Categories
Reviews

It’s not a zoo, but breakfast there may feel like it…

I am back with another round of restaurant reviews. I thought long and hard about what establishment I wanted to review this time. I decided that I wanted to chat about a character meal and what better one to highlight than one that I frequent on every trip. So get ready for a chaotic, fun-filled experience! My kids LOVE rides! And the ride that they love the most is Expedition Everest. Even though I can only ride once or MAYBE twice a day, they can ride over and over again. I think that is one of the main reasons that we started eating with our friend Donald before the park opened at Animal Kingdom. Just like at the Magic Kingdom, one of the biggest advantages to dragging your butt out of bed early in the morning for a breakfast reservation is to be in the park before opening so that you can be on those rides before most even get to the park. (Yes, you late sleepers know who you are…) I personally don’t care as much about being the first on a ride, but I do love taking pictures of the parks without a mass of people in them. So we choose a day to get up early, make a reservation, get on that early bus, and we end up here.

I have mixed feelings about this breakfast. I do so hate to be negative about anything Disney, since I love the World so much, but I both love and hate breakfast at Tusker House. Now here’s one thing that I don’t like about these breakfasts. I don’t like the picture that they take at the front then try to sell you for $30 bucks or so. I almost always say no, and my hubby always feels bad saying no. However, the photographers are very nice and understanding. And when I asked for the Cast Member to take a picture with my own camera, he not only did so, but he took multiple pictures zooming in and out. I thought that was incredibly nice of him.

There is usually a line to get in, but they are experts at getting through it quickly. I mean really, one thing that Tusker House is good at is being a revolving door getting people in and out. That is actually one of the things that makes me a little uncomfortable eating there. I always feel that I’m being rushed out the door. It is a benefit when trying to get in though. Although I suppose being in the first seating certainly doesn’t hurt. Another thing, it is crowded and loud. They certainly know how to pack those tables in there! I think it is more noticeable than at other places becuase it’s just rectangular tables in rows. You can see all the rows of tables behind the kids.

Upon arriving, the characters came around right away. At some places you’ll get outstanding character interactions. We have always had fabulous luck at ‘Ohanas and Cape May Cafe, but at Tusker House it is pretty much quick take a picture, sign a book, and move on. Which is fine. I know that there are a lot of people waiting to see the characters. I just wouldn’t say that this is where you’ll find the best interaction for your buck. That being said, you will find Daisy here, which my girls love. We also saw Mickey and Goofy in fun safari gear. Here’s an example.

It’s loud, it’s crowded, it’s fast paced…you may ask why we keep going back every trip. Well, the answer to that is simple- besides the early park arrival that is. Food. We love our food. And Tusker House has a breakfast menu that is just different enough from the other breakfast buffets to make it worth it to us. There is cereal, donuts, yogurt, granola, eggs, bacon, sausage, rice, potatoes, some sort of quiche, and don’t forget the POG juice. Yum! I love the big buffet stations. They are so spread out that they never feel crowded like Crystal Palace can.

I mean seriously, those potatoes are GOOD! They have just a bit of spice to them. MMM. And that quiche is yummy too!

So even with its faults, we take the bad with the good and we find that it is worth it for us to continue visiting on our trips. If you decide to visit, make sure to say hello to my girl Daisy for me!

-Jenn

 

Categories
Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday – Disney Fantasy

Categories
Travel Tips

Stroller Rental-Which is right for you?

Most Disney guests know that strollers can be rented in the parks but many don’t realize that strollers can also be rented from a number of outside vendors.  This blog post will offer information on both options to help you decide which is right for you.

