In the Game of Thrones, Princesses Always Win

[ZehnJahren]

I saw the pink bands in action at the park; I don't like pink, but I actually liked it and would pick and wear it! I thought it was a great color!

I was less impressed with the blue, yellow, and red in person, but still loved the pink and green. Orange was just eh to me. I've seen some people on these boards taking fingernail polish and painting their bands and it looks really cool; maybe I'll consider doing that for next time!

I wanted to get to Art of Animation this trip, but I was just too busy. Maybe next time, when I actually have a car!

How exciting that the game is back on!

 

[khaleesi]

I saw the pink bands in action at the park; I don't like pink, but I actually liked it and would pick and wear it! I thought it was a great color!

I was less impressed with the blue, yellow, and red in person, but still loved the pink and green. Orange was just eh to me. I've seen some people on these boards taking fingernail polish and painting their bands and it looks really cool; maybe I'll consider doing that for next time!

I wanted to get to Art of Animation this trip, but I was just too busy. Maybe next time, when I actually have a car!

How exciting that the game is back on!

I'm very happy to hear that the pink looks good!!! I'm so excited! Getting to pick my color made it seem a little more real... like my trip might actually GET here. LOL.

I am THRILLED that the game is back on!!! Yippeeee!!!!!!

Glad you had a great trip!!

 

[khaleesi]

Day Three: Disney's Hollywood Studios​

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Ahem. MGM Studios ​

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Yep, it's Monday morning and I'm updating my PTR. That's because I'm on vacation! With nothing to do I have a follow-up doctor's appointment at 11am, which I'm moderately anxious about. I just don't like going to the doctor. It completely stresses me out.

Tomorrow I'm meeting friends for lunch and then having another friend over for dinner. I'm making lasagna soup and an obviously calorie-free chocolate and peanut butter trifle. If they're good, I'll share the recipes!

Wednesday's plans are up in the air.

Thursday I'm going to see Frozen!!! Hurray!!!! My whole family is 1600 miles away, so I tend to avoid the actual Thanksgiving day. I had invitations from some friends, but this works out better for me. I can just pretend it's a regular old Thursday.

Friday I'm going to the University of Buffalo football game that's being played at Ralph Wilson Stadium (where my Bills play)... it's the first college game being played there since 1979! Very excited!!!

Sadly, I don't have any new Disney purchases to show off. I did order my niece's Christmas present, which was some random Frozen stuff. And I ordered myself a copy of the book I Led the Parade, which is available here.. Shout out to emmysmommy for telling us about this book! It looks so cool. I love that people get to do amazing things and then take the time to write about them! It will be the first non-e book I've read in a while... I'll have to remember how to do that. Haha.

So let's take a trip to the Hollywood that never was. And always will be.

Done Previously, Doing Again

• Tower of Terror (hopefully multiple times!)
• One Man's Dream
• The Magic of Disney Animation (the show part; haven't done the animation class. Yet )
• The Great Movie Ride
• Star Tours (as many times as possible!)
• Muppet Vision 3D

Done Previously, Maybe Doing Again

• Beauty and the Beast, Live on Stage
• Voyage of the Little Mermaid
• Studio Backlot Tour
• Lights, Motors, Action
• The American Idol Experience
• Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular

Done Previously, Not Doing Again

• Rock 'n' Roller Coaster

Never Done, Doing This Trip

• Toy Story Mania (yes, I know!)
• AFI Showcase
• Animation Class
• Fantasmic

Never Done, Maybe Doing This Trip

• Disney Junior Live on Stage (my nephew loves Jake, so we'll see)

Never Done, Not Doing This Trip

• Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Playground

I will most likely need to force myself to NOT just ride Star Tours the entire day. I am incredibly excited for that!

Happy one-month-until

 

[LB1122]

Looks like a great week this week for you.

Frozen is on our list as well, plus a great long week off form work and school for DD.

Love your plans

 

[wiigirl]

Following along!

 

[teekathepony]

That's a really neat way of breaking down all the rides. No re-do of RnR?? Hahaha that's my favourite!

 

[khaleesi]

Looks like a great week this week for you.

Frozen is on our list as well, plus a great long week off form work and school for DD.

Love your plans

It's been fun so far! Can't wait to go see Frozen today!!!!

