Fabulous Find Friday – Vintage Magic Kingdom Tile Coasters
Photo Credit: EH
The following fabulous item was given to me as a birthday gift from my nephew Jacob. If you don’t know who Jacob is, here is his first blog post. I was given a set of six Italian marble coasters with the 1977 Great American Film Guide Map of the Magic Kingdom. These coasters and other designs can be found at Breakeble Designs . I must admit I have not used them and do not plan to. They will be for display purposes only because they are just too cute to use.
Photo Credit: Breakable Designs
Disney Behind the Scenes – Angela Bassett
Photo Credit: stylemagazine.com
Angela Bassett is an American actress. Her only Disney role at this time is voicing Mildred in the Disney film Meet the Robinsons. Ms. Bassett has become well known for her biographical film roles portraying real life women in African American culture, including Tina Turner in What’s Love Got to Do with It, Betty Shabazz in Malcolm X, Katherine Jackson in The Jacksons: An American Dream,and Voletta Wallace in Notorious.
Mean Muggin’ Monday
Today’s coffee mug features Maleficent. I must say she is becoming my one of my favorite villains. I purchased it at the Disney Store and it retails for $10.50.
Photo Credit: EH
If you would like your coffee mug to appear on Mean Muggin’ Monday, please send a picture and description to DizThruBrownEyes@yahoo.com .
The Disney Food Blog (DFB) Guide to Walt Disney World Dining
As a frequent traveler to Walt Disney World, I must say that I still do not know all of the dining options offered. When The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining was released last year, I downloaded it immediately. This e-Book has over 300 pages of tips and guidance to assist you in planning your meals and money-saving advice. Dinning at Walt Disney World is an experience in itself that is as exciting as seeing Mickey Mouse for the first time. I do like the fact it is an e-book because it can be downloaded immediately, it can be read from your Smartphone or iPad, and easier to carry around than a bulky book. Searches can be done quickly by clicking on links and using the “find” function.
If you order today, you will get the following FREE bonuses:
Downloadable worksheets
Seven sample one-day dining itineraries
A comprehensive index of bars and lounges
Four brand new, food-themed scavenger hunts
Disney Dining Trivia to play while waiting in line for an attraction or a table for that matter
Click here to view more details about The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining.
With the Fall approaching, that means Epcot Food & Wine Festival time!!! The DFB Mini-Guide to the 2012 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival e-Book is available in a downloadable PDF. Once you purchase, you will receive a link immediately to download a PDF file with over 160 pages of information about the Festival. This mini guide has a click-able Table of Contents and links to web resources. The benefits of having this guide on hand are you get to chose in advance what you would like to eat and drink in advance which will save time and money. The guide also includes times, locations, and price details for every single event, seminar, and concert for the Festival.
If you order today, you will get the following FREE bonuses:
Full, comprehensive daily schedule of events
Index of everything new at the Festival in 2012
Eleven World Showcase Booth Crawls
Food & Wine Festival Customized Touring Strategies
Eat to the Beat Mp3 Playlist
Food, Wine, Beverage, Winery, and Beer Indexes with dates and locations
Chef Index and Chef Spotlight Bios
Click here to view more details The DFB Mini-Guide to the 2012 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival e-Book.
Other Guides and bundles are below:
Click here to view more details for the Bundle package of The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining and The DFB Mini-Guide to the 2012 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival e-Book.
Click here to view more details for the DFB Snack Bundle.
Click here to view more details for the DFB Epcot Bundle.
Click here to view more details for the DFB Dining Adventure.
The author of the above guides is AJ Wolfe. She writes The Disney Food Blog and has been writing about the food at Walt Disney World for years. Her blog has been recommended by Redbook Magazine, MSN.com, the OC Registar, the Orlando Sentinel, and others.
Late Summer Vacation Offers at Destinations in Florida
Photo Credit: EH
As being an affiliate partner with Destinations in Florida (@WDWFan), I wanted to pass along some of the latest travel offers that are available.
