pepper Berry Citrus Glaze

Belgium, Introduced: 2010
Belgian Waffle with Berry Compote and Whipped Cream

Canada, Introduced: 1996
“Le Cellier” Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon with Truffle Butter Sauce

Caribbean Islands, Introduced: 2011
Jerk Spiced Chicken Drumstick with Mango ChutneyBacardi® Torched Cherry Frozen Cherry Limeade

Cheese, Introduced: 2010
Trio of Artisan Cheeses: Beecher’s Flagship Reserve Cheddar, La Bonne Vie Goat Brie and Rogue River Creamery Echo Mountain Blue Cheese

Craft Beers
Leinenkugel Berry Weiss, Chippewa Falls, WI - Ryan Beer Favorite

Desserts and Champagne, Introduced: 2000
Nesquick Frozen Chocolate Foam

Fife and Drum
Red Stag Honey Tea Lemonade by Jim Beam® - RyChar Drink Favorite

Florida, Introduced: 2012
Florida Shrimp Ceviche with Fire Roasted Vegetables, Fried Plantains and Cilantro

France, Introduced: 1996
Créme Brûlée au Chocolat au Lait
Eiffel Sour Cosmo Slush

Germany, Introduced: 1996
Roast Bratwurst in a Pretzel Roll

Greece, Introduced: 1996
Griddled Greek Cheese with Pistachios and Honey

Hawaii, Introduced: 2011
Kalua Pork Slider with Sweet and Sour Dole Pineapple Chutney and Spicy Mayonnaise - Char Food Favorite

Hops and Barley, Introduced: 2005
Linda Bean’s® Perfect Maine Lobster Roll
Samuel Adams Boston Lager®
Samuel Adams® Seasonal
Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat®
17th Anniversary Festival Beer– Samuel Adams® Chocolate Bock - Char Beer Favorite

Ireland, Introduced: 2001
Lobster and Seafood Fisherman’s Pie

Mexico, Introduced: 1996
Crispy Shrimp Taco with Chipotle Lime Mayo and Cabbage Served on a Flour Tortilla

New Zealand, Introduced: 1997
Seared Sea Scallop with Kumara Red Curry Puree and Apple Radish Salad

Poland, Introduced: 1996
Kielbasa & Potato Pierogie with Caramelized Onions and Sour Cream

Scandinavia, Introduced: 2011
Taste of Scandinavia: Cured Salmon, Herring and Shrimp Salad

Singapore, Introduced: 2005
Seared Mahi Mahi with Jasmine Rice and “Singa” Sauce - Ryan Food Favorite

South Africa, Introduced: 1997
Seared Filet of Beef with Smashed Sweet Potatoes and Braai Sauce

Disney's Tower of Terror 10-Miler

While on our Disney vacation, Ryan and I completed the Tower of Terror 10-Miler. It was a fun race, although the humidity in Florida about killed me. Ryan, who is a runner at heart, finished with the great time of 1 hour 49 minutes. I, on the other hand, have to be forced to run, so my time was a distant 2 hours 44 minutes. Yes, Ryan finished an hour before me. To be fair, he started around 10 minutes before I did, but that doesn't make it too much better. Anyway, I am surprised to have finished that quickly what with all the water stops, picture stops and 10,000+ runners. I think I could have easily finished at least 20 minutes sooner if it wasn't for all of that. Anyway, We finished, and that is all that really matters. Make sure and check out our complete race results on our respective 2012 Running Pages.

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party

I'll have to admit, the only reason that I originally bought tickets for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP) is so that Ryan and I could stay in the parks until 12pm to ride rides. In fact, MNSSHP was one of the best Disney events Ryan and I have been to! First off, it was neat to see all of the kiddos and families in their Halloween costumes. Second, the firework show was the best one Ryan and I have seen anywhere. Third, we go to ride the rides late into the night as planned. Fourth, we got to take our picture with all seven dwarfs and this party is the only time you can do that. I have to say Ryan didn't really enjoy waiting in line for 40 minutes to take a character picture. We did it anyway!

Now we can say that we have done two of the three big holidays at Disney. When we went on our Honeymoon in 2009, we had Thanksgiving Dinner at Cinderalla's Castle, and now we can add celebrating Halloween at Disney, even if it was a bit early in the season. Up next, Christmastime at Disney? I think so!