Following along!

Hi!!! Thanks for joining in!!!

That's a really neat way of breaking down all the rides. No re-do of RnR?? Hahaha that's my favourite!

Haha... I hate roller coasters! I only went on it the first time so I could say I went on it. The same holds true with Everest. I can do ones like Big Thunder, but anything more intense than that makes me feel yucky.

Speaking of which, I hope YOU are feeling better!!

 

[blessedmom4]

It has been a while since you PM'd me; however, I just saw your PTR and wanted to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope your MD appt. went well, and you are enjoying your time off.
Enjoy the movie today.


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[khaleesi]

Happy Thanksgiving​

...or if you're in a different country... happy Thursday!!!

I woke up yesterday morning to this (and no, it's NOT a black-and-white photo!):

I love winter (although I realize it's still fall) and cold temps and the snow. But I don't think I've EVER seen it look so beautiful outside. I had a bunch of running around to do yesterday and I was just smiling the entire time. In fact, I actually parked my car at a fast food place and walked down the sidewalk a little ways to snap this:

The entire area looked like a postcard. I just felt very peaceful yesterday, which was a welcome change from Monday. My doctor's appointment didn't go quite as well as I had hoped. I'm having some issues with my medication... which unfortunately is going to mean more needles. *shudder* But it WILL be okay. Sometimes I have to really force myself to believe that, but overall I know that I am incredibly blessed in so many ways... this is just one of those things that makes the good things all that much better.

As promised, here are some recipes for you! They were both amazing, and the soup is one of the best things I've ever made!!! I don't generally cook with Italian sausage, and when I was at the grocery store I very briefly considered using ground beef instead (since that's what I use in regular lasagna). I'm really, really glad I didn't!

Lasagna Soup
from the blog A Farmgirl's Dabbles

for the soup:
2 tsp olive oil
1.5 lbs. Italian sausage
3 C chopped onions
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp dried oregano (I actually used Italian seasoning, because I was out of oregano... oops!)
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
2 T tomato paste
1 28-oz. can fire roasted diced tomatoes
2 bay leaves
6 C chicken stock
8 oz. mafalda or fusilli pasta (I used campanelle.... really cute!)
1/2 C finely chopped fresh basil leaves
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste


for the cheesy yum:
8 oz. ricotta
1/2 C grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp salt
pinch of freshly ground pepper
optional: mozzarella cheese


Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add sausage, breaking up into bite sized pieces, and brown for about 5 minutes. Add onions and cook until softened, about 6 minutes. Add garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute. Add tomato paste and stir well to incorporate. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the tomato paste turns a rusty brown color.

Add diced tomatoes, bay leaves, and chicken stock. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Add uncooked pasta and cook until al dente. Do not over cook or let soup simmer for a long period of time at this point, as the pasta will get mushy and absorb all the soup broth. You may even want to consider cooking the noodles separately, and then adding some to individual bowls before ladling the soup over them. This would be an especially smart move if you are anticipating any leftovers. Right before serving, stir in the basil and season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

While the pasta is cooking, prepare the cheesy yum. In a small bowl, combine the ricotta, Parmesan, salt, and pepper.

To serve, place a dollop of the cheesy yum in each soup bowl, sprinkle some of the mozzarella on top and ladle the hot soup over the cheese.

Candy Shop Trifle
this was from a Facebook post, and I have a feeling it was copied from someone's blog without noting the source... there seems to be a lot of that going on and I know it's kind of controversial. A lot of the comments poked fun of the fact that it calls for low-fat pudding and low-fat cool whip. You'll understand when you see the rest of the ingredients!

1 box chocolate cake mix
2 boxes of low fat chocolate jello instant pudding
4 cups of milk (as per the pudding directions)
1/4 cup peanut butter (plus 2 tbsp for drizzling)
1 large container of low fat cool whip
1 bag of mini Reese peanut butter cups (chopped into pieces)
1 large bag of Reese's pieces

Bake the cake as per the directions on the box. Let cool completely.

Let cool whip thaw out until it's easier to spread.

Make the pudding as per the directions on the box, at the very end before you let it set stir in the 1/4 cup of peanut butter. Let set.

