April 19, 2020

Disney Memories  :O)

I’m all Disney smiles while wearing my snazzy Dole Whip cap, retro
Rick Springfield shirt, and a pair of colorful Mickey fanny packs (Yes, I really do need two fanny packs!) on my last visit to Walt Disney World.  :o)
April 2019

I had planned to be at Walt Disney World today! You see, my family and I love Disney, and we had planned a long weekend together at Walt Disney World, sort of a family reunion in mouse ears. :o) (Three in our group had even planned to run races in the
Star Wars Rival Weekend.)

For me, in addition to seeing my family members, it was to be a weekend filled with some of my personal favorites…

It’s a Small World,
That happy song will replay in my head for days! :o)

Peter Pan’s Flight,
My youngest, as a tyke, once dropped his special blankey on top of “London”, on this ride!

Jungle Cruise
I love the wonderfully corny jokes, and leisurely boat trip!

Carousel of Progress,
I first saw this ride along with It’s a Small World, and Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York.

Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room,
I remember the sense of wonder that I felt upon first seeing this exhibit at Disneyland in 1968.

Pirates of the Caribbean, and The Haunted Mansion,
Family favorites!

Under the Sea Journey of the Little Mermaid,
Not just for the kiddies.

Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros,
A fun and peppy boat ride along with Donald Duck.

Muppet Vision 3D
Who doesn’t like the Muppets?!

Kilimanjaro Safari Trek,
I love seeing all of the animals, especially the giraffes!

Dole whips,
Yum!

Mickey Bars,
Yum!

Rick Springfield…
Yum!  Uhm, I mean, he sings really well! :o)

But alas, it was not to be…

Click on any of the rides listed above, to be taken to a virtual video  of that ride!
Caution, I have not screened all of these videos in their entirety.

 Disney Photos Through the Years

So, in lieu of actually being at Walt Disney World in person this long weekend, I would like to invite you to take a sweet nostalgic photo journey with me on some (but not all) of my family’s past Disney travels.

Walt Disney World with my sister and mother.
(I am in the center.)
February 1972 (?)
(WDW opened in October of 1971)

Walt Disney World with my sister and mother.
(I am on the right.)
March 1977 (?)

A ride from Walt Disney World‘s past,
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage
May 1979
(This ride closed in 1994.)

My hubby and me at Walt Disney World, near the castle.
It was so crowded in Magic Kingdom that day after Christmas that they closed the gates to no more admissions (for that day) at the park.
(At that time Magic Kingdom was the only Disney theme park at WDW.)
December 1980

A three year-old “right of passage” for our (four) offspring meant a trip to
Walt Disney World.  Here, our eldest enjoys a ride on Cinderella’s Carrousel 
with me, holding our second eldest, along for the ride.
(Did you know that this merry-go-round was build in 1917?)
1987

Our newest three year-old (in 1990) peers over Dumbo at Disneyland.
1990

(Top photo) The candles at the entrance of Magic Kingdom to celebrate the park’s 20-year birthday.
(Bottom photo) Our eldest watches the mesmerizing Main Street Electric Parade.
 Sadly, this parade ended in 2016.
May 1992

Our three oldest taking a break at Walt Disney World, during our daughter’s three year-old visit.
1993

Walt Disney World‘s  Birthday Cake- Cinderella Castle, in celebration of the park’s 25th anniversary, was vision of pink in 1996.
1996

Our youngest enjoys a chat with Cinderella (and his sister) in honor of his third birthday.
1997

It was a fun-filled Spring Break trip to Walt Disney World in 2001.
Among the fun, we had breakfast with Chef Mickey at the Contemporary, and participated in a couple of shows at Hollywood Studios!
April 2001

In March 2008, our family proudly watched our daughter march with her high school marching band at Walt Disney World.
March 20, 2008

Two of our sons relax at Epcot, as we visit our daughter
during her 9-month Disney College Program.
July 23, 2010

Our young grandson is delightfully amazed to see Donald Duck in person while visiting Epcot. :o)
May 13, 2011

My favorite place to stay at Walt Disney World is the Polynesian, like we did in 2012!
(Top photo) The lobby of the Polynesian Hotel
(Middle photo) A tiki watches over the Polynesian gift shop.
(Bottom photo) My hubby and I are headed to the luau/Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show at the Polynesian.
July 2012

 A trip to Disneyland Paris was amazing.
January 7, 2013

(Top photo) My daughter enjoys a refreshing Dole Whip at Walt Disney World.
(Bottom photo) Our grand son enjoys his breakfast at WDW with my hubby.
March 2013

Read about this Disney trip, here.

