Say "Hi" Sunday Blog Hop

 Just a quick post to say "Hi" to those of you stopping in on the Say "Hi" Sunday Blog Hop!  I look forward to connecting with all of you and hope you'll take the time to follow me and leave a comment to let me know you were here! I'll do the same for you!  To learn more about my blog, please visit my About Me page! Thanks for stopping in and have a MAGICAL day!

Free Dining Offered to Disney Rewards Visa Cardholders...Opens to Public May 2

 

Halleluja!!! Free Dining is BACK for select dates of the Fall 2011 Season.  For a limited time, guests will receive Free Dining with the purchase of a new (5 Night Minimum) Walt Disney Travel Company Memories Vacation Package.  A Deposit of $200 must be made upon booking and must be secured with a Disney Rewards Visa Card.  The remaining balance must also be paid on the Disney Rewards Visa Card.

From what I understand, this offer is very limited, so if you're a Disney Rewards Visa cardholder, go ahead...BOOK NOW!  If not... Well WHAT are you waiting for???  Head on over to Chase and apply now!  They are offering a $40 statement credit after your first purchase, and you'll be entitled to 0% Financing (with approval) on Disney Travel Company transactions...not to mention other perks:  A private character meet-and-greet at Epcot including a FREE photo print, periodic release of cardholder exclusive Disney Trading Pins, and of course Disney Dream REWARDS Dollars... earn Disney Dollars while you spend ($1 per $100) and receive a redemption card to spend at Disney!  So hurry and book this special offer before it opens to the public to secure your reservation with FREE Dining plus other special perks!

The following images and information are from the Disney Rewards Visa site:

The New Memories Vacation Package includes:

• Walt Disney World^® Theme Park tickets. Enjoy admission to one Theme Park per day, each day of your ticket.
• Stay in a select Walt Disney World^® Resort Hotel.
• A Disney's PhotoPass^® Photo Book to relive your Disney vacation memories! Choose from a variety of layouts and page designs and customize with your favorite photos! This 20-page book is printed on archival paper to preserve it for years to come.

And, for a limited-time with this Memories Vacation Package, enjoy a FREE dining plan for stays most nights 8/28-9/24/11.

• For 5 night/6 day packages at select Disney Value Resorts, get the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan — includes 2 quick-service meals and 2 select snacks per person per night of your package stay, plus one Resort Refillable Drink Mug per person (refillable only at your Disney Resort Hotel).
• For 5 night/6 day packages at select Disney Moderate, Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resorts, get the Disney Dining Plan — includes 1 table-service meal, 1 quick-service meal and 1 select snack per person per night of your package stay.

Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings Royal Wedding Fast Facts

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Brides can get the royal treatment and begin their happily ever after at Walt Disney World Resort, where Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings makes dreams come true and magically transforms women into princesses 365 days a year.

DGTG News Flash: Official Sights from Disney Fairy Tale Weddings Royal Wedding Sleepover

 


ROYAL WEDDING PARTY: Hundreds gathered at Disney's Wedding Pavilion at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. on April 29, 2011, to celebrate the marriage of Kate Middleton and Prince William during a special Royal Wedding viewing party hosted by Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons. (Disney Photographer: Gene Duncan)

A REAL LIFE FAIRY TALE:

 

The newlywed Piastuck couple --Gemma from Pontypool, Wales and Daniel from New York -- joined hundreds at the Royal Wedding viewing party at Walt Disney World Resort on April 29, 2011. The couple tied the knot in true royal fashion last week at Disney's Wedding Pavilion in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Disney Photographer: Gene Duncan)

DISNEY LIVING LAUNCHES MOTHER'S MAY SWEEPSTAKE​S: PRIZES FOR MOMS, KIDS AND THE WHOLE FAMILY OFFERED EVERY DAY IN MAY



On May 1st, Disney Living, the official Facebook page of Disney Consumer Products, will kick off its month-long Mother’s May Sweepstakes to celebrate the special women in our lives.  Every day in May, fans can enter to win Disney’s daily sweepstakes prizes including Disney Store gift cards, beautiful gift baskets, iPhone accessories, fashionable designer handbags and jewelry, and more.  A total value of approximately $3,500 in prizes will be awarded throughout the month of May.

The sweepstakes will feature weekly themed product prizes for mom, the kids and the whole family and will conclude on May 31st with a grand prize of four passes to the Disneyland or Disney World theme parks, a value of approximately $550.