For Walt Disney World the following offers are now available:
Late Summer Florida Resident Rate- Disney has released a Late Summer Florida Resident discount that includes Dining! The guest must travel from August 17- September 28th and no minimum stay is required. All packages include 4-day Florida Resident (this cannot be changed) However, the passes do not expire for 6 months and blackout dates apply.
Free Dining – Travel on the following dates 9/30-10/4, 10/19-11/1, 11/23-11/29, and 12/10-12/13 (3-night minimum stay) and get a Free Disney Dining Plan! Value Resort Rooms get a Free Quick Service Dining Plan and all other resorts get a Free Basic Dining Plan. The guest can always upgrade the dining plan just by paying the difference. This promotion is booking fast. The Moderate Resorts are already sold out on most dates but are still available in December. Book now for best availability! This promotion must be booked by September 30th.
For Disney Cruise Line the following offers are now available:
This fall, Disney Cruise Line is offering 7-night California Coast cruises with a taste of Pixar! The total cost of an standard inside stateroom aboard the September 16th or September 23rd sailing is just $1,703 for two guest total. This is less than $900 per person for an all-inclusive, week-long trip!
Special Verandah Offer On Galveston Sailings – Book a verandah stateroom (categories 5A-7A) for the price of an ocean view stateroom (categories 9A-9D) on most 7-night Western Caribbean sailings from Galveston, Texas Sept 22-December 21, 2012. (Offer excludes November 17th sailing).
Military Discount – Special military rates available for cruises through September 2012. Rates vary by cruise.
Canada Resident Rates – Canadian residents can receive a 15% discount off prevailing rates as quote on most California Coastal sailings commencing Sept. 16- Oct. 7, 2012. Offer applies to Categories 4A-11A staterooms.
For Aulani – Hawaii
Guest can get two nights FREE from September 10, 2012 to December 18, 2012 book a minimum of three nights at Aulani and your next two nights are FREE! The guest must book a minimum total of 5 nights and available most nights. Book now through November 10th.
To find out about these offers and other destinations such as Universal Studios or The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, click here to request a quote. Do not forget to tell them Diz Thru Brown Eyes sent you!!
Snapshot Saturday
Photo Credit: EH
Fabulous Find Friday – Disney Studios Collector Cards
Photo Credit: EH
Today’s fabulous find is Disney Studios Collector Cards . I first learned of these cards by scrolling on the D23 official website. The cards were described as “an oversized 3″ x 4.5″ and branded with a gold-foil Disney Studios stamp, and each pack of eight cards includes a limited-edition, individually numbered mini-lithograph, a sericel-inspired translucent card. Walt Disney Archives Director Becky Cline shared fascinating facts pulled directly from the Archives for the “Behind the Scenes with Becky Cline” cards found in each pack.”
A D23 exclusive set was offered to members that were limited to 1000. At this time those have sold out. The series one cards are limited to 2,000 and currently available exclusively to D23 Members through August 31, 2012. On September 1, 2012 any remaining series one cards will become available to the general public.
Photo Credit: EH
Photo Credit: EH
Photo Credit:EH
Tasty Thursday: ‘Ohana Green Beans
Happy Thursday! Today, I have a quick side dish for you from ‘Ohana Restaurant at the Polynesian Restaurant. We learned that ‘Ohana means family from the movie Lilo and Stitch. I have eaten at ‘Ohana once for dinner with my family, and I loved it. I look forward to going back again!
Now is a great time to pick up some fresh green beans from your local farmer’s market or grocery store. Nothing beats fresh veggies! And come on, everything is better with bacon! The sweetness of the stir fried onions pairs well with the saltiness of the bacon. Serve this with grilled chicken or shrimp for a Hawaiian feast at home.
