Tag Archives: Disney World

Feb 10 2016

You’ve Got To Hear This New CD – Kingdom Classics By Peter Alden

Kingdom Classics

Anyone else watch Grease Live a couple of weeks ago? Well, when I heard that it was coming on, I immediately set my DVR. Something about that show, especially the music, I just absolutely love! So when I was asked if I would be interested in reviewing a new CD that combines not only favorite Disney tunes, but classic 1950’s – 1960’s style music like Grease, I of course, jumped at the chance.

Peter Alden As ElvisA few days later my package arrived in the mail. I eagerly opened it to find just what I’d been waiting for – Kingdom Classics by Peter Alden. If you’re not familiar with Peter’s work, he is a talented singer that has showcased classic golden age music across the country and around the world. Many nights, you can catch him performing as one of the most highly respected Elvis tribute artists in central Florida. If you’d like to see him in action during your next trip to Disney World, you can check out his current schedule of events by clicking here.

So what’s Peter’s connection with Disney? And why did he choose Disney songs for his CD? Well, not only did he grow up in Florida, he was a frequent visitor to Walt Disney World, and once he was old enough, he landed a job working at several park attractions including as a hilarious Jungle Cruise Skipper!

Peter says, “Lately I have found myself wondering what some of the Disney classic songs I loved as a child, as well as some of the new songs, might sound like in a more retro rock & roll sound.”

Well, how they sound is fabulous! I love the new twist that Peter has incorporated into each of the songs to make them uniquely his own. My favorite has to be his version of “The Bare Necessities”. In fact, I now have it set as my wake up song on my CD player alarm clock. And because of Peter’s terrific tune, I no longer want to chuck it out the window when it goes off!

Here’s the complete song list for you:

  • Pinocchio’s Boogie
  • The Bare Necessities
  • Kiss The Girl
  • Let’s Get Together
  • Cruella De Ville
  • I Just Can’t Wait To Be King
  • Rock Around The Mouse
  • A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes
  • Hakuna Matata
  • When You Wish Upon A Star

And a sample:

To purchase the full digital version of Kingdom Classics for just $10, please click here. If you’d rather have the CD for only $15 plus $5 for shipping, you can purchase a copy by clicking here. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

A special thank you to Krista Joy of DisneyWays.com, and of course, Peter Alden of Peter Alden Entertainment for allowing me the opportunity to review Kingdom Classics! To keep up with Peter, you can find and follow him across social media on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram!

Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post, however I did receive a free copy of Kingdom Classics for my review. All opinions are my own and not influenced in any way.

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Will you be checking out Kingdom Classics?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!

Feb 9 2016

Same Day Dining Reservations At Jungle Skipper Canteen In Magic Kingdom

Skipper Canteen 17

Exciting news, hungry Jungle Cruise fans! For a limited time, same day dining reservations will be accepted at the new Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen in Magic Kingdom. From February 12 through February 27, guests will be able to make lunch or dinner reservations the very same day. All you will need to do is visit JungleSkipperCanteen.com or call 407-993-1933. This is a great opportunity to check out the newest restaurant in Magic Kingdom without having to plan six months in advance!

If you aren’t familiar with the place, this brand new table service restaurant located in Adventureland features tropical décor, exotic cuisine, and is hosted by your favorite Jungle Cruise skippers.

There are three dining rooms in this 222 seat restaurant:

  • The crew’s colonial-era Mess Hall
  • The Jungle Room – former family parlor of Dr. Albert Falls himself
  • S.E.A. Room—a once-secret meeting place for the Society of Explorers and Adventurers

The menu is an adventurous one:

