Capturing Disney in Pictures: 9th Day of Christmas at the Contemporary’s Gingerbread Tree

December 9, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Capturing Disney in Pictures: 9th Day of Christmas at the Contemporarys Gingerbread Tree

Contemporary Resort's holiday Gingerbread Tree

Every photo has a story.

Lou Mongello reports in his Walt Disney Trivia Book that the Contemporary Resort was originally referred to the “Tempo Bay Resort Hotel.”  He cites early picture
postcards of the Contemporary with a written description listing the name as
the Tempo Bay Resort Hotel.  Mongello says the word “Tempo” was chosen because the hotel was designed to be a backdrop for the Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland.  Of course the resort opened as the Contemporary Resort, the name most seasoned Walt Disney World visitors are familiar with.

Now is the time to visit the Contemporary’s 4th floor Grand Canyon Concourse
for a glimpse of the holiday decorations.  The Contemporary Gingerbread Tree,
located by the elevators and the Fantasia Gift Shop, is created in the simple
artistic style made famous by Disney Imagineer Mary Blair, the artist
responsible for the iconic 90-foot mural at the Contemporary Resort.  If these
figures look familiar, it’s because Blair is also the artist behind the “It’s a
Small World” attraction at the Magic Kingdom.

Picture this…1050 pounds of honey, 800 pounds of flour, 600 pounds of chocolate, 600 pounds of apricot glaze, and 35 pounds of spices are used to create the tree.  Cast Members spent 1200 hours and three months to make, cut, and bake over 4,900 shingles.  The tree is 6 feet wide and 17 feet tall. There is a small gift shop, open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, where you can purchase butter cookies, ornaments, lollipops, peppermint bark, and gingerbread cookies in assorted shapes and holiday colors.

If you need break from the Magic Kingdom holiday crowds, the Contemporary Resort is just a 10-15 minute walk from the MK entrance gates. You’ll have a great view of Space Mountain and Disney’s Bay Lake Towers on the walk over. The Contemporary Resort is the only Disney Resort building a monorail travels through. So you could enjoy the walk over and hop a Disney monorail for the trip back. Take a gingerbread snack with you, and enjoy the scenery.

 

Thanks for stopping by for a photographical Disney ride!

Do you have any fabulous Disney vacation pictures you’d like to share? Drop by and share your photos on facebook at Mouze Kateerz.  Take a virtual Disney vacation twice a day in photographs. Visit my blog at mouzekateerz.com, or shoot me an email of your favorite Disney location at mouzekateerz@chipandco.com.


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Capturing Disney in Pictures: 8th Day of Christmas Riding the WDW Monorail

December 8, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Capturing Disney in Pictures: 8th Day of Christmas Riding the WDW Monorail

Hop a WDW monorail for magical transportation.

Every photo has a story.

“Por favor mantenganse alejado de las puertas. Ladies and Gentlemen, please collect your belongings and watch your head and step. Please assist small children by the hand.” If you’ve ever ridden on a Disney monorail, this simple exit speech is etched into your Disney memory forever.

Picture this…since the 1971 opening of Walt Disney World, the monorail system has carried more than one billion passengers.  The WDW Resort Monorail System, the most heavily traveled passenger monorail system in the world, carries nearly 150,000 passengers every week day.  Each year, the monorails transports more than 50 million people. If you are looking for a break from the theme park crowds this holiday season, hop a monorail and tour some of the breathtaking resorts along the monorail route.

Your first stop…the Contemporary Resort offers some shopping and a quick lunch at the Contempo Cafe.  As you watch other monorails zip through the building, you’ll definitely want a Black Forrest Cupcake for dessert.  A traditional Contemporary must-see is the floor-to-ceiling ceramic mural, created by artist and Disney legend Mary Blair, whimisically celebrating the beauty of the Grand Canyon and the southwest region.  Need some quiet time to rest your achy feet?  Take an escalator down one floor to the Convention Center area, where there are usually some fluffy couches available, and the bathrooms here are super clean, quiet, and roomy.

