Doc McStuffins All Better Game is a really adorable game starring all of your favorite characters from the extremely popular Doc McStuffins show on Disney Junior.
Make the boo boos go away like Doc McStuffins! Each slap bracelet bandage is a different mystery ouchie. Take turns trying to figure out which doctor tool will make things all better! It’s a fun game of pretending and playful problem-solving!
Doc McStuffins All Better Game at a Glance
Players:
2 or more players ages 3 and up
Promotes:
Matching
Memory skills
Turn-taking and playing together
Product Contents
1 Storage Bag
6 Slap Bracelet Bandages
6 Foam Tools
8 Scoring Tiles
1 Spinner
1 Game Rules Manual
Zoe is a HUGE Doc McStuffins fan, so we had a ton of fun playing this game!!! She really loved the slap bracelets and feeling like she was really helping her friends!
What I really love about this game is that all of the game pieces fit neatly into Doc McStuffins’ bag making for clean up that even the youngest players will find easy!
We really had fun playing the Doc McStuffins All Better Game, and if you are a fan of the show you will, too!!!
Disclosure:Through a partnership with Wonder Forge Games, I have received a promotional item in exchange for this post. All opinions and thoughts are my own!
When the Disney It’s a Small World collaboration ended with its final collection this Fall, I was beyond sad because I adored the line! However LeSportsac hasonce again teamed up with Disney again to take a look back at Minnie Mouse through the decades with the Celebrate Minnie print.
Minnie has been reinventing her look for close to 90 years, and now you can witness her transformation (and ever so glamorous wardrobe) through the years in one fun print! In the 1920′s Minnie was classically chic in black and white, while the 30′s introduced a more colorful look when she first started sporting her iconic polka-dot outfits. The 40′s brought her signature bow, and she stayed on trend throughout the fashion revolutions of the 50′s, 60′s, and 70′s – including a flower-power mini-dress with platform shoes! In the 80′s she was working out in her sneakers and sweatshirt, during the 90′s she rocked a ruffled skirt and denim jacket, and the new millennium brought her back to her polka-dot roots. Today Minnie is an inspiration and muse for fashionistas around the world!
Minnie Mouse is my favorite character, so I can’t wait to get my hands on one of these bags!!!
The LeSportsac Celebrate Minnie print is offered in 18 Classic styles (listed below), and is currently available online.
6506 Lily 6511 Rectangular Cosmetic 7184 Medium Weekender
7185 Large Weekender 7315 Travel Cosmetic 7418 Mini Basic Backpack
7470 Small EveryGirl Tote 7507 Deluxe Everyday Bag 7519 Deluxe Shoulder Satchel
7520 Classic Hobo 7532 Ryan Baby Bag 7562 Small Cleo Crossbody Hobo
I thought that we would start our On the Go Gift Guide with a really fun board game from Wonder Forge, Disney Eye Found It!
Disney Eye Found It features a jumbo game board that is filled to brim with whimsical artwork and starring your favorite Disney characters.
Join Mickey Mouse and friends on an exciting race through 12 exquisitely illustrated Disney realms, from Radiator Springs and Alice’s Wonderland to Peter Pan’s Never Land and Pooh’s Hundred Acre Wood. Throughout the race, everyone searches for iconic Disney objects…and gets a chance to say, “I found it!”
Disney Eye Found It at a Glance
Players:
Game is for 2-6 players ages 5 and up
Promotes:
Cooperation and teamwork
Observation skills and attention to detail
Reinforces object identification and matching skills
Product Contents:
Wonder Forge packaging is beyond amazing! I love how there isn’t a lot of waste and that the pieces are already in pouches so pieces stay together!
1 Six-foot Game Board in three sections
6 Movers
6 Mover Bases
1 Spinner
12 Mickey Mouse Ear Tokens
30 Search Cards
1 Sand Timer
1 Game Rules Manual
When you are setting up Disney Eye Found It, make sure that you have a LOT of space! When they say Jumbo, they totally mean Jumbo! We set the game up on our dining room table, which was the perfect place to play the game since everyone had a seat and it was a flat surface for the board to fit together.