Crumble the cake into a trifle dish (or bowl), top with 1/2 of the pudding mixture, then add a layer of cool whip (1/2 the container), and then sprinkle 1/2 of the chopped Reese peanut butter cups and 1/2 the bag of Reese's pieces.

Do another layer exactly the same: cake, pudding, cool whip, candy.

Put the 2 tbsp of peanut butter into the microwave for about 45 seconds to melt, then drizzle over top of the trifle.

I cannot wait to see Frozen today!! Have a great day everyone!!

 

[khaleesi]

It has been a while since you PM'd me; however, I just saw your PTR and wanted to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope your MD appt. went well, and you are enjoying your time off.
Enjoy the movie today.


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You were posting while I was posting! Thank you so much!!! The appointment wasn't spectacular, but I'm dealing. I can't wait to come back and report on the movie! I didn't realize you had a report of your own going... adding it to my list!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!!!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Hi! Joining in! And still have some catching up to do but I'm so excited for you and your solo trip!

We must share at least a couple of Disney genes because ToT is my favorite ride by far in all of Disney. During my solo trip I rode it 4 times in a row. So much fun. I love Star Tours too.

Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving or should I say Happy "Frozen" Day! I'm going to take the kids on Saturday to see it. It's been getting rave reviews so I'm really looking forward to it. Hope you enjoy it too!

 

[emmysmommy]

Happy Thanksgiving khaleesi!

That gorgeous wintery photo outside really fits with the theme of the movie you'll see today! I love that, thanks for sharing.

I'm so glad that you ordered Dean's book. I'm sure you will enjoy the inspiring stories.


I have to say that lasagna soup sounds excellent. Especially on a cold (almost winter) day.

All caught up with your AK and HS plans.

It's ok that you haven't done Toy Story yet - sounds like me not getting to the safari until last trip. I can happen.

I love how you break down the rides/attractions into what you have done/not done and liked/not liked. Very well thought out.

 

[lovethattink]

I'm late for the party. I'm here!

Lucky number 7 is in the works, how exciting!!

Trip 1 - Very sweet memories.

• Walking to the hotel gift shop every night with my grandpa. I don't remember what he used to get, but every single I night I would buy a Goo Goo Cluster! At the time, these weren't available in my neck of the woods (Buffalo area) and I loved them!
  
• My grandma commented ALL THE TIME about the "beautiful flowers" at Magic Kingdom. At the time I was all, "whatever". Now, I'm the exact same way. I have more flower pictures on my camera than I have people pictures!
  
• A restaurant that I believe was called Duffs. I could be wrong on the name, but it sounds right to me. It was a huge buffet and I remember loving it. And getting sick from it. And yet, I still loved it!
  
• The rides I distinctly remember at MK were the Haunted Mansion and a ride that isn't there anymore. It was sponsored by an airline and that's about all I remember about it, except that I absolutely loved it!

I vaguely remember Goo Goo Clusters. The Flowers are incredible at Disney. Their gardeners are so busy and meticulous. I remember that ride. That's where Buzz Lightyear is now!!! It was my favorite! I think it was called Dreamflight? At least that's what sticks in my head.

Back to cooking. I'll be back later. Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[khaleesi]

Hi! Joining in! And still have some catching up to do but I'm so excited for you and your solo trip!

We must share at least a couple of Disney genes because ToT is my favorite ride by far in all of Disney. During my solo trip I rode it 4 times in a row. So much fun. I love Star Tours too.

Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving or should I say Happy "Frozen" Day! I'm going to take the kids on Saturday to see it. It's been getting rave reviews so I'm really looking forward to it. Hope you enjoy it too!

Thanks for joining in!! I'm very excited for my trip, and I think this has been the longest four months of my life. I doubt the next three will go any faster! I don't like wishing my life away, but I really can't wait to go!!!

I am a HUGE Star Wars fan, so the combination of Disney and SW is like peanut butter and jelly. Macaroni and cheese. Rama lama lama ka dinga da dinga dong

Frozen was AMAZING. Sooo glad I went!! Hopefully you and your kiddoes will love it as much as I did!

Happy Thanksgiving khaleesi!

That gorgeous wintery photo outside really fits with the theme of the movie you'll see today! I love that, thanks for sharing.