Disney Dining

One of our favorite parts of any vacation is the dining experience. While at Disney, you will eat at some of the best restaurants around, in my opinion. We ate at some old favorites as well as some new restaurants that have now made the favorites list. Below is a short list of where we ate with a general rating and a very small commentary on each.

TUESDAY

Restaurant Marrakesh

3 out of 5
Excellent atmosphere and yummy food. We enjoyed the music and belly dancer and had some of the best couscous Ryan and I had ever eaten.

Yachtsman Steakhouse

5 out of 5
This is, by far, one of our new favorite Disney restaurants. The service was impeccable and the steak I had was prepared perfectly. The manager also called our room and left a message to ensure that we had an excellent time while visiting his restaurant. Excellent experience and even better food!

WEDNESDAY

Biergarten Restaurant

5 out of 5
This was an experience I wasn't looking forward to. It seemed like I wouldn't care for much of the food they would offer, but it was a buffet, so as long as I found one thing to eat, I would be happy. Plus, Ryan was really excited about going here. I was shocked! The food was excellent and I found a lot of things I really enjoyed. They also had a polka band that was quite entertaining. A new favorite we will definitely visit again!

Teppan Edo

3 out of 5
We had been here before and liked it so we went back. The food is always overcooked, because it is more of a show than dinner. I am absolutely in love with the Cherry Blossom Martini they serve here, but the food is pretty bad, so we probably won't go back again.

THURSDAY

Liberty Tree Tavern
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3 out of 5
This was an okay restaurant. It kinda reminded me of a Black Eyed Pea. I just had a burger, but it was pretty good. It was better than eating a slice of pizza while sitting on a curb at the Magic Kingdom, but the service was slow and the food was just so-so. I don't think we'll be going back again.

Citricos

5 out of 5
This restaurant was a true surprise. I am not usually a fan of the restaurants at The Grand Floridian Hotel as they are all kinda stuffy, but this was the exception. The service was amazing, best we had, and the food was even better. I had the best pork belly ever and I'm not even that big of a fan. This is for sure a new favorite and we will be back!

FRIDAY

Food and Wine Festival

5 out of 5
What can I say? All different tastes, small samples, and they count as snack credits? Amazing!

Nine Dragons

3 out of 5
The food was amazing. Well, at least mine was. Ryan said his wasn't edible, which is saying a lot because he has never turned his nose up at anything. The atmosphere was awful and it felt very impersonal. My food was the only reason this restaurant didn't score lower. We will not be returning here.

SATURDAY

Sanaa

6 out of 5
Yes, you read right. Sanaa scored a 6 out of 5. This is just to make the point that this is, by far, my favorite Disney restaurant. The food is excellent and truly unique. A blend of African and Indian. I guess it is an acquired taste, but Ryan and I love it. Plus, this time we had mango lassis where were amazing! Great atmosphere, I mean where else can you dine and look out the window at giraffes and zebra? Plus excellent food and great service. How could it get any better? Yum!

Kouzzina

5 out of 5
This restaurant was a bit of a surprise for me. It wasn't my first choice, but Ryan was really excited about going, so we did. The dilemma I had was that none of the food sounded good to me, basically because everything had tomatoes in it, but what I ended up ordering was beyond excellent! They had the best bread and olive oil followed up by the best "lasagna" I have ever had. If you ever visit, make sure you order the lasagna. You won't be disappointed!

SUNDAY

Food and Wine Festival

5 out of 5
Yum!

California Grill

3 out of 5
Surprisingly, I didn't enjoy this restaurant as much as I did on our last vacation. The rock shrimp salad was still amazing. But, my steak was not so good. I hate a sauced steak, so I guess it was my fault for ordering it, but yuck. Then, the key lime cheesecake for dessert, it was awful. Inedible for me, although Ryan thought it was okay. All in all, I really don't want to go back here.

MONDAY

Food and Wine Festival

5 out of 5
Yum, again!

Tower of Terror 10 Miler 2012

So Ryan and I just signed up to run a 10 mile race on our Disney vacation. I don't know what I am thinking. Nothing about running says vacation to me. I guess it is really important to Ryan, so that is why I signed up. He keeps telling me I have plenty of time to train which, although true, I really have no motivation for. I like my 5ks and that's about it. This is more than three of those combined. I guess I am just praying I don't get picked up by the sag wagon. Here's to finishing the Tower of Terror 10-Miler. What did I get myself into?!

Check out our new Rychar Runners page for info on all of our running adventures past, present and future.