The board is chocked full of detail that is beyond perfect for any Disney fan, and it is really easy to get lost in the details! We ended up giving the younger ones playing a little more time and hints since the board is so gigantic!
Here are some of my favorite Disney realms features in Disney Eye Found It!
We all had a really great time playing Disney Eye Found It, and it is definitely a game we will pull out again to play for our Family Game Nights!
Make sure you make it to the castle before the strike of Midnight!
Disclosure:Through a partnership with Wonder Forge Games, I have received a promotional item in exchange for this post. All opinions and thoughts are my own!
While I have found some ‘Theme Park Friendly’ options for snacks to bring with us into the parks for Zoe, finding snacks that I enjoy taking to the parks has proven to be quite the quest until I found Mario Snack Olives!
Theme Park Friendly snacks, for our family, are ones that don’t melt, aren’t sticky, don’t require us to have a table to eat them, and can be eaten without preparation.
Packaged without the typical brine, the Snack Olives are easy to open, easily fit into my park bag, and come in a variety of flavors sure to make any olive lover happy!
Here are some of my favorite ways to bring Mario Snack Olives as I am On the Go in the Theme Parks!
If we are going to be in the parks all day, I like to pack a heavy snack to keep our blood sugar (and mood) up! I can’t tell you how many times this snack has salvaged our day in the park! Using inexpensive containers that stack nicely in my park bag, each member of our family gets their own treat with what they enjoy!
I like to add Mario Snack Olives to my salads! Since they are packaged without a lot of mess, it is easy to tear open a pouch to add an extra kick to my salad!
And finally, they are delicious on their own! I am guilty of opening a pouch to snack on while I am waiting in a queue or for a parade!
Want to give Mario Snack Olives a try? You can find them here on Amazon, in 7/11 stores in the Tampa, Lakeland and Miami areas, or by entering our Giveaway!
Currently in theaters, Frozen is the tale of two sisters separated by magic, but joined by their love for each other. Bearing almost no resemblance to it source work, “The Snow Queen” by Hans Christian Andersen, Frozen becomes a new, different, and original story by Disney. In keeping with the current trend, this movie is completely computer animated, and at some very key moments in the movie it’s clear that this technology has advanced to such a point as to make magic take on a very real feel.
There are some interesting characters thrown into the film like the comedic sidekick Olaf the Snowman – a character I honestly found annoying from the original trailer – that I really enjoyed in the context of the full movie. Drawing from something that worked really well in the movie Tangled, we get a second sidekick in the form of a carrot loving reindeer named Sven. Since they were young Sven has been the companion of the ice trader Kristoff – together they have a relationship that reminds me of myself and my dog Jasper (yes including the talking).
Arendelle is a very beautiful land that is in many ways made more beautiful when covered in snow and ice. There are moments where that snow and ice are used to convey the emotion of the characters and the moment that just work so fantastically well, that you’re reminded of that magical element to winter from your childhood. This coming from someone who can’t stand snow.
The music in the movie is really strong, and does a fantastic job in helping to broaden the definition of the characters singing them. One clever element is that instead of having the manly mountain man Kristoff sing a song about his feelings, his “family” of rock trolls sings it for him. Anna’s entire drive for the movie is defined in the song “Do You Want to Build a Snowman” which is an ode to her longing for the companionship of her sister. “Let It Go” is that moment when Elsa is finally able to be herself while at the same time letting us know that she too is lonely.
httpv://youtu.be/kHue-HaXXzg
For 70 years Disney has been looking for a way to bring the story of “The Snow Queen” to movie audiences, and it’s clear that they have succeeded. It’s nice to have a story where the core, classic elements of what people perceive to be a “Disney Movie” can be turned on their side some and bring about the sort of depth of to characters that modern audiences crave. Do I think everyone will like this movie? No. Do I think that Disney fans should go see this movie? Absolutely. Frozen is a very good movie that tells a strong story using well defined characters that is very enjoyable to watch.