Next stop…the Polynesian Resort, where you’ll enter a South Pacific themed tropical paradise. Walk down to the lower level and gaze at the 70 species of plants found around the waterfall.  Take a seat, so close you are within reaching distance of the flora, and feel your vacation tensions melt away to the sound of the peaceful falling waters.  If you need a quick bite to eat, try Captain Cook’s or the Tambo Lounge. If you are here near nightfall, ask about the Polynesian Resort‘s torch-lighting ceremony, which includes a traditional fire-knife dance together with authentic drumming and chants.

Last stop… is the magnificent Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. Labeled as the flagship hotel of the Walt Disney World Resorts, just standing in the five-story lobby is a journey into opulence and splendor.  There are six restaurants to choose from and shopping at Basin White or M. Mouse Mercantile. Pull up a chair and listen to the frequent musical entertainment, which ranges from a pianist seated at a grand piano to a Disney big band.  Because this holiday decoration will be gone after New Years, make a trip over to the Victorian era-style Grand Floridian gingerbread house before you make your way back upstairs for the monorail ride to the Magic Kingdom.

A modernistic transportation system to journey you to the Future, the South Seas, and the Victorian Era…all in a Disney holiday’s time.

Thanks for stopping by for a photographical Disney ride!

Do you have any fabulous Disney vacation pictures you’d like to share?  Drop by and share your photos on facebook at Mouze Kateerz. Take a virtual Disney vacation twice a day in photographs. Visit my blog at mouzekateerz.com, or shoot me an email of your favorite Disney location at mouzekateerz@chipandco.com.


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Capturing Disney in Pictures: 3rd Day of Christmas at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

December 3, 2011 by Leave a Comment

 

Capturing Disney in Pictures: 3rd Day of Christmas at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

Gingerbread House at the Grand Floridian

 

Every photo has a story.

With theme park crowds at some of their highest levels during the Christmas Season, you may need a break from the long lines.  Hop a monorail and head over to the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa for some holiday shopping in a fabulous resort themed in the style of America’s palace hotels.  As you walk into the lobby from the monorail platform, you’ll feel as if you have entered an archetectural era of days gone by.  Inspired by the Brown Palace Hotel in Denver, Colorado, the five story lobby will take your breath away.

The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa decorates each holiday season with a can’t miss Victorian era inspired gingerbread house.  Grab your camera and head to the right side of the lobby, where you’ll find a staircase frequently used for bridal portraits for weddings held at the resort.  Snap your own photo here on the stairs, followed by a shot next to their astounding Christmas tree, and then make your way across the lobby to the gingerbread house taken straight from every child’s Christmas morning fantasy.

Picture this…the GF Gingerbread House is whipped up every year from scratch using 800 pounds of flour, 600 pounds of powdered sugar, 1,050 pounds of honey, and 180 pounds of apricot glaze.  It takes about 400 hours to bake everything, and by everything, I mean the upwards of 10,000 pieces it takes to complete the mouth-watering 16-foot-tall piece of culinary architecture.

Want to learn some neat tips for creating your own holiday gingerbread masterpiece?

Grand Floridian Gingerbread House decorating demos are held Monday through Saturday right out in front of the Victorian Gingerbread House.  You’ll need to bring your Disney Rewards Visa, because with all these sweet-treat options, you probably won’t walk away empty handed.  There’s usually a classical pianist or a big band performing all your favorite Disney tunes in the lobby.  Rest those feet for a while – enjoy your snack.

When you’ve had your fill of gingerbread, walk back upstairs to the monorail level and spend some time in Basin White.  Basin White has a very simplistic décor that focuses all your attention on their specialty line of luxury bath and body care.  With an amazing selection of bath bombs, salts, scrubs, and perfumes, they have a wide range of specialty soaps that you must smell to believe.  You can preview some of their holiday soap bars right here.  You’ll not soon forget the clean smells and the colorful soaps.  Basin White is a great place to wash your hands with their sugar and salt scrubs before you resume your journey back to the Magic Kingdom.  Don’t be surprised if you take some home for the holidays.

Gingerbread for the tummy and fabulous bath products for the body…what a excellent holiday combination.

Thanks for stopping by for a photographical Disney ride!

 

Do you have any fabulous Disney vacation pictures you’d like to share? Drop by and share your photos on facebook at Mouze Kateerz. Take a virtual Disney vacation twice a day in photographs. Or shoot me an email of your favorite Disney location at mouzekateerz@chipandco.com.

