 | Advent Calendar - 7th December |
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| DisneyDan
Saturday, December 7, 2013 12:57:01 PM |
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Today is the 7th December, which means it is time to open the seventh door of our special Character Central advent calendar!
Click to see who it is today!
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 | Advent Calendar - 6th December | |
| DisneyDan
Friday, December 6, 2013 1:21:20 PM |
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Today is the 6th December, which means it is time to open the next door of our very special Character Central advent calendar!
Click to find out who it is today!
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 | Saint Nicholas Day | |
| DisneyDan
Friday, December 6, 2013 11:30:30 AM |
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Hello everyone,
Today is 6th December, which is Saint Nicholas Day.
Saint Nicholas was a bishop from what is now modern day Turkey in Eastern Europe, and was known for being a kind and generous man.
Born in the 3rd century to wealthy parents, Nicholas inherited their fortune when they died, and gave it all away to the poor and those in need.
Often described as being very good to children, and known for secretly dropping gifts in the windows of those less fortunate, we can clearly see where the modern day legend of Santa Claus/Father Christmas/Pere Noel etc comes from.
He apparently died on 6th December somewhere around 343 AD in modern day Demre, Turkey.
After his death, due to his good deeds towards children, he was made patron saint of children. So, on this day - the day he died - we remember his life, his good deeds, and of course children.
There is one place at Disney I know of that you can see Saint Nicholas, and that's during the holidays at Disneyland Paris.
Their "it's a small world" Celebration features a doll in the Dutch section that represents Sinterklaas, who in turn is basically Saint Nicholas.
Have a good Saint Nicholas Day everyone!
You can find out more about the real Saint Nicholas, you can visit the official page for him here at the Saint Nicholas Center.
Dan. |
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 | Advent Calendar - 5th December | |
| DisneyDan
Thursday, December 5, 2013 1:15:04 PM |
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Today is the 5th December, which means it is time to open the next door of our Character Central advent calendar!
Click to find out who is behind today's door!
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 | Happy 112th Birthday Walt Disney | |
| DisneyDan
Thursday, December 5, 2013 11:13:04 AM |
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Today is 5th December, which would have been Walt Disney's 112th birthday.
Born in Chicago on 5th December 1901 to Canadian father Elias and American mother Flora, Walt found himself growing up in a rapidly changing world. The automobile, electricity and telephones were amongst the new technologies that were gradually altering the way people went about their everyday lives.
Soon came World War I, and Walt found himself too young to enlist - but he did anyway!
While away he discovered his talent for drawing, and became known for decorating the helmets his comrades had found, with illustrations.
From there Walt developed his talents further, and found himself creating characters and shorts such as the Alice comedies and Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.
Sadly Oswald wasn't too lucky for Walt, but it did spur him onwards to develop a new character in 1928 - Mickey Mouse.
Mickey was Walt, and Walt was Mickey.
Walt Disney was a creative genius, who was far ahead of his time. Bringing a whole new definition to the world of film and television, Walt pioneered many new concepts and technologies.
Walt won more Oscars during his lifetime than any other person, a record that he still holds.
With his studio now one of the best in the world, Walt turned to other things. Bigger things.
Walt's ultimate dream was of course Disneyland; a place where anyone can come and have fun, away from reality.
In July 1955 Disneyland opened and has since become probably the most famous theme park in the world. Capturing Walt's very essence, and offering a true escape from the outside world, Disneyland was, and continues to be, the Happiest Place on Earth.
Of course, Walt's dream grew and grew, and so did Disneyland, to the point where Walt dreamt even bigger!
Florida was to be the home of Walt's final dream, one which sadly he did not get to see through to completion (having passed away in 1966).
Walt dreamt of a huge community where people not only lived and worked, but where they played an vacationed; known as EPCOT. A complete city built from the mind of this brilliant man.
Walt Disney World opened in October 1971 by his surviving brother and business partner, Roy, and was dedicated to Walt having changed the name from simply Disney World to Walt Disney World.
Although Walt's vision of EPCOT never came to fruition as he saw it, it certainly has come true. Walt Disney World has given Central Florida a different identity to what it had 50 years ago. From swamps to a metropolis filled with hotels, malls, other theme parks and indeed entire communities of people who live and work there. Walt Disney World itself has thousands of Cast Members who live and work at the resort, who come from all over the world, ensuring that Walt's final vision is forever captured in an amazing and colourful reality.