Entering is simple:

1.      To enter, “Like” Disney Living’s page at www.Facebook.com/DisneyLiving
2.      Fans can log-on to Disney Living’s Facebook page each day in May
3.      Click on the “Mother’s May” tab to be directed to the daily sweepstakes form for a chance to win
4.      Winners will be notified by email
5.      Daily entries will be combined for a chance to win the grand prize

Mother’s May Sweepstakes entrants are limited to one entry per day.  Participants must be 18 years of age or older and reside legally in the 50 United States, D.C. or Canada (excluding Quebec).

WHEN: The sweepstakes begins May 1, 2011 at 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time and ends May 31, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.

WHERE: Find the links to the daily sweepstakes entry forms and official rules at www.Facebook.com/DisneyLiving

Wordless Wednesday: Timon and Pumba...The REAL Deal?

Hakuna Matata Folks! Whenever I'm feeling down, I just take a look at this and realize ANYTHING'S possible!

Have a MAGICAL Day!

Photo found in Google Images



New Clips from Disney Motion Pictures "PROM"

Disney's Prom hits theaters April 29th and I have 2 new clips to share with you!

At “Prom,” every couple has a story and no two are exactly alike. Several intersecting stories unfold at one high school as the big dance approaches; “Prom” portrays the precarious passage from high school to independence as some relationships unravel and others ignite.  For Nova Prescott (Aimee Teegarden), it’s a battle of wills as she finds herself drawn to the guy (Thomas McDonell) who gets in the way of her perfect prom. Fellow seniors Mei (Yin Chang) and Tyler (De’Vaughn Nixon) harbor secrets, while others face all the insecurity and anticipation that surrounds one of high school’s most seminal events. There are hundreds of nights in high school, but there’s only one “Prom.” Featuring an emerging ensemble cast and a powerful soundtrack, “Prom” hits theaters April 29, 2011.

Click READ MORE below to view clips 

DGTG Splurge: New Specialty Rooms Give Guests the Royal Treatment

I am SO excited to share this new development with you! (via Disney Parks Blog.)  I will dig for more info on these luscious rooms and promise to post as SOON as I find it!

Photo Courtesy Disney Parks Blog

Beginning this fall, guests looking for some rest and relaxation can indulge in new health and wellness suites, which will debut at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. These suites will feature bamboo flooring, 100-percent cotton linens, non-allergenic wrapped mattresses – as well as great views of Magic Kingdom Park and Bay Lake. Bathrooms on this floor also will be equipped with rainwater showers and tea tree oils.

I am happy to announce the winner of DGTG's Magical Memories Autograph Mat:

Amanda Bosque

Thanks to Random.org for selecting a winner!  Thanks also to all who entered!

Please stay tuned to Disney Go To Girl, your "GO TO" source for fabulous giveaways!

 LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., April 21, 2011 – Cheap perfume and lions may not seem a likely match. But at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the scent of the wild can be found in hundreds of perfume bottles being recycled by Disney cast members as part of their Earth Day activities.

100 Acre Easter Fun: Winnie the Pooh hits Theaters July 15th

Celebrate Easter in 100 Acre Style with these adorable egg design ideas inspired by Winnie the Pooh and friends.  (Ideas and images courtesy of Walt Disney Motion Pictures Studios)

Winnie the Pooh returns to theaters July 15.

'Read More' to view Easter Egg instructions

DGTG News Flash: Disney-Pixar's 'Cars 2' Stars Line up for Checkered-Flag Finish / Pixar's 25th Anniversary Weekend

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The 18th Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is revving up for a dash to the finish line with Pixar's 25th Anniversary Weekend celebrating "Cars 2." The May 13-15, 2011 event at Walt  Disney World Resort will bring this year's flowerfest to a checkered-flag conclusion with:

O' Canada: Le Cellier Pictorial Review





Le Cellier:

• Dining Type- Lunch: Table Service / Dinner: Signature
• Location- Epcot's Canada Pavilion
• Hours- Lunch: 11:30-3 / Dinner: 3-CLOSE
• Dining Plan- Accepted: Lunch-1 Credit / Dinner- 2 Credits

Full Menu Here

Back in March, my family had the opportunity to dine at Le Cellier for lunch.  Le Cellier is located in the Canada Pavilion of Disney's Epcot Theme Park and is open daily for lunch and dinner.

Le Cellier is one of the most sought after reservations in all of Walt Disney World, so I was excited to snag a reservation just a month or so in advance.  Le Cellier has always been one of my family's favorite restaurants, partly because we are Canadian and it feels like "going home."