 


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Stitch gets his own Gingerbread House at Walt Disney World Resort

November 26, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Stitch gets his own Gingerbread House at Walt Disney World Resort

There’s no place like Walt Disney World Resort for sugar fans during the winter holidays, with six spots for ogling amazing gingerbread creations: Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s BoardWalk Resort and the Liberty Inn at American Adventure at Epcot.

Stitch gets his own Gingerbread House at Walt Disney World Resort

Joining this year’s line-up is a fantabulous new creation in the lobby of Disney’s BoardWalk Resort. The gingerbread and chocolate gazebo is back but now you can also see Stitch’s Bakery Store Front, a miniature replica of the BoardWalk Bakery that Stitch has taken over (Lilo’s there too) – 14 feet tall and 10 feet wide. Disney cast members will be inside the creation decorating gingerbread houses.

Stitch gets his own Gingerbread House at Walt Disney World Resort

To satisfy your sweet tooth, you can purchase mini gingerbread houses, stolen bread and gingerbread “shingles” (cookies).

Stitch gets his own Gingerbread House at Walt Disney World Resort

Disney Pin collectors can head to Dundy’s Sundries on the BoardWalk for the limited edition pin that features Stitch and the gingerbread display.

What’s your favorite gingerbread creation?

Source Disney Parks Blog

Stitch gets his own Gingerbread House at Walt Disney World Resort

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Stitch gets his own Gingerbread House at Walt Disney World Resort

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D23 Members are invited to an exclusive event December 3 at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen in Downtown Disney Anaheim

October 30, 2011 by Leave a Comment

D23 Members are invited to an exclusive event December 3 at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen in Downtown Disney Anaheim

Members of Disney’s official fan club are invited to partake once again in a sweet holiday tradition. Kids of all ages are invited to partake in this festive and fun tradition of building and decorating gingerbread houses at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen in the Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort with Jazz Kitchen Executive Chef Darrin Finkel. December 3, 2011 is a day reserved just for D23 Members! Plus, D23 Members can receive extra savings and special treats.

The workshop kicks off with each participant receiving a chef hat and being named “chef for the day.” Next, Chef Darrin Finkel leads an interactive demonstration on the proper assembly of gingerbread houses. Then, the good stuff! You can decorate your gingerbread house with several handfuls of holiday candy personally procured by Santa’s elves. Finally, in the spirit of the season and in recognition of the participants’ hard work, Santa will pay a surprise visit and hand out commemorative gifts to all attendees.

And don’t forget, D23 Member’s always receive 10% off their meals at the Jazz Kitchen and all Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group venues, just by showing their D23 Membership card! Click here for more information (Discount does not apply to registration for this event.)

What: Holiday Gingerbread House Building Workshop

Who: Kids of all ages! (An adult must accompany children under 12)

When: Saturday, December 3, 2011, 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Price: Exclusive price is $43.00 per Gingerbread Kit and 2 seats (+tax)—a savings of $5.00! (Price includes gingerbread house and candy, chef hats, unlimited sodas, and two seats.) Additional seats can be purchased for only $10.00 (+tax)

Exclusive for D23 Members only and available only on December 3:
1.    
10% off all food orders
2.    
Jingle bell
3.    
Special goodie from your friends at D23
4.    
Date exclusive to D23 Members only

Additional opportunities:
1.    
D23 Members may also reserve two houses and four seats for $80.00 (+tax)
2.    
Additional seats may be purchased for $10.00 per seat

Tickets: D23 Members may begin making reservations starting Wednesday, November 2, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. Reservations must be made through the Sales Office, Monday—Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 714-776-5200 through Bruno Duarte.

***Advance Payment by credit card required for reservation confirmation***
***Refunds given only with a 72 hour notice from date selected***
***Valid D23 Membership number required when making reservation***
***Phone lines will be busy, please remain on hold***

NOTE: Available only to D23 Members in good standing. Valid D23 Member number required during time of reservation. Above date not valid to AP holders. Space is limited. For entry, members must present a valid photo ID AND D23 MEMBERSHIP CARD. D23 Members who do not bring their membership card may not be admitted to the event. All D23 Special Events are subject to change without notice. Jazz Kitchen will not be responsible for the assembly, holding or transporting of Gingerbread houses.

Source

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D23 Members are invited to an exclusive event December 3 at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen in Downtown Disney Anaheim

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