Disney strollers (Walt Disney World):

  • One day and “length of stay” rentals available which allow you to customize your rental to best suit your needs. 
  • Stroller locations can be found at the front of each park.  Each park also offers additional locations to obtain a replacement stroller (with your receipt) should you accidentally misplace your stroller.
  • Both single and double strollers available for rent.
  • Strollers offer very minimal space for storage/carrying additional items.
  • Since strollers must be returned before leaving the park you do not have to give up space in your resort or hotel to store a stroller.
  • Strollers are constructed of a sturdy plastic which makes them easy to clean and makes it possible to accommodate larger children.  However, this style means the seats are fixed and cannot be reclined but strollers are long enough that smaller children can usually have ample room to lay down comfortably
  • Strollers offer large sun shades which can be a huge benefit in the Florida sun.
  • Strollers feature a three wheel design which makes them easy to handle and maneuver through the park.
  • Strollers are rented on a “first come, first serve” basis so at exceptionally busy times of the year availability may be a problem.

Disney strollers (Disneyland):

  • Offers only daily rental rates but does have a discount if you are renting more than one.
  • Stroller rental location can be found adjacent to the kennel outside the Disneyland Park main entrance and strollers can be taken used in both Disneyland and California Adventure.
  • Only single strollers available for rent.
  • Strollers offer small basket for storage/carrying additional items.
  • Since strollers must be returned before leaving the park you do not have to give up space in your resort or hotel to store a stroller.
  • Strollers offer retractable sun shades to help keep children comfortable.
  • Strollers feature a three wheel design which makes them easy to handle and maneuver through the park.
  • Strollers are rented on a “first come, first serve” basis so at exceptionally busy times of the year availability may be a problem.

 

Stroller Rental from Outside Vendors:

  • Strollers are delivered to and picked up from your resort at no additional cost.
  • Both single and double strollers are available for rent.
  • Costs vary depending on the number of nights of your stay but in most cases the price is either the same or less than renting in the parks.
  • Since you will have the stroller at your resort you have the benefit of being able to use it from your room to whatever mode of transportation you are taking to the parks.  As well, when you leave the parks you have the convenience of leaving children in the stroller until it is time to board transportation back to your resort.
  • On the reverse side, storing the stroller will take up some space in your room but in the folded position the floor space required is fairly minimal.
  • Strollers must be folded on Disney transportation and the models offered by outside vendors feature an easy one step fold.
  • Strollers feature large retractable sun shades, baskets for storage and some vendors offer the ability to add additional accessories such as rain covers, parent trays for holding drinks etc, or glider boards to attach for older siblings to stand on if they need a little reprieve from walking.
  • Strollers feature a three wheel design which makes them easy to handle and maneuver through the park.
  • Strollers can be reclined for naps or additional comfort for younger children.
  • Since you make reservations for your stroller ahead of time there are no concerns about availability.

 

Strollers can prove to be an invaluable tool during a Disney vacation and I hope this information will help you determine what will work best for you.  I also recommend giving consideration to using a stroller for slightly older children who may not use one at home but who are still young enough that they could tire easily from the extensive walking.  Some other benefits of using a stroller are eliminating the concern of getting separated from a child in a crowd, being able to move between attractions quicker, giving kids have a comfortable place to sit when waiting for or viewing parades, and having a place to nap if you prefer not to leave the parks for naptime.

 

Links to stroller rental vendors (Walt Disney World)

 

Links to stroller rental vendors (Disneyland)*

*All of these vendors also rent a wide variety of other baby equipment.

 

 

Categories
New Releases Site News and Events

MouseScrappers New Releases – June 15, 2012

Did you miss us last week? While our designers took a much needed week off, they still were busy designing. This week we have a total of NINE new releases! Just wait until you see what the Polka Dot Chicks and Capturing Magical Memories have in store for you this today. I promise you won’t be disappointed! And, to make it even better, all of their new releases are on sale. Keep reading for the full details.

Polka Dot Chicks

Tammy and her daughter have some incredible new releases, yet again! They’ve added a gorgeous kit to their “Magical Basics” collection, a magical kit perfect for our favorite “sleeping” princess, another set of templates, a fun alpha and a set of quick pages and layered papers. Let’s take a look at their new goodies. 🙂

First up is their Magical Basics: Essentials Kit. This kit is the perfect edition to their Magical Basics collection. Just like with the rest of the collection, you can use it to scrap all of your magical memories.