The landscape surrounding Le Cellier is beautiful and in March, the flowers were in full bloom and breathtakingly beautiful!  It is not uncommon to have to wait a few minutes beyond your reservation time to be seated at Le Cellier, due to its popularity.  This is fine at Le Cellier because the Canada Pavilion KidCot activity center is just steps away and we were able to kill time while Bella created a Duffy Bear Craft while still being close enough to hear our name called.

After waiting only 10 minutes, our name was called and we were seated in the dark, but ambient "Cellar."  I relaxed very quickly with a glass of delicious White Wine Sangria and my mom was stoked to find availability of one of her favorite "Canadian" cocktails, a Bloody Caesar.

Since we had purchased to Deluxe Disney Dining Plan, we were entitled to an appetizer, entree, and dessert, as well as non-alcoholic beverages.  The menu at Le Cellier is authentic and features several traditional Canadian dishes as well as some more modern options with a Canadian "Twist", if you will.  Please note that as of March 1,  2011, Dinner at Le Cellier has been elevated to a Signature Dining Experience and will cost 2 Disney Dining Plan entitlements.  The new dinner menu will change seasonally and an extensive upscale wine list has been added to the offerings.  Cast Members informed me that a lot has changed, from menu, to wine, to dishes, to glassware.

Appetizers:

Spicy Chicken and Chipotle Sausage - with Roasted Corn Polenta and Sweet Onion Jam $9.99

My husband started with the Spicy Chicken and Chipotle Sausage.  My husband is just a "sausage guy" and I think he could eat some form of sausage with every meal!  The dish was served in a warm cast iron pan, which I though was nice.  I am not a big sausage person, myself but I will say that this dish was surprisingly tasty.  The sausage was tender and moist and the sweet onion jam was perfectly tangy.  The portion was on the large side and way too much for one person.

Appetizer Trio to Share - Tomato Stack, Lump Crab, and Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup $17.99

My mother and I opted to share the Appetizer Trio for 2, which I can highly recommend:  Tomato Stack- Delicious and Refreshing: A fresh cucumber  salad drizzled with balsamic vinegar sandwiched between two ripe tomato slices. Lump Crab and Sweet Corn Custard- A wonderful mixture of crab meat and sweet corn...Oh So yummy.  And Finally, Le Cellier's signature Cheddar Cheese Soup... I don't even wanna try to count the calories in this sinful soup, but it's worth every bite...plus we walked it off quickly.

Entrees:

New York Strip Steak - with bercy butter, served with Gruyere-Yukon Gold potato gratin $31.99

Hubby ordered the NY Strip and loved every bite! Le Cellier is know for steaks, so choose beef and you really can't go wrong!  He gave it 2 thumbs up.

Le Cellier Mushroom Filet Mignon - with wild mushroom risotto, white truffle and herb butter sauce $26.99

I chose the Mushroom Filet.  My steak was cooked to perfection and let me tell you... I am NOT a mushroom person.  Can't stand them.  I ate them and loved them with this dish.  The Wild Mushroom Risotto was the highlight of my meal... I could have licked the plate, and wish this was offered in an Entree portion... I hope to post the recipe soon!

Desserts:

Le Cellier Mont Blanc Semi Freddo $9.00

To our surprise, the CM said this dessert is not the most popular, but I have to say it is one of the best things I have EVER tasted.  My mother ordered this one and I tried to hog the whole thing after she let me taste it.  OMG...Delicious isn't the word.  This is a semi-frozen sabayon (custard) with a hint of White Wine served over a chilled fruit soup. (I guessed Mango)  Do yourself a favor and try this! One of my faves in all of Disney World!

Maple Creme Brulee $8.00

You can't go wrong with a great Creme Brulee, and this one is Maple-flavored which gives it a nice Canadian touch! The maple flavor is not overwhelming and the Creme Brulee was creamy and rich inside and Crunchy and sweet on the outside, as Creme Brulee should be.

So go on now... hurry up and make a reservation at Le Cellier for your next Walt Disney World vacation.  You'll thank me later!  I can highly recommend all of the dishes featured in this review!

As stated earlier, Le Cellier is one of the hardest tickets at WDW, and walk-ups are literally NEVER accepted, so don't hesitate when making reservations.  Reservations may be made up to 180 days in advance online, or by calling (407)WDW-DINE.