I'm so glad that you ordered Dean's book. I'm sure you will enjoy the inspiring stories.


I have to say that lasagna soup sounds excellent. Especially on a cold (almost winter) day.

All caught up with your AK and HS plans.

It's ok that you haven't done Toy Story yet - sounds like me not getting to the safari until last trip. I can happen.

I love how you break down the rides/attractions into what you have done/not done and liked/not liked. Very well thought out.

Thank you!!!!!

I didn't even think about how the picture went with the theme of the movie! I'm not usually that coordinated! Haha.

I'm really excited to read the book and so glad you mentioned it, because I would never have stumbled upon it otherwise.

I know the trifle probably isn't your thing, but the soup was sooo delicious! I wish I made more, because I could go for some leftovers!

I'm late for the party. I'm here!

Lucky number 7 is in the works, how exciting!!

Trip 1 - Very sweet memories.

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I vaguely remember Goo Goo Clusters. The Flowers are incredible at Disney. Their gardeners are so busy and meticulous. I remember that ride. That's where Buzz Lightyear is now!!! It was my favorite! I think it was called Dreamflight? At least that's what sticks in my head.

Back to cooking. I'll be back later. Happy Thanksgiving!

Welcome!! I love that I still have the memories that I DO have, and really wish I had documented more of it. We don't even have a whole lot of pictures and that makes me so sad. I remember my grandpa had one of those Kodak Disk cameras, so I definitely know the pictures were taken... I just have no idea what happened to them That's why I'm so glad we can all document this stuff here, and on Facebook, and wherever else we choose to share our lives.

You might be right about it being called "Dreamflight". If not that, then something similar I think... I actually think it had one name and then was changed to something else? Oh, I don't remember! I just remember LOVING it.

---

I'll be talking about Frozen more in my next post!! Soooo good!!!!

 

[khaleesi]

Disney's Hollywood Studios Food Options​

Hellooooo!!! Happy last day of November!!! Hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving.... or at least a happy Thursday As I mentioned, I went to see Frozen (which I plan on doing a separate post about; probably next weekend after more people have a chance to go see it) and had what wound up being a delicious turkey dinner courtesy of Wegmans. I also snagged a red velvet cupcake the day before at Panera. It wasn't pumpkin pie, but it was REALLY yummy!!!

I've been posting something I'm thankful for on Facebook every day this month, and I was very happy with my post today:

11/30... thankful that it was so easy to think of something I was thankful for each day!​

Stupid health issues aside (and the whole missing my family thing), I know I am so very blessed. One of the things I was able to do with the "thankful" posts on a couple of the days was turn a negative thing into a positive thing, which is NOT always my strong suit! Ha. So it was a good exercise in being grateful in the midst of... oh, shall we say... annoyance.

I FROZE at the football game yesterday. Probably the coldest I've ever been EVER. And it takes a lot for me to get cold like that! It was fun though, even though we lost. Sitting in the sixth row was pretty sweet. Not something I'd be able to do at an NFL game (unless I managed to win tickets or something!)

I just whipped up some cookie dough because a friend is having a fundraiser... so I said I'd bake. So while the dough is chilling (the main reason I don't make my favorite cookie very often!), I figured it would be a good time to talk FOOD.

I've spent almost as much time in DHS as I have in the Magic Kingdom. And yet again, I'm not fully sure of all the places I've eaten. Something I found curious as I'm looking through a Birnbaum Guidebook from 1997, the restaurants are broken down into three categories:

• Full Service
• Cafeteria Service
• Fast Food and Snacks

The most interesting thing as I'm glancing through it, is that Le Cellier at the time was in the "cafeteria service" category! When I get some time later in the day, I'm going to have to read through the rest of the book! I just grabbed it to try to jar my memory.

Anyway.

Nanny Trip:
The only thing I know for certain is that I went to Soundstage for a character lunch. I had this solo thing down pat even back then, because I went alone. The people I worked for bought me a ticket for whatever park I wanted to explore alone and I picked MGM, because I was NOT leaving Florida without riding Star Tours! (I loved that job. I'm Facebook friends with all three kids and try to pretend that they're nowhere near as old as they are!) I have some pretty heinous character pictures of myself from this lunch

Family Trip:
My sister, her hubby, and my sweetie pie niece humored me by going to Sci-Fi. I know for certain it wouldn't have been their first choice, but there's a reason my sister is my favorite person in the world! I remember having a steak and bleu cheese lettuce wedge salad and something with caramel corn for dessert. LOVED this restaurant! It's the only one I remember going to. I know for sure we had dinner back at the house.