Next up, let’s take a look at the Chicks newest template pack. Just like with their other template packs, Magical Templates 4, comes with the variety of layers, multiple photo placements, fun element suggestions, etc that we’ve all come to expect. And, templates are the best, because they are SO easy to customize by flipping or rotating, removing layers, moving layers, combining 2 templates together – the options are limitless!

Do you remember the Polka Dot Chicks fun What’s Black ‘n White kit? Well, to help speed up your scrapping, check out these incredible quick pages and layered papers they’ve made for you! If you’ve never worked with quick pages before, let me tell you just how simple they are. All you do is add your photos, some journaling, a title, basically whatever you want. The hard work is done for you, the papers and elements are already there. And, in less than 10 minutes, you’ve got a gorgeous page! If you want a little more hand in the creativity, use the layered papers instead. Here you’ve got all of your papers and a few elements to help you start. You can then add your photos, additional elements, a title and journaling. In less than 30 minutes, your page is done!

Next up, let’s look at their newest alpha pack addition! Their Magical Gradient Alpha includes a full upper and lowercase alpha. The colors are perfect to combine with ANY of their other kits you find in the MouseScrappers store. Yes, it truly is that versatile.

And last, but not least, let’s look at their newest full themed kit! I’ve got to admit, I’m in love with this kit, it’s about my favorite Princess! Think about an evil witch who can transform into a dragon, three good fairies who whisk a baby princess away to the woods to keep her safe, a prince who doesn’t want to marry the princess his parents betrothed him to, and a young lady who doesn’t realize she’s a princess. Although this kit is definitely themed towards our favorite sleeping princess, it has plenty of elements that can be used for scrapping many of our other favorite princesses, villains and magical castles. We proudly present you with “True Love’s Kiss.”

And, just to sweeten this already sweet set of new releases, ALL of the Polka Dot Chicks new releases are on sale for 25% off from Friday, June 15th through Sunday, June 17th!

Look at how much fun our creative team had combining several of these new releases.


Capturing Magical Memories

Mary took a much deserved break last week, she wanted to perfect her ocean-themed bundle. And, I must say, the wait is well worth the end results! I know our creative team sure enjoyed playing with it! And it has so many uses OUTSIDE of our favorite magical parks. Think visiting the aquarium, ocean, or even your own fish friends at home!

For those of you who just HAVE to have it all, Mary has even bundled it all up! Isn’t she a sweetheart?

All of Capturing Magical Memories NEW releases are on sale through Sunday, June 17th, for 30% off! Yep, that deal even includes her bundle. So, don’t wait, Sunday will be here before you know it!

Just look at these gorgeous layouts our Creative Team made with these new items.

 

That’s all for this week, folks! So, what are you waiting for? Please remember to not run, but safely walk to your first destination of the day – the MouseScrappers Store! And don’t forget the sales that both the Polka Dot Chicks and Capturing Magical Memories are having end on Sunday, June 17th. Thanks for stopping by, and “see” you next week for our next edition of magical new releases.

Categories
Designer Spotlight Sponsor Spotlight

Sponsor Spotlight – Sahlin Studio

Today’s Sponsor Spotlight is Krista, of Sahlin Studio! I’ve been a fan of Krista’s scrapping since before she even started designing, and even I learned a few new things from her interview!

Tell us a little about yourself:
My name is Krista Sahlin, designer behind Sahlin Studio. I am a wife, lucky to be married to my best friend (and ‘IT’ guy that helps keep my computer running well.) I am a mother to two wonderful and rambunctious kiddos, Sophia (10) and Gabe (8). 🙂 Random fact: I married into a difficult to pronounce last name. It drives me crazy that 99% of people say it wrong. LOL! So if you’d like to know: “Sahlin” is pronounced – (sah-LEEN) as in, Celine Dion. What else? I am an avid memory keeper (i.e. scrap addict) a love that has combined my love of digital scrapping with my found love of designing. As a designer, I love creating a mix of vintage and traditional, from paper scraps to metal finds…. an eclectic mix of these trinkets makes the pages so unique and beautiful. But most of all, it is incredibly surreal that people use my designs to help capture their most treasured memories. What a great honor to have my designs used for such special moments and occasions.