This meal was paid for by me and my friends. No compensation. I wanted to share a place that we love with you.
A few years ago, The Crooked Spoon was a food truck. And while I had never tried anything from the food truck, I had heard wonderful things about it.
From there, Chef Saelg decided that he wanted an an actual location and I’m so happy that Clermont was decided upon. That means that I don’t have to drive to Orlando all the time for a super fantastic meal!
The food truck may not be around anymore (from what I know), but The Crooked Spoon is worth the drive from wherever you are when you’re in the Central Florida area!
We’ve gone twice now and the first time we went we were excited about our meals and loved every bite of them and this past time was no different.
The prices are good. They have a happy hour. And the food has been amazing so far!
Crab cake to start off with. I mean, just look at the presentation of this thing.
Their drinks look and taste amazing. And their beer and wine selection is quite impressive as well!
Here’s the rest of the food our table had (minus the pork belly BLT because I apparently ate it all before I remembered that I needed to take a picture. Oops!)
6 Cheese Mac and Cheese (the plate looks small here, but it is SO not!)
Cranberry Turkey Sandwich
Smoked Chicken Wings (this is actually an appetizer, but my friend really liked this last time so went with them as a meal)
The restaurant is set up really well with lots of space and a big outdoor area as well.
I HIGHLY recommend you going to try out The Crooked Spoon Gastropub because…well, just typing this up made me want to go back and we went there last night!
The Crooked Spoon is located right next to the Citrus Tower in Clermont – 200 Citrus Tower Blvd., Clermont, FL 34711
For the past 10+ years, I have been to Capone’s Dinner & Show numerous times! The main reason is my mom LOVES it.
I’m telling you, I can quote the show. And I notice when songs are removed (I’m still sad one of my favorite music numbers is gone.)
When we got there to pick up our tickets we were given our secret password and the option to go in a bit early and enjoy the upstairs bar. The early access means that you have to pay for at least one drink (per person), but you’ll get first go at food before everyone else starts pouring in.
The meal provided is buffet style (read: buff-et) and you can view the menu here. As for the drinks…they are a plenty! Included in your ticket price is unlimited drinks, which makes the show even THAT much funnier 😉 Your choice of unlimited drinks include: Bud Light draft, rum runner, rum & cola, cranberry & vodka, white zinfandel, merlot & chardonnay wines, soda, iced tea, hot tea, coffee, cranberry juice, fruit punch. (You’ve already gotten a great deal with the meal/drinks alone!)
When we were given access to be able take some pictures and video, I couldn’t wait to share it!
httpv://youtu.be/aS4O0gGAbd8
What’s Capone’s about? Well, I don’t want to give too much away, but you’re in the gangster underworld.
All of the wait staff are in character and talk and act like gangsters would (or at least that’s the way I would imagine they would..you know, if they were somewhat nice.)
The stage is taken over by a six person show – Bunny and her new husband, Fingers, are the who the story line follows. The songs are catchy and the lines exchanged are punchy.
So many laughs and “oh, that was a pun” laughs are heard during the show.
Whether you’re a local and have driven by it or your visiting from out of town, make sure to stop by Capone’s for dinner and laughs! Before you call for reservations make sure you check out their website for any deals they may have on tickets (I just looked and spied a 50% off coupon!)
Gravity Falls: Six Strange Tales Available on Disney DVD
Over 2 Hours of Hilarious Adventures, Irreverent Humor, and Unforgettable Characters
The popular Disney Channel Animated TV Series Gravity Falls has hit the shelves with Gravity Falls: Six Strange Tales on Disney DVD which comes with an exclusive Mystery Book: Journal #3!