Over a century after his birth, we are on the brink of the 12th Disney Park opening (Shanghai, 2015), have a world filled with hundreds more movies, TV shows and even stores, a cruise line and much, much more.
All the parks have their own little nod to Walt and his dreams, remembering the man who started it all.
Walt Disney lived to entertain, and entertained for a living. He gave the world a slice of imagination and inspiration that is unrivalled, and that will continue for many more decades.
Happy 112th Birthday, Walt Disney. We thank you for your dedication to your dreams.
Dan. |
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| Advent Calendar - 4th December | |
| DisneyDan
Wednesday, December 4, 2013 11:33:29 AM |
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Today is the 4th December, which means it is time to open the fourth door of our special Character Central advent calendar!
Click to see who it is today!
[ Read More... ] |
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| Advent Calendar - 3rd December | |
| DisneyDan
Tuesday, December 3, 2013 12:52:05 PM |
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Today is the 3rd December, which means it is time to open the next door of our Character Central advent calendar!
Click to find out who is behind today's door!
[ Read More... ] |
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 | Advent Calendar - 2nd December | |
| DisneyDan
Monday, December 2, 2013 10:29:58 AM |
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Today is the 2nd December, which means it is time to open the next door of our Character Central advent calendar!
Click to find out who is behind today's door!
[ Read More... ] |
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| Advent Calendar - 1st December | |
| DisneyDan
Sunday, December 1, 2013 7:38:51 AM |
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Today is the first day of December, which means it is time to open the very first door of our very special Character Central Advent Calendar for 2013!
Click to see who is behind today's door!
[ Read More... ] |
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Hello everyone,
Today's dining review is of the 'Surf's Up! Breakfast with Mickey & Friends' at the PCH Grill in Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel, at the Disneyland Resort in California.
We most recently dined here in September 2013, having not been here for a while. In the past we had always been put off because the price had been higher, the restaurant really lacked something, and it was too far out of the way to warrant paying over the odds for.
We had dined here twice previously, and despite those negative factors, we decided it was about time we returned to see if things had improved.
The overall feel of the restaurant is much like the rest of the Paradise Pier Hotel; dated with a tired 1990's feel to it.
Having said that, the price had now been lowered to come more in line with the other character dining experiences around the resort, which makes it more worth while. One of the biggest problems is the fact it's so far out of the way from anywhere else at the resort. I guess it's through sheer laziness, which on a hectic Disney trip I think we're allowed to feel that way (I don't want to walk miles for breakfast before we've even started the day!), but the Paradise Pier always seems like an epic journey to get to. It's not really that much further than the Disneyland hotel is from the parks, but it is further nonetheless.
The food is actually pretty good. They have a really good, wide variety of options, from hot breakfast items, fruit, waffles and much more.
I recall that on a previous trip here a couple of years ago, I had been suffering from stomach issues, and asked for gluten free waffles and pancakes. I was personally attended to by the chef, and was served excellent gluten free items, made to order. I didn't ask this time, but I presume the same service is still available - why wouldn't it be?
So with that, I do highly recommend the location for the service and food.
Of course, it's a character dining experience, and some of our favourite Disney friends are in regular attendance.
There are six characters which rotate regularly, but of course the only one that is pretty much guaranteed is Mickey.
Joining Mickey, wearing cute beach wear you will find, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy and Daisy. Stitch is there quite often too, and in the past Lilo made appearances, but I haven't seen anything to suggest that she still does appear in quite a long time.
During the course of your meal the characters will all get up and teach the kids some surf moves at an interactive dance party at the front part of the restaurant. It's cute and makes for some nice photo opportunities for your children.
Having dined here again, and refreshed my experience of it, I would definitely recommend the breakfast. The food and service are good, the price is no more than the other character dining experiences, and the characters wear some fun outfits. The biggest problem really is the dated feel of the restaurant, but then that's something that is a problem with the entire hotel, not just the PCH Grill.
Prices start from $27.99 per person for adults, and $14.99 for children aged 3 through 9 inclusive. All prices are plus tax, and plus gratuity.
Annual Passholders receive a maximum of 15% discount no matter what pass they hold.
Reservations are recommended, and can be made at any guest service location at the two theme parks, any Disney Hotel concierge, on the official Disneyland Resort website, or by calling the Disney Dining line up to 60 days in advance on (714) 781-3463.
You can leave your comments by clicking here, where you will be magically transported to our forum.
Dan. |
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