I Hear the Gray Stuff Is Delicious!

Today, the Disney Parks Blog posted a sneak-peek video that gives a behind-the-scenes look into the making of the newest restaurant in Disney World's Fantasyland.

Big whoop, right?

WRONG!! This is the Be Our Guest restaurant, and the crown jewel of the lavish Fantasyland restoration! I am so excited I could burst. Now, I've never been one that just had to eat in the parks. I'm perfectly fine taking a little break and finding the nearest McDonald's, or even heading back to the hotel and fixing a sandwich there. When we do eat in the parks, it's generally quick-service between rides. Disney dining just hasn't been a huge priority...with a few notable exceptions.

If you're in Disneyland, you have to (have to) grab an order of beignets at Cafe Orleans. It's across from Pirates of the Caribbean, and worth every penny of the didn't-even-bother-to-put-it-on-the-menu price. And don't even think about sharing. You're going to want all of yours, and probably everybody else's, too. They're amazing, and this is coming from a Southern girl raised on the original Cafe du Monde. Also, I don't know what's in that vanilla dipping sauce, but I suspect crack, since I've been dreaming of it since our trip in September. Just go.

In Epcot, in the World Showcase, hie yourself to Italy and visit Via Napoli for, hands down, the best pizza you'll taste. I swear, I've never seen my picky husband so happy, and one "medium" pizza fed my entire family of five--including my, at the time, thirteen year-old garbage disposal of a brother--with everyone full to the point of slightly miserable. Best of all, the prices are almost affordable by park standards. It's on my must-eat list for future trips.

And now, I must add the Be Our Guest restaurant to the list. I have absolutely no idea what's on the menu, but I'm afraid the atmosphere is what's going to bring in the crowds, anyway. Beauty & the Beast has always been my favorite Disney movie, and the fact that I got to fall in love with a beast every day for a few months (in a non-Disney version of the musical, but still!) has only caused the story to burrow deeper into my heart. I don't know when they open, but first chance I get, I'll be their guest.

Video courtesy of the Disney Parks Blog:

Frugal Friday: Mail-Order Mickey

Photo Credit: The Disney Store

I have been to every Disney park in the country this year, but it just doesn't feel like October without Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. Thomas and I have been the past two years, and have already decided that it feels so weird to miss it that we're going back next year. MNSSHP was never intended to become a yearly thing, and never entered our minds this year...until October...and now we're both a little disoriented. Don't get me wrong--the family trip in July was amazing, and I will cherish those memories for the rest of my life because we all grew so much closer as a family. As of this week, I've started a wall collage of the photos, and I dearly hope we can all go back again together, someday. The Disneyland trip was fantastic, as well, and I would love to go back when we have more time to explore the nooks and crannies. We also got to hang out with some good friends, and you just can't put a price on that. It's just...the Halloween party has, I guess, become our tradition--our very first tradition--without our even realizing it. We just started going because it was a comfortable time of the year, and the ticket price was a lot cheaper than a regular day pass, even though you still get about eight hours in the park. Who knew that we would grow to look forward to the pumpkin displays, creepy lighting effects, or trick-or-treating through the park? I even catch myself (and Thomas, for that matter) humming the at-first-annoying-but-then-infectious "Boo To You" song that plays throughout the parade. The Haunted Mansion isn't the same without zombie makeup on the cast members, and lines aren't as interesting without cosplayers to spot. I once saw a three year-old dressed as a member of KISS. That's just not something you normally find at Peter Pan's Flight.

 

So, to ease my discombobulation at missing the party this year (I didn't even know I wanted to go!), today's Frugal Friday find is free shipping on all Disney Theme Park merchandise, now through October 25th (Tuesday, and coincidentally, the same day The Night Shift is released on DVD. How 'bout that?) with the code PARKSFREE.

 

There's a whole section dedicated to Halloween products, and another whole section that's nothing but Nightmare Before Christmas. And yeah, there's *shudder* Christmas merchandise now available, if you want to get a jump on *shudder, again* decorating the house or stuffing stockings. Prices are what you'd pay in the park, so with free shipping, it's just like souvenier shopping, but without having to figure out how to stuff everything in the suitcase. Have a great weekend!