Solo Trip:
I ventured into 50's Primetime Café and had a chicken pot pie. I remember feeling really awkward in here by myself. I think I would have loved it if I had been with a group. Food was good, though!

Upcoming Trip
I will probably have breakfast at the resort. My afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian is scheduled for this day!! I will count that as "lunch", so I'll probably wind up having a cupcake at Starring Rolls at some point. Dinner at this point will be whichever location is closest to where I'm at when I decide I'm hungry for dinner. How's that for pinpoint accuracy?

So after all is said and done, I will have used:
1 or 2 more QS meals, leaving 2 or 3 (depends on what I get for breakfast at the resort... if it's cheap, I'll prob pay OOP and save a credit)
1 snack credit, leaving 1 or 2 (depending on what I used on DAK Day)

I'm heading back to work on Monday! I actually love my job and the people I work with, so I'm not nearly as broken up as most people when their vacations are coming to an end!

Have a great week, everyone!!!

 

[teekathepony]

I love the idea of being publicly thankful for something each day. Great idea, and great way to end it too!
I really enjoyed 50s, but have only done it in large groups, I can definitely see it getting awkward alone.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[lovethattink]

I remember the Sound Stage! That was a character restaurant where Play House Disney is now. I remember Genie, Jasmine, the Hunchback and Esmeralda there!

 

[khaleesi]

I love the idea of being publicly thankful for something each day. Great idea, and great way to end it too!
I really enjoyed 50s, but have only done it in large groups, I can definitely see it getting awkward alone.

I used to see more people doing it throughout the month... not as many people participated this year. It was always fun reading what people came up with!

I remember the Sound Stage! That was a character restaurant where Play House Disney is now. I remember Genie, Jasmine, the Hunchback and Esmeralda there!

I have pics with Aladdin, Genie, Meeko, and Quasimodo. I will not be sharing them I look like an Oompa Loompa in them. I have the most ridiculous perm and a Winnie the Pooh tshirt at least two sizes too big for me. I'm pretty sure Esmeralda was there that day, but I don't seem to have a pic with her. She probably avoided my table on purpose!!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Out of all the parks, DHS continues to be a blackhole for me when it comes to dining. I have yet to have find a QS or a TS that I'm in love with at this park so whenever I'm staring at our ADR list for our trips our DHS day is littered with ??? marks or empty slots labeled as TBD. Which basically means like you said: whatever is closest at the time we get hungry.

What I really would like to see is a ToT themed restaurant whether is TS or QS.

 

[lovethattink]

I have pics with Aladdin, Genie, Meeko, and Quasimodo. I will not be sharing them I look like an Oompa Loompa in them. I have the most ridiculous perm and a Winnie the Pooh tshirt at least two sizes too big for me. I'm pretty sure Esmeralda was there that day, but I don't seem to have a pic with her. She probably avoided my table on purpose!!

That's ok, I look like a poodle with my perm in the pictures. And like you, my Minnie sweatshirt goes down to my knees. Hey, it was the style! And I was either wearing black bicycle shorts or black super tight leggings with stirrups to fit in my sneakers. We didn't live in Florida, we lived up north. One of the trips we took my mom with us.

Out of all the parks, DHS continues to be a blackhole for me when it comes to dining. I have yet to have find a QS or a TS that I'm in love with at this park so whenever I'm staring at our ADR list for our trips our DHS day is littered with ??? marks or empty slots labeled as TBD. Which basically means like you said: whatever is closest at the time we get hungry.

What I really would like to see is a ToT themed restaurant whether is TS or QS.

I agree, I do not care for dining at DHS.

khaleesi, here's a thought about 50's PTC. Have you considered eating at the Lounge attatched to 50'sPTC? I have stopped there solo when my guys were doing other things at DHS to get a PB&J milkshake. The person right beside me ordered a full meal. Others followed suit. The bartender said people do that all the time.