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Solving the Mystery of the Disney World Turkey Leg

Published November 1, 2013 by Disneyways.com

Disney World turkey legs…are they really made of turkey?

What gives them that unique taste?

Do we really want to know?

turkeyleg

Next to Dole Whips, School Bread, and Mickey Bars – the Turkey Leg has trotted it’s way into the lineup of iconic Disney foods. Please join me this month as we explore the subject of the Disney Turkey Leg (and more!) in the November edition of the Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free at Walt Disney World newsletter!

Special thanks to Sarah Norris for allowing me to guest post. I am thrilled to be a part.

Just click on the photo below to get all the turkey talk and remember – if you are doing Disney on a special diet –

do not miss the Gluten and Dairy Free at Walt Disney World site!

Have a magical day!

PicMonkey Collage

 

Review! Illuminations Special Diets Dessert Party 2013

Published October 31, 2013 by Disneyways.com

You heard us talk about it all year, and the day finally came for the annual Special Diets Dessert Party in 2013!

Click HERE to read the review that I did for WDW News Today. Keep watching DisneyWays and GFDF at Walt Disney World for news on when the next event will be coming!

dessert party

 

 

 

Video: Your Questions Answered – The Reimagined Disney Magic Cruise Ship

Published October 29, 2013 by Disneyways.com

I asked some friends to send me their questions about anything they wanted to know about the newly reimagined Disney Magic, and these wonderful folks really delivered! Thank you all so much for these awesome and fun questions – I hope my answers are worthy!

My husband and I were very fortunate to spend 2 wonderful nights on the beautiful Disney Magic. It was our first ever Disney cruise – and cost us way too much money – but we really enjoyed it!

hairstyles

This is my first time making a video like this. I am a total nerd – nervous – and the video itself is of pretty poor quality. I apologize for all of that, but I hope you find the information helpful. I found out the hard way that YouTube only gives you the ability to load 15 minutes of video – so I had to separate mine into one 7 minute segment and one 8 minute segment.

Thanks for tuning in and muddling through all of this with me as I embark on this new method of sharing the Disney magic with you! Please send me your thoughts and feedback. I would love to hear from you!

Have a magical day!

Video! “Glow with the Show” Mouse Ears Debut at Fantasmic!

Published October 16, 2013 by Disneyways.com

Last night was the very first official night that guests were able to try the “Glow with the Show” Mouse Ears on Disney World property. “Glow with the Show” Mouse Ears illuminate in sync with the show! It is really a gorgeous and amazing thing to see – so instead of trying to explain it – here is an AWESOME video from the event. Video credit goes to the fantastic BigFatPanda.com

It was perfect timing because the Fantasmic show at Hollywood Stuios also celebrated it’s 15th anniversary – so debuting these ears was s a GREAT way to do it with a bang! The hats cost $25.00 including tax. They are improved over the California version but to me they were still pretty heavy and the strap was not super comfortable. This is just my opinion though. My reccomendation is if you know someone that has some – try them out before buying to see what you think! Soon the hats will debut at Magic Kingdom for the Wishes fireworks show – and during Celebrat the Magic – our castle projection show.  I can’t wait to see how guests will embrace this technology here in Florida as time goes on.

What do you think? Will you be buying a pair of these ears and giving them a try?

Cheshire Cafe Gourmet Cake Cups ~ Written by Guest Author Dawn Mathis Losch

Published October 15, 2013 by Disneyways.com

Cheshire Cafe Gourmet Cake Cups ~ Written by Guest Author Dawn Mathis Losch

**Update from Krista October 28, 2013: This treat is no longer being offered in the Magic Kingdom at this time. We hope they will bring it back one day!***

I just got back from one of my monthly trips to Disney, where I had to try the new Gourmet cupcake at the Cheshire cafe in Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland.

The Cheshire cafe used to be the Enchanted Grove.  It has been updated with lots of pretty vines, and a pink striped smiling Cheshire cat on the sign. They sell cereals, muffins, fruit, slushies, and coffee now as well.

As soon as I saw the news about a new item being offered, I could not wait to try it. I am not a chocolate fan,so vanilla was the way to go.

The gourmet cupcakes are offered in a Chocolate coffee-ish flavor called Mad Hatter mocha, and Cheshire cupcake cake cup, which was vanilla.

It is a parfait looking dessert with layers of vanilla frosting, (lots of it), and vanilla cake. It is topped full of fun colored sprinkles.

You will definitely want to have your sweet tooth ready, because this is sure to kick it into overdrive.

I think the funnest thing about this dessert was the picture decoration on top.  It was totally edible, and it was neat to be eating a sugar picture.

Both the cupcake cups were reasonably priced at 4.19. I shared mine with my husband and daughter.

cupcake

Dawn Mathis Losch lives in New Port Richey Florida with her family. She is also a regular contributor to Addicted to Mickey, a community page about Disney.

