T.G.I.F. Pic Of The Week – New Land Means New FOOD!

I recently wrote about the newest expansion opening this week at Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Pandora: The World Of Avatar – an immersive land that includes new rides and attractions, and it of course also includes new FOOD (which, if I’m being honest, is about 75% the reason I would even go anywhere ever – is for the food)

Check out what Pandora has to offer for your palette:

“Pods” – Steamed buns filled with either a cheeseburger mixture or vegetable curry, and served with root veggie chips and a veggie slaw. At breakfast time you can get them filled with eggs, bacon and spinach!

“Build Your Own” Bowls start with a base of quinoa, potato hash, rice, or kale salad, and then topped with a protein – beef, chicken, fish, or tofu, and the sauce of your choice – onion chimichurri, black bean vinaigrette, or herb dressing

This amazingly beautiful dessert is a blueberry cream cheese mousse topped with passionfruit curd

I am a big fan of boba – the little gelatin like balls found in bubble tea – so I will definitely want to try one of these new frozen drinks!

I can’t wait to see and do everything that Pandora has to offer – and I am especially looking forward to all the TASTES it will have to share, too!

TGIF!

T.G.I.F. Pic Of The Week: FINALLY Headed Back To WDW!

My husband and I have been talking for a while now about the best time to bring our son to experience the Magic of Walt Disney World for the first time – and I think we finally landed on Fall 2018 – he will just have turned 4, which is when I went for the first time. To say I am excited is an understatement – not only is a vacation must needed, it’s MUCH wanted too! It’s been a while since I have been to Disney – and while I have been keeping up on the goings-on and such, I know that there will be some BIG changes in store for me – and here are the two I am most excited about:

Star Wars Land – this is the largest ever single-themed land expansion to ever break ground at the Disney Parks, and the opening technically isn’t set to be until sometime in 2019, but I personally am keeping my fingers crossed for an early soft opening, or perhaps portions of it opening up before that so we can check it out while we are there! It will be a totally immersive experience, and you can even have the chance to step aboard the Millennium Falcon and pilot it – eek! How awesome!

Pandora – World of Avatar – This land is slated to open later this month at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and it celebrated the “Magic Of Nature” – with a journey through the rainforest, and much more!

I can’t wait to check these both out – and to experience everything else Disney has to offer – both new and classic!

TGIF!

T.G.I.F. Pic Of The Week – Spotlight On “Pandora: The World Of Avatar”

Fans of the popular 2009 flick Avatar will soon be able to transport themselves into the scenes from the movie – with the upcoming opening of Disney’s biggest Animal Kingdom expansion to date – “Pandora: The World Of Avatar”

As you walk onto the moon of Pandora, you will feel like you’ve truly been transported to another place! A place that features 12 acres of floating mountains, exotic and colorful plants and even a bio-luminescent rainforest!

The area will feature two new rides “Avatar Flight of Passage” and “Na’vi River Journey” (pictured above)

Much of what we have seen up until now is just concept art – but as you can see, the construction is in full swing, as they prep for official opening of the World Of Avatar on May 27th. I know I can’t wait to see the finished product – how about you?

TGIF!

T.G.I.F. Pic Of The Week – 2016 Disney Vacation Must-Do’s

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Hope you all had a great time ringing in the new year, and that you are looking forward to starting fresh today and having the best year yet!

If you’re planning on heading to Walt Disney World in 2016, then you will definitely want to add these to your list of “Disney Vacation Resolutions” – as they are ALL Must do’s:

   Epcot’s Norway is being expanded to include the new Frozen meet and greet attraction – where your little princesses will get the chance to hobnob with royalty – none other than Anna and Elsa!

Soarin’ is getting overhauled – a third theater and new ride experience that takes you “around the world” make this one a must-see

Toy Story Midway Mania will be getting a third track in 2016 – which will help cut down on the (sometimes REALLY LONG) waits, so if you haven’t checked this one out yet, 2016 will be a good time to give it a try

Any steak fans in your family? You’ll definitely want to check out the new STK steakhouse in Downtown Disney that’s opening in Spring of 2016

Animal Kingdom will be adding a “Rivers of Light” nighttime show, which will be just one of the many changes aimed at turning the park into an “after dark” destination

There are so many amazing changes coming to the Happiest Place On Earth in 2016 – and I don’ know about you, but I can’t wait to experience them all! Here’s hoping I can stick to my Resolutions this year….

TGIF – and HAPPY 2016!!!

T.G.I.F. Pic Of The Week – Hidden Mickeys Are Everywhere!

Disney World is known for their attention to detail (among other things!) – and they are so intricate in their theming and decorating that they even have Hidden Mickey’s throughout the Parks – it could be his silhouette, or the three circles of his head – but they are all over – if you know where to look…

 

This one is located at Animal Kingdom – outside the entrance to the Mombasa Marketplace Store in Africa

 

This one is part of a dalmation statue that sits just inside the entrance to Mama Melrose’s Restaurant in Hollywood Studios

 

The front courtyard of Hollywood Studios’ Rock N Roller Coaster is home to this Aerosmith mural – featuring a familiarly patterned shirt…

Inside the lobby of Disney’s beautiful Wilderness Lodge Resort you’ll spot this Mickey on the upper right corner of the fireplace

There’s a whole book to help you look for them! Have you spotted some Hidden Mickeys while at WDW? Or at home maybe? Which one is YOUR favorite?

TGIF!

T.G.I.F. Pic Of The Week – Hungry In Animal Kingdom? Feast On This!

I talk a lot about Disney Food – with good reason! They work hard to create culinary experiences that are unique and delicious – and they certainly have come a long way from the trips of my childhood, where it was burgers and chicken fingers and not much else

Oh, plus, one of the great things about being an adult at Walt Disney World is that you get to decide where you want to eat (instead of your parents calling the shots!) – and there’s a lot to choose from! No matter what kind of food you prefer, chances are good Disney has it!

I will admit – I wasn’t a huge Animal Kingdom fan when I was a kid – but I have recently grown to appreciate it a lot more, probably largely in part due to its amazing dining options!

 

Check out these mouth watering options next time you’re at Animal Kingdom:

Like these sandwiches at Flame Tree Barbeque – piled high with pulled pork or smoked turkey

Or this Mandarin Chicken Salad at Yak And Yeti – doesn’t that look super fresh?

And for someone sweet, head over to the Kusafiri Coffee Shop and Bakery to snag one of these amazing giant Brownie Paws

Head over to Pizzafari for – yep, you guessed it, pizza! As well as salads, yummy breadsticks and they serve beer and wine here too (yum!)

 

Oh – and these are just the counter service/snack options for those on the go – there are plenty more eats available at AK, including some great table service restaurants – check out all the options here

One thing’s for sure – you’ll never go hungry while touring Animal Kingdom!

TGIF!