Halfway To Halloween Disney Style

Disney

We're halfway to Halloween, so Disney has released a look at a few exciting things coming to Disneyland, Disney World, and the Disney Cruise Line this spooky season.  The new Haunted Mansion Parlor on the Disney Treasure looks ghoulishly delightful!

Which one are you most looking forward to?

We Call It Imagineering - Episode 1

Disney

Disney has created a new behind-the-scenes series that was inspired by the TV specials Walt Disney made to introduce Disneyland. This new series, which is available exclusively on YouTube, gives fans a chance to see the imagineering that goes into creating the magic at Disney Parks and the Disney Cruise Line. The first episode is called "Audio-Animatronics" and provides a sneak peek at the characters that will soon be a part of Tiana's Bayou Adventure.

This series is fascinating. Walt Disney once said, "There’s really no secret about our approach. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things, because we’re curious. And curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." That doesn't make it any less amazing. Keep an eye out for new episodes coming to Walt Disney Imagineering's YouTube channel soon.

The Haunted Mansion Parlor Lounge

All images: Disney

Welcome, foolish mortals, to the Haunted Mansion Parlor Lounge?! This new lounge will appear aboard the Disney Treasure when it sets sail next year. It looks amazing!

The lounge will be the home of a swinging wake for a jovial captain who died after a disastrous dinner with his beloved fiancé. The decor is a nod to the classic ride, but with a seafaring twist.

A delightful array of ghoulish beverages have been created especially for this lounge.

• Sympathetic Libations - a zero-proof cocktail with sour cherry and blood orange flavors
• Ghoulish Delight - ube fudge, oat milk and tapioca pearls become a glittery purple concoction, garnished with a gummy eyeball
• Signature Beverage - a ghostly twist on a classic margarita: presented amidst a swirl of flavored smoke, topped with a lemon salt foam, with a secret message that can only be revealed by black light

And if you just can't wait to try one of these eerie new beverages, just head over to the Disney Parks Blog to download the recipes. There will also be special merchandise available at the Haunted Mansion Parlor. 

The Haunted Mansion Parlor Music Box - this mysterious box belonged to the captain’s bride-to-be and only opens in the presence of malevolent spirits.

The Haunted Mansion Parlor Clock was inspired by the old grandfather clock from the original Disney Parks attraction.

The Haunted Mansion Parlor Mirror will offer a frightening surprise when the hitchhiking ghosts mysteriously appear in the frame.

This is just one of several themed lounges that you will find onboard the Disney Treasure.  Others include Skipper Society, inspired by the Jungle Cruise, and Periscope Pub, inspired by the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. I would want to try them all!

Captain Minnie's New Outfit

Disney

Captain Minnie has an all-new look aboard the Disney Treasure. She's ready to head out on an adventure dressed as an intrepid explorer. So cute!

Peanut Butter Blondie Bars Recipe From Disney

Disney

Is there any better dessert combination than peanut butter and chocolate? There's just something about the way they work together that is delicious. I can't wait to try this peanut butter and chocolate recipe from the Disney Fantasy.

Peanut Butter Blondie Bars from Sweet on You

1 cup white chocolate chips

1 stick unsalted butter

4 tsp creamy peanut butter

3 large eggs

1 cup brown sugar

1¼ cups flour

¼ cup pecans, chopped

Candy to garnish

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Melt the chocolate, peanut butter and butter. Whisk the eggs and brown sugar with an electric mixer until thickened. Fold the chocolate mixture into the whisked eggs. Fold the sieved flour and pecans into the chocolate mixture. Pour the mixture into a baking tray and spread out evenly. 

Place in the oven to bake for approximately 45 minutes. Once the brownies are cool, cut out with a 2.5 inch cookie cutter.

Chocolate Ganache:

1 cup heavy cream

2 cups dark chocolate chips

For the ganache, heat the heavy cream over the stove until just reaching boiling point. Pour the hot cream over the dark chocolate and stir in until the chocolate has melted.

Once cool, beat the ganache before piping on top of each brownie. Decorate with your choice of candy.

Marvel Day At Sea Treats

All images: Disney

Disney Cruise Line's Marvel Day At Sea is coming to the Disney Dream this January. And with it, comes a few fun and tasty treats. If Captain America is your favorite Avenger, give the Captain America Brownie a try.

More of an Iron Man or Spider-Man fan? Then these cupcakes are for you. The Iron Man Cupcake is a vanilla sponge cake with vanilla frosting, while the Spider-Man Cupcake is chocolate devil cake with white chocolate mousse.

Or maybe you love all things Groot. There's a Baby Groot Marshmallow Stick that's adorable. 