How to Look Like Minnie in a Minute

Published October 5, 2013 by Jay

“Hey, I’m a girl and we like to play dress-up.” – Charlize Theron

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My desire to play dress-up started when I was little. I would raid my mother’s clothes, my grandmother’s costume jewelry, my aunt’s shoe collection, and I would mash together some pretty unique outfits. Sometimes I jammed my brother into said outfits and make him parade around with me. As I grew a little older, I wanted to look like certain characters and people, especially when my family went to themed places. I didn’t go to Disney for the first time until I was in middle school and I’m pretty sure I still tried to dress the part – bedazzled Disney shirts, princess-y skirts and jewelry, you get the idea. The thing is, it’s pretty difficult to wear full Disney costume as an adult (unless you work there. I’m jealous of you if you’re a Princess) at the park and have it work.

This is not nearly as cute when you're an adult.

This dress doesn’t work quite as well on adults  😦

Why should kids have all the fun though? Can’t us big kids dress up too? I think the trick is finding outfits and makeup that show your love of a character (or characters) but that don’t look like they belong on a five-year old. I picked a classic Disney character for my inspriration today – Minnie! She’s cute, fun, and iconic Disney.

Courtesy of Disney Coloring

Courtesy of Disney Coloring

First up – outfits! The parks can get pretty hot and involve a lot of walking, so I wanted to choose comfortable outfits that are both cute and functional. For my first Minnie outfit, I went a little retro-teenage with a longer crop top and shorts that you could style as high-waisted or longer legged, depending on the size/fit you buy. A small cross-body or shoulder bag holds essentials without weighing you down or getting in your way.

Minnie Polyvore

What if you want a more grown-up but classic Minnie? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered – and this one includes some accessories!

Minnie2You could also throw in some more pops of red and yellow to get more Minnie color. I decided to stay a little basic with colors because I would rock the second outfit with the makeup look below. You want your makeup to last through a hot and humid park day, and not to spend a lot of time putting it together. I used my fingers to blend foundation across my face and set it with a light dusting of bronzer. I brushed a little shimmering blush onto the apples of my cheeks and swiped a shimmery golden primer across my lids. I put on some waterproof mascara and used a hybrid lipstick/stain for bright color with lasting power. I love hot pink, but I think red would be perfect for a Minnie outfit too. Five minutes and done! Next, I pulled my hair up because long hair can get hot and tangled after hours of sun and rides. Voila! Disney makeup to last the day in ten minutes. Easy peasy.

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Mine is a little messy. Don't judge.

Mine is a little messy. Don’t judge.

I used these tried and true products to get my look –

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I hope you feel inspired to try a fun character-inspired look the next time you’re in the parks! Remember, dressing up in character-inspired looks and channeling your inner Disney isn’t just for the kids – grown-ups can share in the fun too.  🙂

Courtesy of carerunners.com

Courtesy of carerunners.com

(A note from Krista: Today’s post is brought to you by the fabulous Jay over at WayfaringBeauty.com! Perhaps you remember Jay from her previous makeup related guest posts here on Disneyways, including how to wear a makeup look that lasts while you are at Disney! Thank you Jay for another wonderful contribution, you are amazing and I appreciate you SO much!)

The Disney, The Dreamers, and Me

Published September 27, 2013 by Disneyways.com

It seemed like we talked about it for a year – but the date of the Disney Dreamer facebook group meetup (2013) finally arrived. It was a HOT September day…I had a crazy morning before I left the house…and some plans with my family that evening. I was very thankful to be able to work it out so that I could still visit with the Disney Dreamers that afternoon as planned!

This video has some crazy music that will begin as soon as you hit play. I am new at the whole video thing so please don’t judge!! 🙂

Lots of ladies and a few gentlemen showed up for the occasion. What a wonderful treat to see some of these girls from the group who I have known since the early days of the blog. Samantha, and Tamara  who have even been guest authors, and sweet Krista…my partner on the Princess facebook page! (Sorry I can’t name everyone, but you guys know who you are! ;))

In addition – there were about a couple of dozen new friends there – including Aunesty (of TemporaryTourist fame!), and I always enjoy hanging out with the local Disney Dreamers too!

Kristas

My worst and only “problem” that afternoon was wondering if we would all get soaked riding those new boats that Disney had placed in the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction…(I think the majority of us stayed pretty dry by the way.)

Aren’t Disney meetups just the greatest?! Have you enjoyed some magical gatherings at the parks? What are some of your memories of those times? Please leave them in the comments section below!

Related articles

Reasons to Stop in a Disney Lounge Even if you Don’t Drink

Published August 26, 2013 by Disneyways.com

bar

I DO however, enjoy a great Disney lounge! There are many reasons to stop in and check out a Disney bar – in some cases – even when you have the kids with you! Check out my latest post over at Chip & Co. to learn more!

Click HERE to learn why you should still stop by a Disney Lounge – Even if you Don’t Drink!

If you love Disney AND Makeup – don’t leave for Orlando until you read this!