The highlight of this trip was a one-night stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge.
What a view!
June 26, 2014

Read about this Disney trip, here.

(Top photo) Magic Kingdom was all decked out for Halloween in October 2014.
(Bottom photo) So proud of our runner daughter, who ran her very first Walt Disney World race here, as Mouseketeer, Annette Funicello.
October 2014

Read about this Disney trip, here.

It was a “girls’ weekend” for my daughter and me at Disneyland and Disney Studios.
February 7, 2015

Read about this Disney trip, here.

Celebrating my daughter’s (to the left of Cinderella) birthday with my daughter, her husband, and her friend, at Cinderella’s Castle/Royal Table.
November 5, 2015

Read about this Disney trip, here.

It was a special trip to Walt Disney Studios and Disneyland in 2016.
March 5, 2016

Read about this Disney trip, here.

Less than a week before our April 2016 Walt Disney World trip,
I was ordered by my doctor into a boot (due to a bone/foot issue).
(His exact words when I mentioned my upcoming Disney trip, “Get a scooter!”)

Maneuvering WDW in a scooter made things interesting!
(Bottom photo) The location of our hotel room at Coronado Springs was pretty, though.
April 2016

I loved celebrating Disney’s Not So Very Scary Halloween Party with my daughter and these seven guys.
September 30, 2016

Read about this Disney trip, here and here.

Admiring the colorful flowers at Epcot.
April 20, 2017

Read about this Disney trip, here and here.

(Top photo) My husband ran his first half-marathon along with a couple of running pros ( my daughter and her friend).
(Middle photo) My grand daughter chats with Mickey Mouse at The Garden Grill at Epcot.
(Bottom photo) Epcot in the evening.
January 2019

Read about this Disney trip, here.

(Top photo) I realized my childhood dream of riding in a “floating car”!
(Bottom photo) Rick Springfield put on a fantastically fun concert in Epcot!
April 2, 2019

Read about this Disney trip, here.

50’s Prime Time Cafe

While perusing my prized collection of Disney cookbooks, I recently came across a simple recipe for S’mores from Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ nostalgic 50’s Prime Time Cafe. The decor of this cute themed-restaurant is a wonderful step back in time, steeped in vintage (sometime kitschy) treasures, while classic TV clips play on old television sets scattered throughout the cafe. Heaping plates of “home cooking” are served by apron clad wait staff, often served with a little motherly advice on the side.

The decor is a wonderful step back in time.
The “cookie decorated” cookie jar in the foreground caught my eye. 
As a child, a cookie jar just like this sat on our family’s kitchen counter!  

 Thanks to my mom, I am now the proud owner of our family’s 1950’s
Napco “Cookies All Over” Cookie Jar!  :o)

Old television sets are scattered throughout the restaurant, playing classic TV clips.

Heaping plates of”home cooking”are served by apron clad wait staff, like
Brenda, in this photo.
April 2001

A Simple Disney Recipe

Preparing this recipe was fairly simple. (I did make a couple minor changes in the recipe for clarity.)  I used items that I already had in my pantry, substituting mini- marshmallows for the the large marshmallows, and chocolate chips for the standard chocolate bar.

These S’mores are done in the oven, and although, this Disney variety are prettier, I decided after having these, that I prefer the campfire variety.

I used items that I already had in my pantry, substituting mini-marshmallows for the the large marshmallows, and chocolate chips for the standard chocolate bar.