‘Ohana Green Beans
Adapted from Allears
Yields: 3 servings
Ingredients:
1 lb. fresh green beans
1/2 medium red onion, 1/2 inch thick
1 clove garlic, minced
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1 Tbsp. low sodium soy sauce
1 Tbsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
Fresh ground black pepper to taste
1/2 lb. bacon, crispy & crumbled
Directions:
1. Wash green beans in cold water; snip both ends and break in half.
2. In a medium saucepan, bring lightly salted water to a boil. Add green beans and blanch for 1 minute; strain.
3. Heat a wok or fry pan over medium-high heat. Add oil, then stir fry garlic and onions for 2 minutes. Add green beans and continue to stir fry for 2-4 minutes (depending on how well cooked you prefer your green beans). Add soy sauce, sugar, salt, and pepper and continue to stir fry for 1 more minute.
4. Garnish with bacon.
Disney Behind the Scenes – Whitney Houston
Photo Credit: bellenews.com
Ms. Houston was an American singer, model, actress, and producer. She co-starred in the adaptation of Cinderella as the Fairy Godmother with Brandy Norwood and Whoppi Goldberg. Ms. Houston was the producer of The Princess Diaries and the sequel The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement.
Mean Muggin’ Monday
Today’s guest coffee mug is from JoVonn ( @jhgive ) who also writes the Tasty Thursday feature here and is the mother of Baby Jacob of Jacob’s Crib. JoVonn stated “this mug was a gift from Walt Disney World several years ago. Eeyore is my favorite Disney character”.
Photo Credit: EH
If you would like your coffee mug featured on Mean Muggin’ Monday, email picture and description of mug to DizThruBrownEyes@yahoo.com.
Snapshot Saturday
Photo Credit: EH
Disney Behind The Scenes – Daivd Alan Grier
Photo Credit: celebritiesheight.com
David Alan Grier is an American comedian and actor. Mr. Grier was a popular cast member of the television show In Living Color. He played the role of Uncle Henry in Disney’s The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz.
Mean Muggin’ Monday
Today’s mug is being brought to you by that famous duck…Donald Duck. I guess you can say he invented the mean mug. Since Donald was given the spotlight this Monday, a COFFEE mug will be featured next Monday.
Photo credit: EH
If you would like your coffee mug featured on Mean Muggin’ Monday, email picture and brief description to DizThruBrownEyes@yahoo.com.
Disney Villains Designer Collection Release Information
Photo Credit: CandorNews.com
On the heels of the success of the Disney Princess Designer Collection, the Disney Stores are introducing the Disney Villains Designer Collection to begin Monday, September 10, 2012 and ending on October 15, 2012.
The release schedule is as follows:
Maleficent – September 10th
Evil Queen – September 17th
Queen of Hearts – September 24th
Ursula – October 1st
Mother Gothel – October 8th
Cruella de Vil – October 15th
When a doll is released on Monday, it will be available on DisneyStore.com on Tuesday. For example, Maleficent will be in stores on September 10th and then available for purchase on online on September 11th. There will be a limited number of the complete 6 doll sets available for pre-order at DisneyStore.com on August 20, 2012 at 12:01am PT. The complete set will be shipped together before or after the last doll is released on October 15th.
Now some of us know firsthand or heard about the madness the Disney Princess Collection releases created, including people waiting in lines at the stores for hours and the website crashing due to the overwhelming amount of people attempting to order the dolls. The Disney Store has created new procedures for purchasing a doll on the release date as well a list of the participating stores. You can find the document here .
My goal is to be at my store located at the Mall of Georgia to report on the first release day as well as the additional merchandise that will be released. Hopefully Kelsey ( @kelskc ) will join me on this adventure. We usually do these Disney Store releases together. Check out Kelsey’s blog, n3rdgrl.com , to read about previous events we have attended.
The following is a list of merchandise that will be available beginning September 10th I am figuring:
Disney Villains Designer Collection Fashion Top
Disney Villains Designer Collection Mugs
Disney Villains Designer Collection Villains Varnish (nail polish)
Disney Villains Designer Collection Note Card Set
Disney Villains Designer Collection Lip Gloss
Tasty Thursday – Buttery Chocolate Shortbread
It’s a Small World in the Magic Kingdom is one of my favorite rides. I’m not sure why because it is not as thrilling as the Tower of Terror, not as sensory pleasing as Soarin’, and not as interactive as Toy Story Mania. It’s just something about it that I can’t explain (it’s also I good ride to rest on).