Published August 21, 2013 by Jay

ariel

“I don’t know about you but I love makeup  – and I love it even more when it lasts! This is especially true for the makeup I take with me on vacation. I understand that many people don’t think that makeup is a good use of vacation time and I totally agree; vacation time is for family, fun, and relaxation! However, I still believe in looking good while you’re away (I have some vacation pictures from before I felt this way and I cringe now over what a bum I looked like). With that in mind, I’m here today with some tips on park makeup that will pack a punch, last the day, and make you look like a princess!” -Jay

(A note from Krista: Today’s post is brought to you by the fabulous Jay over at WayfaringBeauty.com! Perhaps you remember Jay from her previous makeup related guest posts here on Disneyways, specifically her Oz Theadora and Glinda palette reviews. Jay has outdone herself today by bringing us these 4 quick makeup tips for your next trip to Disney! Take it away Jay…)

Disney Beauty with Jay – Makeup to Last the Day!

1. Pack for a Plane

Whether you’re driving, biking or flying, the best way to pack your makeup is as if you’re flying and taking only a carry-on bag. I always keep my makeup in my carry-on bag when I fly in case of lost/delayed luggage or in case a flight is really delayed and I need a touch up. This means that my makeup has to be small and fit in small, clear ZipLock bag. You can purchase travel-sized brushes and smaller versions of your favorite makeup at many beauty retailers if your products are too big.

Think small when it comes to packing!

Think small when it comes to packing!

Why bother packing that way even if you’re driving? It keeps you from packing every piece of makeup under the sun. The small bag forces you to pick and choose your makeup wisely and only take the things that you’re sure you’ll use, like the basics. Do you really need ten different eye shadows? No. Are five lipsticks and three glosses really necessary? Probably not. Packing less also means you spend less time deliberating over makeup choices in the morning, which leads to…

2. Time is of the Essence

You’re on vacation – don’t spend it in the bathroom getting ready! This time is valuable and you want to be spending it running around the parks and with your kids (if you have them). You will be also taking a lot of pictures though, so you should be at least a little put together. The good news is, you can have beautiful, simple makeup that lasts the day in ten minutes or less.

3. Double-Duty Beauty

Choose products that do it all (or at least have a lot going for them). For example, I love taking Missha M. Perfect Cover B.B Cream with me on vacation in lieu of foundation. The B.B Cream can be quickly applied with fingers, which means one less brush I need, and gives great coverage for a B.B cream. It has anti-aging ingredients in it, gives my skin a light glow, and has great lasting power. The best thing about it? Missha’s B.B creams contain SPF 42, which means you don’t have to worry about your facial skin while out in the sun all day.

Travel-friendly sizes

Travel-friendly sizes

4. Products that Last

While out in Disney, you don’t want to be touching up your makeup all day. That’s a pain and you should be focused on fun, not whether your makeup is slowing melting off your face because of the heat! Choose products like Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick that won’t budge so that you can apply in the morning and then forget about your makeup until you choose to think about it.

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If you prefer to have natural lips, choose a chapstick that has good lasting power and SPF.

Don’t forget, you’re at Disney to have fun! You shouldn’t have to think about your makeup or worry about how you’ll look in photos later. If you choose the right makeup, the only things you may need for a day in any park are blotting sheets (if you have oily skin) and lip balm.

*Want to see how easy a Disney day of makeup can be? Keep a lookout for a follow-up post, coming soon!

World Secrets – Zebra Domes! Are They Made of Zebras?

Published July 20, 2013 by Disneyways.com

Maybe you’ve heard of the iconic Dole Whip or maybe even the lesser known

School Bread?

The Disney parks aren’t the only place you can find iconic food items. Inside the fabulous Animal Kingdom Lodge you can find Zebra Domes – a culinary hidden gem – and possibly one of the best kept World Secrets at Disney! Some guests love Zebra Domes, and some don’t. I am one who adores these little striped treasures –  so get ready for a completely biased Zebra Dome blog post!

Despite what the name suggests, they do NOT contain bits of real zebra.

They get their name due to their striped appearance.

Zebra Dome

The main ingredients are actually espresso, heavy cream, and Kahlua. I am not usually a fan of strong coffee flavors and I don’t drink coffee at all. Zebra Domes, however, contain just a hint – and it is not over powering. They require refrigeration because they are so soft and smooth. They are not made of ice cream –  but beware –  they will melt in the heat. I tried to bring some home for my husband and they did not survive the 40 minute drive.

Zebra Dome

See the little thin layer of cake on the bottom? Mmmm….

Zebra Domes are always on the buffet menu over at Boma. No time to make a dining reservation? No problem! Just head on over to The Mara – where they are packaged in little clear boxes as a grab and go item! Bite sized pieces of heaven in a little box of 5 for $3.69 or a snack credit?! Yes please. I would like a herd of them…but once I am done they will surely be extinct. 

Can we head over to the Animal Kingdom Lodge right now? 

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So what team are you on? Do you love Zebra Domes or maybe not so much? If you haven’t given them a try yet, now you know the secret!

I hope you will find inspiration to trot over and grab some for yourself…and please let me know what you think!