***Disclosure: Our Disney adventures are funded by Disney Go To Girl unless otherwises noted. We are not affiliated with the Walt Disney Company, but LOVE Disney and do have a longstanding relationship which may influence our opinions. We are happy to share these opinions but please know these thoughts are purely ours and do not neccesarily represent those of the Walt Disney Company or any of its entitities!***

Earth Day Eco-Friendly Recap



In appreciation of Earth Day, I am adding a whole new " DGTG Eco-Approved" section to Disney Go To Girl!  Today I have posted links to some popular "Eco-Approved" posts! Enjoy and remember to "Love your Mama" (Earth)

DGTG Exclusive News Alert - Sustainabilty and Disney Parks: What Does the Future Hold?

 

Chicobag Review & Giveaway: An Eco-Friendly Yet Fashion Foward Choice for a Reusable Disney Shopping Bag

DGTG Fashion Alert: Eco-Friendly Fashions at Disney Store

DGTG News Alert: See DisneyNature's "African Cats" - Save The Savanna! 

DGTG News Alert: Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Maintains Classic Look Thanks to Environmentally Friendly Paints

DGTG Fashion Alert: Discover a Treasure Trove of Color with New BRIGHTS by OPI, Inspired by Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (Eco-Friendly too)

DGTG News Flash: Women Runners To Be Celebrated Amid Fairy Wings and Pixie Dust at Disney’s New Tinker Bell Race

The Tinker Bell Half Marathon, hosted by the City of Anaheim and Disneyland Resort, will take runners on a 13.1-mile trek through the Disneyland and Disney California Adventure theme parks and pass by several City of Anaheim landmarks. The course will be filled with music, entertainment, Disney characters, runners in colorful Tinker Bell costumes and, of course, pixie dust, and will finish at Disneyland. Runners will receive a new Tinker Bell “wings’’ medal.

DGTG News Flash: Tik Tok - Pop Artist Ke$ha Spends the Day at the Magic Kingdom



KEEPING TIME: Pop singer "Ke$ha" poses April 21, 2011 with The White Rabbit from Disney's animated film "Alice in Wonderland," at the Magic Kingdom park in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Ke$ha's debut single, entitled "Tik Tok," was a number one hit around the world. The Magic Kingdom is one of four theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort.

(Photo used with permission: Disney Media - Gene Duncan, photographer)





DGTG News Flash: Inching Closer to Aulani

Photo used with Permission - Disney Media

KO OLINA, Hawai'i, April 21, 2011 – Today, in a ceremony on the lagoon fronting the site of Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina, Hawai'i, local crew members from Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company, Inc., joined with Disney cast members (employees) to celebrate the completion of major structural work on the Disney resort and the beginning of Disney’s “time to add the magic.”

Disney Store "Goes Green" for Earth Day: It's A Green World After All

Earth Day is April 22nd which means it's time stock up on Earth Friendly goods from Disney Store!  The styles I have highlighted below feature the Organic Leaf Mickey Silhouette!

I just can't resist that adorable, Earth-Friendly mouse! 

I think you'll agree!

Disney Blog Hop: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

If you're stopping by from Babes in Disneyland's Disney Blog Hop, WELCOME! This week's theme is "The

Good, The Bad, and the Ugly" ...I'm a little late writing this post, but better late than never, right!?  I found this topic difficult to write on, since I have a hard time finding anything other than "Good" when it comes to my beloved Disney!

If you have a Disney related blog, hop over on Thursdays to join in the fun!

I put on my "Thinking Ears" and thought about this all last night before coming up with a post idea.  One of the best nights I have EVER had took place last New Year's Eve!  My crew and I were scheduled to arrive at WDW on January 2nd, my birthday, but decided to extend our stay by arriving on the 30th of December.  Everyone knows that Disney is CRAZY and INSANELY crowded during New Year's, so I was not surprised that every resort was booked, leaving us no choice but to stay off property until our official check-in date.

Wordless Wednesday Video: Finally Tall Enough for "The Wildest Ride in the Wilderness"

My 3 year old was FINALLY tall enough to ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad located at Disney World's Magic Kingdom Park and I was lucky enough to capture this magical memory on video! Enjoy!

DGTG News Alert: New Study Shows Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Makes Strong Economic Impact Across Florida



Photo by Disney Media



LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., April 13, 2011 – A new study released today shows the magic Disney makes for guests at its parks and resorts and on its cruise ships translates into a strong economic impact not only in Central Florida but across the state.