What got you started in designing?
I started digital scrapbooking in 2007 after a trip to Walt Disney World. I found amazing digi designs in the digital scrapbooking industry and was hooked. After a year of doing digi, I noticed I had specific photos that kept piling up because I was waiting for that “perfect” kit. So… I decided to try my hand at designing papers and elements to fit what I was looking for… the rest is history. 🙂

Where do you find your inspiration for designing?
First and foremost… my family. Yup, most of my inspiration comes from all of my family’s photos that are on my hard drive waiting to be scrapped into a cherished memory. When I find certain photos beginning to pile up… I know I MUST create something to scrap these memories. After family, I am also so inspired by COLOR…practically anywhere and everywhere there is color. It could be in a fabric or a pattern on a couch pillow, from my kid’s artwork to a magazine ad or an ad on a box. I find there is so much inspiration everywhere, and sometimes in the most unusual of places.

What do you like most about designing?
The fact I can call playing on my computer all day, in my pj’s… a job. LOL!! But more seriously, I love being able to be home when my kids are home, and be there when they need me.

What your favorite things to design?
I love designing elements. Seriously. I find it hard to stop… I keep going and going. Finding unique elements and ephemera is always the most fun part of the process. Also, another favorite element of mine to create is, journalers. Oh, how I love them! My main reason to scrapbooking is about ‘the story’, so I love providing scrappers with the right tools to help them tell their stories.

How many hours a week do you spend designing? Is designing your full time job?
I am lucky to call digital scrapbooking designing my FT job. I wake up each day with such excitement to design… I don’t ever doubt this is the best job ever!! Designing products makes up about 25% of my time. Doing administrative work, marketing to writing tutorials and articles take up the rest of my time. The amount of hours I work is pretty shocking, but I would have to say I typically “work” about 60+hours a week.

How do you balance your time?
This can be very challenging when you work out of your home. You don’t ‘leave the office’, so to speak.It can become very easy to hop on the computer and start working again. It is something I am trying hard to work on finding that good balance.
But in other way it is SO rewarding. When my kids are home… I’m available. When they have a field trip, I reschedule things and work at night.

What is your favorite kit?
Picking a Favorite Kit is SO hard. I have a connection with each one create.
But if I had to chose… right now, I would say “Grandma’s Dresser by Sahlin Studio”

Who would you love to collaborate with?
I would love to collaborate with either Paislee Press and/or Anna Aspnes. Each of our styles
are pretty different, but I think the combination of styles would equal a true beautiful & electric mix.

What is a piece of advice you have for those that are trying their hand at designing?
1) Design becuase you LOVE it… not to make money.
2) Be sure you have a style that is different from others out in the market, something that is uniquely YOU.

What is a piece of advice you have for scrappers?
1) Scrap for yourself. – Don’t worry about having a gallery worthy page or getting caught up in the trends of what a good looking page is “supposed” to be. Trying scrapbooking with this thought in mind, “What do I like when I’m looking through my scrapbook?” If you love looking at pages with multiple, large photos… then DO it. You will never regret having those pages. But you may someday regret having the ‘trendy’ pages with tiny photos and white space.
2) Back Up, Back Up, Back Up – be sure to set a quarterly date to back up all of your files. You don’t want to learn the hard way.

What is your favorite thing about Disney? What is your favorite ride? Favorite character?
My favorite thing about Disney is all of the special, magical moments that you find there with your loved ones. They tend not to be the BIG things, but the small little things that happen that create the best memories.

My favorite ride at Disney is, “Toy Story Mania” at Hollywood Studios.

My favorite character we met, “Snow White”.
We had such an amazing experience meeting her, and it’s one we’ll never forget.

Check out some Sahlin Studio kits that are perfect for scrapping your Disney memories!