  • Skipper Canteen 16Dr. Falls’ Signature Grilled Steak, a strip loin marinated in sofrito and served with yuca planks, avocado and house-made chimichurri
  • Rice Noodle Bowl with an Asian pho broth with choice of chicken, duck breast or tofu served with jalapeños and mix of fresh herbs
  • Trader Sam’s Head-on Shrimp, with sustainable, local, farm-raised shrimp tossed in a chili-garlic sauce and served with Chinese broccoli and choice of five-grain or white rice
  • Coconut Bar with Pineapple-Basil Compote and Vanilla Cream – a vanilla chiffon cake with coconut and lime topped with white chocolate ganache
  • Kungaloosh! – African-inspired chocolate cake is served with caramelized bananas and cashew-caramel ice cream topped with coffee dust

Skipper Canteen 11And for the little skippers in your party:

  • Junior Skip’s Special Mac and Cheese is inspired by an Egyptian dish with ground beef, pasta, Béchamel Sauce and house-made cheese gratin, served with broccoli
  • Amazon Annie’s House-made Arepas with slow-cooked beef, black beans and queso fresco served with yuca planks
  • Sizzling Savanna Grilled Flank Steak with steamed broccoli and fingerling potatoes
  • Smiley’s Little Croc of Chicken Noodle Soup
  • Kids Volcano! – gooey chocolate cake with caramel lava and exploding chocolate rocks

Two non-alcoholic specialties will be served:

  • The Punch Line Punch – tropical fruit juice and mango puree (also available with a spiced rim for an extra zinger)
  • The Schweitzer Slush – frozen apple juice and passion fruit topped with bursting green apple boba balls

Skipper’s Canteen is open daily at 11:00am – closing time varies depending on park hours. Hope you enjoy it!

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Do you love the Jungle Cruise? Do you plan to try the Skipper Canteen?
Please leave a comment!

Feb 8 2016

Sweet Valentine’s Day Treats Around Disney World

Valentine's Day Treat 1

If you’ll be visiting Walt Disney World this week and are in the mood for a yummy treat to share with your Valentine, you’ll have plenty of delicious choices. There are always the classic candy apples, cookies, and rice crispy treats that will be festively decorated for the holiday, but if you are looking for something a little different check out these options.

In Magic Kingdom, stop by Sleepy Hollow in Liberty Square for a Black Forest Waffle with vanilla ice cream or pop into the Main Street Bakery for a chocolate raspberry cupcake.

In Disney’s Hollywood Studios you’ll find an adorable Lady & The Tramp cupcake or head over to Fountain View in Epcot for a chocolate cupcake filled with a strawberry-marshmallow center, topped with strawberry buttercream and a chocolate ganache drizzle.

Finally, if you are looking for something even more decadent to share or that you can give as a gift, stop into The Ganachery at Disney Springs where you’ll find elegantly decorated ganache squares and pops plus Star Wars inspired milk and dark chocolate bars. I tried this place for the first time a couple of weeks ago, and it was absolutely incredible!

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Will you be trying a sweet Valentine’s Day treat in Disney World?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!

Feb 7 2016

Disney World Enthusiast Weekly Round Up February 7, 2016

Here’s the Disney World Enthusiast Weekly Round Up for February 7, 2016!

Latest Disney World Enthusiast Articles

Spaceship EarthTip Of The Week

When starting your day at Epcot, don’t make a beeline for Spaceship Earth. Many guests enter the park and just get in the first line they see. As a result, the wait for Spaceship Earth can be very long in the morning. Make a Fastpass+ reservation for later in the day or hop in line on your way out of the park in the evening instead.

Looking for more tips like this? Click here!

Tower of TerrorDisney Did You Know

Walt Disney Imagineers viewed 156 episodes of “The Twilight Zone” for inspiration when creating The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

Walt DisneyWalt’s Words

“Fantasy, if it’s really convincing, can’t become dated, for the simple reason that it represents a flight into a dimension that lies beyond the reach of time.” 

Plaid Skins CollageDisney World Enthusiast Giveaway

From now through Friday, February 19, 2016 at midnight, please enter daily to win a set of four Plaid MagicBand Skins. Just click here and follow the instructions to be entered into the giveaway. Be sure to take advantage of the bonus entries, and please tell your friends and family to enter as well!