In this animated adventure comedy riddled with mystery, twin brother and sister Dipper and Mabel are sent to spend their summer vacation with their great uncle. Upon arrival, their great uncle, also known as Grunkle Stan, enlists the siblings’ help in running The Mystery Shack, a fun tourist trap he owns that overcharges unsuspecting customers. While Dipper has a hard time getting used to his new surroundings, Mabel’s upbeat optimism comes in handy in her quest to find true love. When Dipper stumbles upon an elusive book, he discovers that it is the key to unlocking the town’s mysterious secrets, and the brother and sister duo soon realize they must rely on one another to navigate the unfamiliar place.
Gravity Falls: Six Strange Tales has six episodes that are shown in order, because it is definitely a show that you have to pay attention to as little things reappear in later episodes. The Six episodes on the DVD are:
1 – “Tourist Trapped”
2 – “The Legend of the Gobblewonker”
3 – “Headhunters”
4 – “The Hand That Rocks the Mabel”
5 – “The Inconveniencing”
6 – “Dipper vs. Manliness”
httpv://youtu.be/vnDA4UmqE70
Gravity Falls has definitely become a favorite show in our house, as it has great animation, storytelling that is funny & compelling, and jokes that make everyone giggle.
Gravity Falls: Six strange tales is 155 minutes of great fun that any fan of the Disney Channel Animated TV series will want to own!
All this food was paid for by me! No compensation here!
When we saw a new place being added on 192 near 429/Target in Kissimmee and the other run of the mill restaurants, we just assumed it’d be just another place, thankfully we were wrong!
My boyfriend has been stalking Shula Burger since the sign went up, and when he saw it was open, he was more than ready to go.
Shula Burger
Guys, they had been open THREE days when we went. I am always skeptical when places haven’t been open too long because they probably haven’t gotten their stuff together.
Wrong again. We were proved wrong in the BEST way.
First of all, Shula Burger is not your standard burger joint. You order your burger, salad, chicken, sweets, whatever you want at the counter.
From there you can get your order to go or eat in. They give you a number if you eat in and your food comes to you! Oh and if you want to call in and pick it up, you can do that too.
We both ordered create your own burgers – garlic herb mayo, onions, mushrooms, bacon, cheese. The choices go on and on. I had sweet potato tots (which were AMAZING) and Jeff enjoyed his sea salt fries.
During our lunch I actually stopped and said, “This burger is cooked perfectly.” And it truly was.
Oh and if you’re wanting to enjoy the outside with your meal, you can sit in this huge patio area.
Before we left I approached the kitchen window, some of the staff, and the manager to tell them how great our experience was.
When we left I heard “See you soon!” and that is 100% true – they will definitely see us soon!
Last weekend we were invited to take part in the Grand Re-Opening of Westgate River Ranch in River Ranch, FL. The ranch is the largest Dude Ranch East of the Mississippi and sits on 1,700 acres in the Kissimmee River area. This resort features options that will suit everyone from those who like to rough it to those who are used to more upscale accommodations. There is tent camping, RV hookups, Glamping sites, traditional resort rooms, as well as cabins with studios, one and two bedroom units that can sleep up to ten guests.
At Westgate River Ranch you are able to experience as much or as little as you would like to with a la carte activity options. I will get more in depth with the numerous adventures available to guests in my next post as well as go in to more detail about what we experienced ourselves. To give you a quick taste of what is offered though, you can golf, fish, go on an airboat ride, swamp buggy, skeet and trap shooting, there is a ropes course, petting zoo, brand new adventure park including miniature golf, mechanical bull riding, zip line, rock climbing wall, bungee jumping for kids, horseback riding, golf, horseshoes and archery. Next month the ranch will play host to the Tough Mudder competition on November 2nd and 3rd.