 

 

Nothing a Good Mai Tai Probably Couldn't Fix

Photo Credit: Sephora

Okay. The picture round-up is currently on-going, so I'm going to have to put off any Disney tales till next week. I know; you're heartbroken, but I'm sure you'll find a way to get by.

I will say, that after three full days of sweating glowing in the hotter'n Hades beautiful Florida sunshine, I could literally feel the dirt invading my pores. I could see the clogs. That's bad. I did the best I could to combat the elements: drank lots of water, scrubbed my face at least twice a day, used tinted moisturizer instead of foundation, and tried to let my skin breathe as much as possible. It didn't matter. I am so broken out, people are mistaking me for a high schooler. Of course, I'm sure my being short isn't helping with their confusion.

As soon as I got home, I washed my face (again), and slathered on my Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque. True to form, it cleared out a significant amount of clogged pores and blackheads. Still, my face was in a state of trauma. You don't think about the wringer your skin goes through while you're laughing it up in the Happiest Place On Earth (okay, I know that's Disneyland, but same deal). We've established there's the heat and sweat and dirt...fine. There's also greasy food (which, I know, dermatologists have said that the grease you put in your stomach doesn't affect your skin...try eating pizza without getting some on your face. I dare you), drastic changes in enviroment (a/c in the car, airplane atmosphere, getting on and off rides, fog machines, wind machines, etc.), sleep deprivation, too many cokes and not enough water, little germy kids with little germy hands that touch all the same things you touch...I could go on, but you see my point? Even after the masque my skin was still screaming.

Yesterday, I happened upon Ole Henriksen's Blue/Black Berry Enzyme Mask. According to Sephora:

This potently calming blend of lavender, papaya enzyme, blueberries, and blackberries gently polishes the skin, relieving facial stress and delivering smooth results.

Well, that sounded like it might help. There was a fantastic sale, so I snapped this puppy up for only six bucks.

So, last night, after work, I put on my jammies, washed my face and pulled my hair back, opened up the jar and spread the contents all over my face. Then, I sat down to relax and watch some television.

The Good: The scent. Wow. This mask has a very strong lavender fragrance, but not a fakey, chemically one. This is real lavender, and it is extremely calming. The gel mask is downright frosty, and there are also no parabens, sulfates, or artificial colors. In fact, there's no color at all. It's clear, which also keeps you from having that whole Wicked Witch of the West thing going on.

The Bad: I had a hard time washing the mask off, and really, I couldn't tell if it did anything to my skin. I followed up with a moisturizer, partially because you should always follow a mask with a good moisturizer, and partially because my skin felt really dry. That's not a good sign when it's supposed to be a hydrating mask.

The Ugly: Normally, this is priced at $32. That's insane.

I'm going to give this another go. The directions said it could be used 2-3 times weekly, so it may just be very gentle. If nothing else, twenty minutes of inhaling lavender might relax me enough to not care about my skin anymore. I say, for six bucks, it's worth a second look. For $32, I suggest you keep your money and look elsewhere.

Final Verdict: It'll calm your nerves, but not necessarily your face. 4 out of 10.

That Mouse Is a Bad Influence

Photo Credit: MouseSurplus

Well, my productivity is shot today, and I blame my husband.

 

Thomas found this website, MouseSurplus, that sells Disney memorabilia and collectibles--but not just any collectibles. How would you like to own the FastPass entrance to Disneyland's It's a Small World? Maybe the MGM Studios Toy Story Van is more your style (fun fact: it was the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Van before the Pixar gang took it over)? Talk about taking home a piece of Disney! I, personally, have been mulling over the Who Wants To Be a Millionaire hot button from the park attraction. I think it'd look really nifty in the computer corner, plus, it actually works! 

 

The site itself was cool enough, and I spent a few minutes checking out the pretties. Then, I noticed the ebay link. Oh. My. God.

 

There were ten pages of auctions!! Be still my little Mickey-loving heart! Want a stage light prop from the Disney Store (I do)? Original Darby O'Gill press kit (Lord, I get tickled just thinking about Sean Connery singing)? How 'bout a Pirates of the Caribbean promotional pocket watch? What about a (*gasp*) seat from the Alien Encounters Magic Kingdom attraction?! 

 

Yes, some of this stuff is priced in the thousands, but there are things--many that would be considered historic--that the average person (read: ME) could afford. Now, I want to see what someone does with that monorail door that sold before I could get to it. 

Have a great weekend, folks!