And finally, for every Marvel fan, there's a Marvel Cookie Sandwich filled with dulce de leche. Yum!

Island Navigator Recipe

Disney

There are many delicious sounding treats aboard the Disney Cruise ships as well as on Castaway Cay. Someday, I hope to have the chance to sample a few of them. Until then, I'll just have to try making them at home. I think I'll start with this recipe for the Island Navigator.

Island Navigator from Disney Cruise Line

Serves 2

1 cup pineapple juice

1/3 cup coconut cream

6 to 8 ice cubes

1 cup vanilla ice cream or frozen vanilla yogurt  Pineapple triangles and maraschino cherries for garnish

Combine pineapple juice and coconut cream in blender. Blend to combine. Add ice and pulse until ice is crushed. Add ice cream and blend until smooth. Garnish with pineapple triangles and maraschino cherries, if desired. Serve immediately. 

Sven's Carrot Delight Recipe

Disney

If the winter weather is getting you down, why not try a summertime drink from Castaway Cay. Sven's Carrot Delight is a fun mix of carrot juice and pog juice with a bit of  ice cream and coconut cream. I can't wait to try it. 

Sven’s Carrot Delight

3 oz. Odwalla carrot juice

3 oz. vanilla ice cream or drink mix

1.5 oz. coconut cream

.75 oz. passion fruit juice

.75 oz. orange juice

.75 oz. guava juice

Ice

Blend all ingredients together and enjoy!

Frozen Heart Recipe From Castaway Cay

Disney

When the dreariness of winter gets you down, why not try a tropical summertime drink? This recipe for a "Frozen Heart" from Castaway Cay sounds delicious. 

Frozen Heart

5 oz. frozen tropical juice

1 oz. coconut water

.5 oz blue curaçao syrup

.5 oz. passion fruit juice

.5 oz. orange juice

.5 oz. guava juice

Blend frozen tropical juice and coconut water. Layer bottom of glass with blue curaçao syrup. Pour blended drink and add passion fruit, orange and guava juices. Stir to mix.

Slide Through the Aquaduck in This Ride & Learn Video

Disney

I haven't yet had the chance to take a Disney Cruise, but it's definitely on my bucket list. And when I finally do, I'm looking forward to sliding around the ship on the Aquaduck, the world's first water coaster at sea. Check out this splashy ride in the latest "Ride & Learn" video from Disney.

The Aquaduck can be found on both the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy.

Destination America's Disney Week 2014

When I can't make it to Disney, I love to watch Behind the Scenes Disney shows. They offer a rare glimpse into areas of the parks that few ever see. And they really can help with the Disney crazies, those times when you have no idea when you'll make it back to a Disney park, but you really, really want to go. If this is you, Destination America has the perfect cure. This week, they will be airing a full week of prime time Disney programming, including the premiere of the new Walt Disney World: Resort Hotels.

“Walt Disney’s vision for family fun is an American tradition and has brought families together for generations,” said Marc Etkind, general manager for Destination America. “Destination America loves to celebrate iconic American travel locations and we are proud to share DISNEY WEEK with our audience.” Here's the lineup, starting Monday, March 3, 2014:

Monday 8PM Eastern - Walt Disney World Resort Hotels - An exclusive tour of the Disney Resort Hotels, each with its own special theme, from the early days of their first hotels, to the new Princess Rooms at the Port Orleans Resort. Followed by Undiscovered Disney Parks  at 9PM.

Tuesday 6PM Eastern -  Undiscovered Disney Parks - A look at the many surprising things to do at Disney parks, including learning to surf, walking in Walt's footsteps, driving a race car, and enjoying a private safari. Followed by an encore of Walt Disney World Resort Hotels at 7PM.

Tuesday 8PM Eastern - Disney Cruise Line: Reimagined Magic - An overview of the renovations to Disney's flagship, the Magic, including a new water slide for kids and adults to enjoy.

Tuesday 9PM Eastern - Ultimate Walt Disney World - An inside look at the top thrill rides that bring adrenaline junkies from around the world to Disney, including the newly reopened Test Track.

Wednesday 6PM Eastern - Disneyland Resort: Behind the Scenes - What better way to learn about Disney parks than to find secrets and myths about the place where it all began; Disneyland? Also included is a look at the future of Disneyland and it's expansion into California Adventure and Cars Land. Followed by Disney Cruise Line: Reimagined Magic at 7PM.

Wednesday 8PM Eastern - Walt Disney World: Behind the Scenes - A fascinating look at what makes Disney World work and what allowed them to become the most successful theme park in Florida.

Wednesday 9PM Eastern - Disney Cruise Line: Behind the Magic - A glimpse into all four of Disney's cruise ships: the Fantasy, Dream, Wonder, and Magic, and the technology that allows them to be truly magical.