Smokehouse RestaurantGeneral Store
Restaurants at the resort include the Smokehouse, which features a la carte menu for lunch and dinner and also offers a breakfast buffet with a great view of the water. We didn’t get an opportunity to eat here since our meals were catered for the weekend, but the menu looked great and I look forward to returning to try it next time. The General Store at Westgate River Ranch has options for doing your own grocery shopping if you’d like to cook your own meals if you are camping or in a cabin. You also can order pizza, sandwiches, salads, etc. from the General Store if you are staying in the Inn rooms and don’t have cooking facilities available to you or just choose to get take out. Snacks are also available for sale in the evening around the adventure park area and Saturday nights at the rodeo.
While at the resort we were able to tour the different types of rooms and campsites available to rent. Westgate River Ranch has campsites available to those who like to do traditional tent camping. Bathrooms are available nearby for campers to use by the Trap and Skeet Range. For those who have pop up campers, motor homes or travel trailers, there are options for you too. RV hookups with water and electric are available with a dump station adjacent to the campsites for sewer. Glamping is the bridge type of accommodation for people who like to camp, but don’t want to give up creature comforts like electricity and air conditioning. These Glamping sites are awesome with either one or two beds, a ceiling fan, your own private bathroom with a key in a building close by, mini fridge, microwave, sitting area, board games included, as well as a grill for each site and a larger community campfire area.
Tent camping areaRV siteRV hookupRV setupGlamping areaGlamping grillGlamping tentGlamping tent ceiling fanGlamping tent mini fridge and microwaveGlamping tent portable a/cGames in Glamping tent
If you are like me and are more inclined to stay in something with four walls and central a/c, then you’ve got plenty of choices at Westgate River Ranch, too. We stayed in a beautiful Inn room in the Lodge section of the resort that had been recently renovated. The room had a brand new 51″ tv (not that you’ll want to spend much time in your room with all the great activities, but it is still nice to have at night), new linens, floors, countertops, the works. If you are looking for something for a larger group, the Westgate River Ranch offers cabins that have studios, one or two bedrooms. The two bedrooms are considered lockoffs that consist of a one bedroom and a studio combined. The studios have a kitchenette and the one bedroom has a full kitchen so it is great to have that extra fridge space for snacks and drinks. The two bedroom has three full bathrooms and can sleep up to ten guests. The cabin we toured had a gorgeous wraparound porch with rocking chairs and a fantastic view of the buffalo at the ranch.
New Renovated Inn Room image courtesy Westgate River RanchSingle cabinCabin exteriorCabin wraparound porchBuffalo outside the cabinsCabin 1 bedroom 1st bathCabin 1 bedroom 2nd bathCabin 1 bedroom 2nd bath jetted tubCabin 1 bedroom 2nd showerCabin 1 bedroom desk areaCabin 1 bedroom king bedCabin 1 bedroom kitchenCabin 1 bedroom laundryCabin 1 bedroom living and dining areaCabin studioCabin studio bathroomCabin studio kitchenetteCabin studio view from bathroom
I cannot wait to go back to Westgate River Ranch for a girls getaway weekend or even a family reunion. There are great meeting spaces, so it is also perfect for a corporate retreat or even wedding. The choices of activities and types of lodging offered at Westgate River Ranch are diverse so there is sure to be something for the cowboy or cowgirl in all of us. I hope you take an opportunity to check out the resort for a stay soon or even just to experience the awesome recreation options they have or to see the rodeo and come out dancing some Saturday night. Please go check out Westgate River Ranch and let me know what you think!
EntranceEast CorralMom and me with John WayneJohn WayneWestern and General StoresWestern StorePost OfficeMap of the Ranch
Have you been to Westgate River Ranch before? Are you looking for a new adventure? This is the place for you just about an hour and a half from the Orlando area and about an hour from Tampa.