Your lovely host here at Diz Thru Brown Eyes bought me the cookbook FEED Our Small World because she knows how much I enjoy the ride but also because I enjoy cookbooks (obviously). By purchasing this book, a donation was made to the FEED Foundation to provide Vitamin A supplements for 450,000 children for one year.
How great is that? Recipes for a good cause!
It is actually a cookbook for kids so it would make a great gift for the little ones in your life. There are recipes from all over the world plus fun facts.
I thought this recipe was a great one to share because it represents England and who isn’t watching the Olympics right now??
You can make an almond variation or a chocolate one. I chose chocolate since your host loves chocolate. You can also add almonds to the top of the cookies. The dough was not coming together at all so I could have left in the refrigerator longer. Since I was pressed for time, I just worked it with my hands. Then I pressed it out and used a biscuit cutter to shape the cookies. I only made a small portion and will bake the rest in the next day or so.
The cookies were buttery and not too sweet. They would definitely go great with some tea.
Buttery Chocolate Shortbread
Adapted from FEED Our Small World: A Cookbook for Kids
Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup Confectioners’ sugar
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 tsp. Kosher salt
2 cups all-purpose flour
Directions:
1. In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together the butter, sugar, cocoa powder, and salt. Add the flour, mixing until just incorporated.
2. Divide the dough into three equal pieces and roll them into logs. Wrap them in wax paper and chill them in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
3. Preheat the oven to 325. Remove the dough from the refrigerator one log at a time. Slide the cookies 1/4″ thick or press/roll the dough out and cut using a biscuit or round cookie cutter. Place them on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 6-10 minutes, or until the cookies are firm. Repeat with remaining cookie dough.
Disney Behind the Scenes – Dennis Haysbert
Photo Credit: cbs.com
Dennis Haysbert is an African-American film and television actor. Mr. Haysbert is known from portraying baseball player Pedro Cerrano in the Major League film trilogy and President David Palmer on the television series 24. He is recognized today for his work in the Allstate Insurance commercials. Mr. Haysbert ties to Disney will be seen in the upcoming Disney Film Wreck-It Ralph set to be released in the Fall of 2012. He will voice the character General Hologram.
Mean Muggin’ Monday
Today’s guest coffee mug is from Charles A. (@Yensid1970 ) . He stated “Its my favorite mug from one of my favorite memories of my first visit to Disneyland during the 50th!”
Photo Credit: CA
If you would like your coffee mug featured on Mean Muggin’ Monday, please email a picture and description of your coffee mug to DizThruBrownEyes@yahoo.com.
Snapshot Saturday
Welcome to the first Snapshot Saturday where your can have your favorite Disney picture featured. The following picture was taken during the first D23 Magic & Merriment event in 2009. It is the floor of the entrance to Cinderella’s Suite in Cinderella’s Castle. As soon as I stepped off the elevator this is what I saw:
Photo Credit: EH
If you would like one of your favorite Disney pictures featured, please send picture and brief description to DizThruBrownEyes@yahoo.com.
Fabulous Find Friday – Dammit Dolls
Photo Credit: EH
Today’s fabulous find was brought to my attention on Facebook . I had never heard of a Dammit Doll and thought they were funny looking. In doing my research I found this doll could be very useful especially when mad instead of hitting or punching others. I keep mine in my home office on my desk. I probably have used it about five times to express my frustrations. My sister keeps hers at her job and has lent it to her supervisor after meetings. I have given a Dammit doll as a gift and was informed the doll was put right to use after it was received. I purchased my Dammit Doll at a Swoozie’s location for $14.95. Follow them on Twitter at @DammitDolls.
Live Comments