These S’mores are done in the oven, and although, this Disney variety are prettier,
I prefer the campfire variety with graham crackers on the top and bottom,
to cut the sweetness.

Recipe

Disney S’mores

Ingredients

2 whole graham crackers
(4 sections)

1 (1.65 ounce) milk chocolate bar

15 large marshmallows, cut in half

2 Tablespoons chocolate syrup

Directions

Place graham cracker on an over-proof plate.
(I used a foil-lined cookie sheet.)

Top with chocolate bar and heat briefly under broiler, or in hot oven.

Place halved marshmallows over melted chocolate bar.

Warm chocolate 30 seconds in microwave.

Broil marshmallows until golden brown, watching carefully.
Remove from oven.

Drizzle warmed chocolate over marshmallow and serve immediately.

Enjoy!

Annette’s Notes-
I prefer the campfire variety with graham crackers on the top and bottom,
to cut the sweetness.

Made Me Smile :o)

Here are a few items that made me smile this week.
I love sharing these smiles with you. :o)

It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Tom Hanks eat your heart out!
This little guy takes the prize as the most adorable Mister (Fred) Rogers look-alike.
My friend had this photo on his Instagram, and allowed me to share.  So cute!

A Walking Unicorn in the Neighborhood

What do I spy across the street, while on my daily walk?
Why, a unicorn, of course! :o)

An Easter Egg Hunting Puppy

My neighbor posted this video on Facebook, and allowed me to share this piece featuring her cute little pup successfully hunting for Easter eggs
(thanks to training treats hidden inside each egg). :o)

(Backyard) Jungle Cruise

This creative family graciously gave me permission to share their fun and funny
“Backyard Jungle Cruise” ride video. (They have those punny jokes down pat!)
Some of their props are authentic, originating from Disneyland!
I want to go on THIS Jungle Cruise, now!

A New Cookbook

Pre-ordered back in December, it was a fun treat when
The Goldbergs Cookbook showed up at my door this week.
I may just have to try out the Shrimp Parm, or the Mac and Cheese Meatballs!
Anyone else enjoy watching this wacky family on Wednesday nights?

Find a Disney Recipe

Now You’re Cooking with Disney Parks is a new feature offered
on the”My Disney Experience” app.

Previous Disney Blog Posts

Disney Food and Wine Festival (Eating Around Walt Disney World…)–Here

Disney World Family Reunion (Annette’s Big Family Vacation Scrapbook…)-Here

Disney World Recipe (Walt Disney World Really Cooks)–Here

Don’t Pinch Me I’m Wearing Green Underwear-here.

(Discovering New Fun At Walt Disney World, (Part 1) –Here ,  

(Discovering New Fun At Walt Disney World, (Part 2)-Here

October!-Here

(Dole whip Mama…)-Here

Rick Springfield and Floating Cars:  Another Glorious Visit to Walt Disney World, Here.

A Sticky Taste of Walt Disney World, Here.

 

 And Check out My Disneyland and Disney Studios Posts!

Disneyland (A New Stove and Disney Peanut Butter Cookies)–Here

Disney Studios(My Birthday with Disney)–Here

Disneyland and Disney Studios (A Girl’s Disney Weekend)–Here

Growing up in Disneyland:  A Conversation with Author Ron DeFore, here.

 

Looking for something upbeat to read?

I have been blogging for seven years, and have over 150 positive posts available to read!
Check them out in the archives section on the right-hand side of I’m Annette, here.

Stay in, stay safe and keep washing those hands!

Information on this Mickey soap dispenser is, here.

Thank you for reading!
May your days be blessed, and your taste buds happy!

Happy Disney Dreams,

I’m Annette Stuff

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Be good at something, it makes you valuable.
Have something to bring to the table,
because that will make you more welcome.
Randy Pausch

Photo taken by the tea cups in Magic Kingdom, July 2010

Randy Pausch co-authored the inspiring book, The Last Lecture, with Jeffrey Zaslow.
 The Last Lecture was published in 2008 by Hyperion Books,
which Disney owned at the time.