Disclaimer: I received complimentary lodging and meals in exchange for my time and efforts in creating this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Two worlds collide as Phineas and Ferb team up with Marvel Super Heroes in Phineas and Ferb: Mission Marvel
Phineas and Ferb: Mission Marvel is the first animated Marvel Crossover created between the Disney Channel and Marvel, and it is sure to please fans of both franchises
The fate of the Tri-State area – and the world – hangs in the balance as Agent P and Danville’s most dynamic duo team up with four of Marvel’s greatest Super Heroes- Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, and Spider-Man – in one awesome full-length adventure.
After Dr. Doofenshmirtz’s latest “-inator” scheme accidentally removes the powers of some very well-known Marvel Super Heroes (Spider-Man, Iron Man, Thor, and Hulk), the heroes enter the world of Danville and team up with Phineas and Ferb to relocate their powers, defeat the Marvel Super Villains (Red Skull, MODOK, Whiplash and Venom) – who have also shown up to steal Doofenshmirtz’s power-draining technology – and save Danville from ultimate destruction!
httpv://youtu.be/lngO85cJdP4
The episode is full of great nods to each Marvel character and their backstory, shout-outs to several sci-fi shows and movies (I’m looking at you Dr. Who and Howard the Duck), and even a required cameo by Stan Lee!
Helping Super Heroes bust Super Villains is what they’re going to do today!
In addition to the Phineas and Ferb: Mission Marvel full length adventure, there are six other full episodes of Phineas and Ferb on this DVD that make up 145 minutes of fun sure to keep big and little ones hooked!
Another fun feature of Phineas and Ferb: Mission Marvel is that inside each DVD is a Collectible Comic Book featuring characters from the episode, as well as one of three distinct and exclusive Marvel Posters. For collectors this is a huge bonus!!!
Phineas and Ferb: Mission Marvel is available now on Disney DVD, and if you are a fan of Phineas and Ferb or Marvel you are going to want to grab this song filled, action packed DVD for your collection!!!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of Phineas and Ferb: Mission Marvel to review for this post. All opinions and fandom are my own!
Field Trip is one of those apps that I stumbled upon recently. It is developed by Google, but is also available on Apple devices. This app helps you explore the world around you by discovering points of interest based on different categories. You can setup the app to find things around you in specific subjects like Architecture, Historic Places & Events, Lifestyle, Offers & Deals, Food, Drinks & Fun, Cool & Unique, and Art & Museums.
Field TripFood, Drinks & FunLifestyleCool & UniqueNearby
In the Field Trip app you can see things around you on a map using Google Maps, in a list on the Nearby tab, Recent places you have been near, and Favorites that you can save by logging into your Google account. Once you sign in with your profile, you also have the ability to sign up for the Fieldtripper newsletter by email that will send you suggestions to your inbox.
Within each of the interest categories, you can select the feeds that contribute to the suggestions. These are taken from all over the world, so you can drill down and choose to leave out some that are in other languages or not specific to your geographic location if you opt to do so. I like to keep everything selected because you never know when someone in Germany will travel to your area and suggest something new to try. Also, in each subject you can select on a sliding scale to show more or less from each particular source. Field Trip additionally allows you to set the frequency of your overall notifications from Explore (frequent), Feeling Lucky (occasional) to Off (disabled).
Speak When options
Settings for Field Trip can be customized to turn notification sounds on and off. Bluetooth can also be enabled if you want to have your sounds come through instead of through your phone or tablet speakers. A cool feature is the speaking aspect of the Field Trip app. You can choose to have titles and descriptions, just titles, or nothing spoken to you by the app. Furthermore, you can tell the app when to speak.
I love the Field Trip app for discovering new stuff around home for a staycation, exploring a new area, or just learning more about places you’ve already visited. You can share the information you discover through Google+, Facebook, Twitter, e-mail, text, etc. right from the Field Trip app. Feedback options are available for each article so content can be improved over time. Each card for the points of interest features more detailed information including a Google Maps link for easy directions. Here you can see info on McKechnie Field and Bonefish Grill in the app.