Behind The Magic Podcast

Be sure to catch up on this week’s episodes when Zeek, Rachel, and I discuss Disney news, rumors, and so much more. For more information about this week’s podcasts or to listen, please click here.

Featured Advertiser

BitbeltHave you heard of this incredible gadget – Bitbelt? If you aren’t familiar, this handy creation secures your MagicBand so that it doesn’t accidentally become lost. Anyone that carries a child, a backpack, or wears a jacket at Disney World knows how easily a MagicBand can become unclasped. That’s where this little beauty comes in! Simply place a Bitbelt on your MagicBand and save yourself the trouble of having to search for a lost band or take the time to get a replacement. Bitbelts come in a dozen different colors and in two sizes – adult and junior. They are only $4.99 each plus they offer discounted pricing when you purchase multiple Bitbelts in one order. And if you think Bitbelts are great for MagicBands, they are also available for your fitness trackers. Never lose a pricey Fitbit again! For more information about Bitbelt, please click here!

501 WaysFeatured Book

The difference between an average and an outstanding Walt Disney World trip is in the details. Kristi Fredericks helps make your dream vacation a reality with her numerous tips and tricks to save money, time, and sanity while at the happiest place on earth in her new book “501 Ways To Make The Most Of Your Walt Disney World Vacation”. For more information, to read an excerpt, or to purchase, please click here.

Considering A Disney World Vacation

Book Your Disney VacationJennifer Hardy, a Disney Vacation Planner with Destinations in Florida, is the official travel partner of Disney World Enthusiast. She can help you book your next Disney vacation whether it is to Disney World, Disneyland, or aboard the Disney Cruise Line. Currently Jennifer has some incredible deals for discounted travel to Disney World. For more information about Jennifer’s amazing and absolutely free services or to get a free no-obligation quote, please click here!

You’re Invited

Next Disney VacationJennifer Hardy, from Destinations in Florida, and I have teamed up to create a brand new Facebook Group called Next Disney Vacation! It is the perfect place to talk about your next Disney vacation, voice your opinions, ask your questions, get them answered, and share the magic. Whether it’s Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World, or the Disney Cruise Line, Jennifer and I are ready to help. Everyday you’ll find posts, photos, trivia, tips, and more that we find all throughout the Disney Universe. If you’re counting the days until your next Disney vacation or just dreaming of one, we would love to have you join in the fun and conversation! Please click here to be a part of our group!

dwe logo small size white bkgdComing Up Next Week

Next week I’ll have some more dining information plus all of the latest Disney World news!

Have a wonderful week!

Feb 6 2016

Behind The Magic Podcast Recap February 1 – February 5, 2016

BTM S4 Logo

Welcome to Season 4 of Behind The Magic Podcast!

This “snack credit” of podcasts is a unique 15-minute daily Disney podcast hosted by Zeek, Rachel, and myself. Every day Monday through Friday you can join us for entertaining Disney information, discussions, guests, games, and more. We’ll be surprising you each and every day with all of our funny stories and Disney insider knowledge. And of course, we’ll also keep you up-to-date on all of the latest Disney news and gossip.

Here’s a quick peek at what you can expect each day:

  • Monday ~ Mouse Whispers Mondays with all of the latest Disney gossip and rumors!
  • Tuesday ~ Topical Tuesdays with exciting Disney discussions!
  • Wednesday ~ With Us Wednesdays with celebrity guests from around the Disney Universe!
  • Thursday ~ Theme Park Thursdays with fun information, facts, and stories about the parks!
  • Friday ~ Fun Fridays with fantastic fun and games!

This Week’s Episodes

This week’s episodes include:

  • Monday ~ Mouse Whispers Monday Disney Quest
  • Tuesday ~ Happy Birthday
  • Wednesday ~ Behind Tad Stones Part 1
  • Thursday ~ Behind Morocco
  • Friday ~ Fun Friday

For more details about each episode and to listen, please click here!

We hope you enjoy our show!