Thursday 6PM Eastern - Disney Cruise Line: Behind the Magic, followed at by Walt Disney World Resort: Behind the Scenes at 7PM. Next up is Disneyland Resort: Behind the Scenes at 8PM and Walt Disney World Resort Hotels at 9PM.

Friday 6PM Eastern - Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

Friday 7PM Eastern - Disney's Animal Kingdom - A behind the scenes look at the challenges of combining the thrill rides of a theme park with live animals in their own environment. Followed by Undiscovered Disney Parks at 8PM and Disney Cruise Line: Reimagined Magic at 9PM.

I can't wait to watch these shows and have already set my DVR so that I can watch them more than once! Will you be watching?

Destinations in Florida Travel Agency - The Official Disney Vacation Planner of Disney at Heart

Have you ever used a Disney Vacation Planner to plan your Disney vacation? I must admit, I haven't, but I'm seriously considering contacting one the next time I go. And when I do, I'll contact Siera at Destinations in Florida, the official vacation planner of Disney At Heart. Whether you plan to go to a Disney Park, Legoland, Universal Studios or Seaworld, Siera can help you plan the perfect vacation. So, whether you know exactly what you want, but would like someone else to handle booking your trip or you need help figuring out exactly what you should include, be sure to contact Siera and get the best price on your Walt Disney World Vacation Package... Guaranteed!

An authorized Disney Vacation Planner can help you do much more than just book your vacation. They can help you to decide whether to stay on-site or off, how many days would be best for your family, should you purchase the Dining Plan, and much more. In addition, they can help you to figure out a budget and make the reservations for you. They will also watch for new deals that may pop up and can adjust your reservation to save you money. In my opinion, that may be the best part. Going to Disney can be expensive and every penny saved is important.

And to top it all off, Siera can give you advice on how to make your vacation even better. Do you know which days are the best days to go to each park? How about which restaurant is best when traveling with a two year old and which is best for a romantic dinner? Siera can answer these questions and more. Also included in your Disney vacation are the following free items: a Mickey Mouse autographed pictures for your kids, Disney Guide Maps, and an Orlando Magicard.

Siera is a travel agent with Destinations in Florida, your PremEAR Disney World and Orlando Vacation Planners. She is an authorized Disney vacation planner and Disney world, Disney Cruise, Disneyland, Disney Hawaii, and Adventures by Disney Specialist. She is also a Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure Specialist. Siera has traveled to these destinations numerous times and would love you help you plan your next vacation.

Destination America's Disney Week

When I can't make it to Disney, I love to watch Behind the Scenes Disney shows. They offer a rare glimpse into areas of the parks that few ever see. And they really can help with the Disney crazies, those times when you have no idea when you'll make it back to a Disney park, but you really, really want to go. If this is you, Destination America has the perfect cure. Next week, they will be airing a full week of prime time Disney programming, including the premiere of the new Disney Cruise Line: Behind the Magic.

“As a network that treasures American travel destinations, Destination America wouldn’t be complete without DISNEY WEEK and the story of Walt Disney’s theme parks and cruises,” said Marc Etkind, SVP of Content Strategy for Destination America. “From iconic thrill rides that continue to capture the heart of each new generation to a globally recognized mouse-eared logo, Disney reflects an American tale of innovation and imagination that we are proud to present to our viewers.”

Here's the lineup, starting Monday, April 29, 2013:

Monday 8PM Eastern - Walt Disney World: Behind the Scenes - A fascinating look at what makes Disney World work and what allowed them to become the most successful theme park in Florida.

Monday 9PM Eastern - Disney Cruise Line: Behind the Magic - A glimpse into all four of Disney's cruise ships: the Fantasy, Dream, Wonder, and Magic, and the technology that allows them to be truly magical.

Tuesday 8PM Eastern - Disneyland Resort: Behind the Scenes - What better way to learn about Disney parks than to find secrets and myths about the place where it all began; Disneyland? Also included is a look at the future of Disneyland and it's expansion into California Adventure and Cars Land.

Wednesday 8PM Eastern - Ultimate Walt Disney World - An inside look at the top thrill rides that bring adrenaline junkies from around the world to Disney, including the newly reopened Test Track.

Thursday 8PM Eastern - Undiscovered Disney Parks - A look at the many surprising things to do at Disney parks, including learning to surf, walking in Walt's footsteps, driving a race car, and enjoying a private safari.

Friday 8PM Eastern - Disney Cruise Line: Behind the Magic - A repeat of this new behind the scenes look at Disney's cruise ships.

I can't wait to watch these shows and have already set my DVR so that I can watch them more than once! Will you be watching?