I can’t wait to explore even more to find exciting opportunities around me that I didn’t know existed from restaurants to entertainment and cultural offerings. Have you tried out this new app? What do you think? Any favorite discoveries so far? Let me know what you think.
Since I was planning to take a longer trip away from home than I normally do, I decided to try a new place that opened up by the Airport named Orlando Canine Country Club. I had saw the Orlando Canine Country Club booth at the Posh Pooch Celebration Event In February, and they seemed like they would be a great fit for us.
I called and made an appointment for them to “interview” Jasper. At the interview I filled out forms, they petted Jasper, and then Jasper waited in a playroom while I took a tour of the facility.
Orlando Canine Country Club Facility
The suites were decently sized and open so you could see in, they have an open floor plan. I returned and then they took Jasper to go play with the other dogs, then Jasper came back and they said I needed to get a harness and recommended I have Jasper wear it a week before his arrival, and that I could firm up my drop off time via email before I arrived.
httpv://youtu.be/wUNHLc7xyRY
My mom picked us up and we went to drop Jasper off before she dropped us off. Todd seemed pretty impressed, Jasper was excited to arrive. We were told they were making changes to the webcams, we said see you later to Jasper and we were off.
During our vacation, we took time away to call in and see how he was doing, of course he was having fun and naps as scheduled. After we returned, my mother in law emailed letting us know she saw him briefly on the webcam.
Orlando Canine Country Club Pool
I picked him up on the Monday after I returned, he looked great and was ready to head home.
Pricing for the Orlando Canine Country Club was $30 per night which is very reasonable, and I probably will use them again if I’m flying for vacation since they are so close to the airport.
Well I’m sure I haven’t answered everything, they have a FAQ if you have more questions.
This past weekend I had the opportunity to eat at one of my favorite restaurants on Walt Disney World Property at Citricos. Located in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Citricos is a signature restaurant with a focus on Mediterranean influence. I have eaten here at least 5 – 10 times over the past five years or so and it is consistently in my top five Disney restaurants. I previously wrote about it here when talking about my favorite restaurants.
The restaurant is located on the second floor of the Grand Floridian and is decorated in soft yellow and orange tones that invite guests to enter. Citricos shares a lobby with Victoria & Albert’s, the resort’s Five Diamond fine dining establishment. Inside Citricos there is a small lounge open to the restaurant, as is the kitchen, which always makes for fun dining to be able to see the chefs hard at work right before your eyes.
Citricos barCitricos lounge and kitchenCitricos open kitchen
My friends and I arrived about half an hour before our scheduled reservation time, but since it was relatively slow, we were seated almost immediately in Citricos. The table we were lead to by the greeter was all the way in the back of the restaurant by the bank of windows facing the Magic Kingdom. We had a fantastic view of Cinderella Castle from our table for Wishes!
Chicken B’steeyaCrispy Fried Yellow Tomato and Buffalo MozzarellaPanada
Appetizers
We started off each with an appetizer to begin our meal. I opted for the Ashley Farms Chicken B’steeya at the recommendation of a friend. It was almost like a version of baklava with chicken and almonds, a little sweet with the orange blossom honey, but very tasty. Shelley had the Crispy Fried Yellow and Buffalo Mozzarella, which was somewhat like a deconstructed Caesar salad. She said the sweet flavors of the heirloom tomatoes were well complemented by the bitter romaine and strong garlic of the dressing. Dave ordered the Panada, which one or two of us couldn’t help calling Panda and saying we didn’t want to eat our dear friend John. It was fantastic! The slow-cooked beef and pork are spiced with a tamarind sauce and then baked in phyllo.
Entrees
For entrees we each chose something that wouldn’t necessarily be our go to item on the menu to live dangerously. Shelley was craving beef, so she order the Oak-grilled Filet of Beef, which had fantastic accompaniments of Yukon Gold Potato and Peppadew Peppers. She said it was a good cut of meat, but a little bland for her taste and felt it could have been seasoned a bit more, but the cabernet demi-glace did help. Dave opted for the Madeira-braised Short Ribs with Hominy-Cheddar Potato Puree and Wild Mushroom Ragout, which is my go to entree at Citricos. I went out on a limb and got the Berkshire Pork Two Ways with Rotisserie Pork Tenderloin, Roasted Pork Belly, Brentwood Farms Corn Bred, Rainbow Swiss Chard, Green Apple and Cipplolini Onion Chutney. I am not usually a fan of pork, but thought I’d give it a shot. Dave was having buyer’s remorse, so we ended up actually switching our entrees after trying the ones we originally ordered. This ended up working out perfectly as we were both much happier with what the other got.
Oak-grilled Filet of BeefBerkshire Pork Two WaysMadiera-braised Short Ribs
Dessert
Dessert was served just moments before Wishes started! Dave chose the Tiramisu, which he said was incredible. Shelley got the Tasting of Gelato, which is typically served with vanilla, cappuccino and raspberry, but she substituted the cappuccino for a second vanilla. I ordered the Granny Smith Green Apple Sorbet since I didn’t want anything creamy. This was amazing! It was like biting into a freshly frozen green apple and was served with strawberries and blueberries. Our view for the fireworks was awesome, only to be rivaled by the incredible service from our server Kierra.
Tasting of GelatoTiramisuGranny Smith Green Apple SorbetWishes
All in all, this was yet another fantastic dining experience at Citricos. I cannot recommend this restaurant enough if you are looking for a nice meal outside the parks at Walt Disney World. I have learned I need to order the short ribs pretty much every time unless I opt for one of the phenomenal seafood dishes, which makes me lament the demise of the Gateau of Crab that used to be my favorite appetizer here. Have you been to Citricos recently? What did you order? Please let me know what your thoughts were.
The Muppet Movie was one of my absolute favorite movies growing up, and it holds a truly special place in my heart. The NEARLY 35th Anniversary Special Edition is out now on Blu-Ray, and it is a great way to share this movie with your family and to see some great bonus features!
If you haven’t seen the movie…shame on you!!!
The Muppet Movie is a 1979 classic, that gives you a hilarious peek at where some of your favorite Muppets, like Kermit the Frog, Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, and Animal to name a few, came from when they were just getting started!
In The Muppet Movie the gang hits the road on a funny and at times emotional road trip to follow their dreams to Hollywood to become stars.
The Muppet Movie is full of heart, funny gags, and songs that will fill your eyes with tears and put a smile on your face!
httpv://youtu.be/N31JLdKmHIE
What makes the The NEARLY 35th Anniversary Special Edition of The Muppet movie truly great are the MUPPETASTIC Bonus Features!
In addition to the original trailers and Doc Hopper’s full commercial, you also get Frog-E-Oke Sing-Along where you get to join the Muppet Gang in some of your favorite songs, Pepe Profiles Present: Kermit-A Frog’s Life which is a classic feature that is a ‘Hollywood Biography’ with interviews from Kermit the Frog and other special guests, and the Disney Intermission feature is a fun way to get a few laughs in when you have to pause the movie!
However, the gem of The NEARLY 35th Anniversary Special Edition of The Muppet movie is Jim Frawley’s Extended Camera Test! This is a little over 15 minutes of footage that features Jim Henson, Frank Oz, and others as they take a few Muppets for their first outdoor screen tests. It is so much fun to see these characters being themselves. Since this is a camera test, you can occasionally see a peek of Henson and Oz having fun and doing what they love!
With the Muppets Most Wanted coming soon, The Muppet Movie is a great place to start your film journey to get prepared for what is sure to be an awesome movie!
The NEARLY 35th Anniversary Special Edition of The Muppet movie is a Must Own for any Muppet fan!
