| It's the 1st day of spring for 2017, can you believe it?! Depending on where in the country you live you may have been already enjoying nice, warm spring days before winter storm, Stella decided to blast us all with, what is hopefully, the last of the winter cold...brrr. I recently returned from our agency's annual "Polish Your Ears" conference at Walt Disney World® Resort where signs of spring are evident everywhere around the parks and resorts with plenty of beautiful spring flowers in hanging baskets and planted flower beds. It is such a nice time to visit Disney when the flowers are in full bloom and the weather isn't too hot yet. While at Disney our team spent some time increasing our knowledge base about Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawaii, Adventures by Disney's land and river cruise adventures and what has changed around Disney Springs and Disney's theme parks. It was a very busy six days, and I clocked around 27 miles in the process. Whew! No wonder I came home a little tired. Haha |
The above photo was taken after we completed a crazy, but fun, scavenger hunt all around Epcot. We looked like we were all on an episode of The Amazing Race all racing around as fast as we could trying to win with the most points. What did I learn during this exercise...there is a pressed penny machine in just about every souvenir shop in every country around World Showcase, and you could find a hidden Mickey in the oddest of places. My team took first place in what I now call, "The Amazing Epcot Scavenger Hunt 2017." Haha!
On our last day at Walt Disney World we did what we always do...open Magic Kingdom right at park opening to practice what we preach running the park plan that we suggest to all of our clients making sure that it still works as it had in the past, what changes we may need to make and adjust our suggestions to our clients accordingly. If you have booked your Disney vacation through me, you know that your final trip packet includes your customized park plan with personal itinerary tips, as well as our "Tip & Tricks" for each of Disney's four theme parks and water parks. You are very well prepared with everything you will need to know before you ever get to Disney.
The same holds true when you book a Disney Cruise Line vacation as well. Disney Cruise Line has their own way of doing some things that keep them unique from other cruise lines in the industry, and I make sure that you are well prepared for your cruise vacation. Disney has made sure that you will experience the same Disney magic and special touches onboard their cruise ships just as you do in their theme parks.
A Few New Dining Locations I visited!
Let's talk food for a few minutes! I usually make a point to try some new dining locations that I have not experienced before while I'm at Disney, and this time Disney Springs seemed appropriate, considering all the new places that have opened there over this past year. The day I arrived at Disney another agent and I took the ferry from our resort over to Disney Springs for lunch at the newly refurbished Paddlefish, and it did not disappoint! She had the crab fries, and I had one of the best crab cake sandwiches that I think I've ever had! If you find yourself there near sunset or the evening hours I would suggest trying out their rooftop lounge for a nice view of the lake. It's no secret that The BOATHOUSE is one of my favorite places to eat when I'm there, but I think Paddlefish may give The BOATHOUSE a slight run for the money. Time will tell, but I will return to Paddlefish again!
On our last day at Walt Disney World we did what we always do...open Magic Kingdom right at park opening to practice what we preach running the park plan that we suggest to all of our clients making sure that it still works as it had in the past, what changes we may need to make and adjust our suggestions to our clients accordingly. If you have booked your Disney vacation through me, you know that your final trip packet includes your customized park plan with personal itinerary tips, as well as our "Tip & Tricks" for each of Disney's four theme parks and water parks. You are very well prepared with everything you will need to know before you ever get to Disney.
The same holds true when you book a Disney Cruise Line vacation as well. Disney Cruise Line has their own way of doing some things that keep them unique from other cruise lines in the industry, and I make sure that you are well prepared for your cruise vacation. Disney has made sure that you will experience the same Disney magic and special touches onboard their cruise ships just as you do in their theme parks.
A Few New Dining Locations I visited!
Let's talk food for a few minutes! I usually make a point to try some new dining locations that I have not experienced before while I'm at Disney, and this time Disney Springs seemed appropriate, considering all the new places that have opened there over this past year. The day I arrived at Disney another agent and I took the ferry from our resort over to Disney Springs for lunch at the newly refurbished Paddlefish, and it did not disappoint! She had the crab fries, and I had one of the best crab cake sandwiches that I think I've ever had! If you find yourself there near sunset or the evening hours I would suggest trying out their rooftop lounge for a nice view of the lake. It's no secret that The BOATHOUSE is one of my favorite places to eat when I'm there, but I think Paddlefish may give The BOATHOUSE a slight run for the money. Time will tell, but I will return to Paddlefish again!
The second new location I decided to check out was also at Disney Springs with dinner one evening at Chef Art Smith's Homecoming Kitchen. I had been hearing lots of good things about this place, so I decided I needed to try it out for myself since I am often asked for recommendations for good places to dine while assisting with the planning of magical Disney vacations.
I enjoyed the casual, relaxed atmosphere of this restaurant from the comfortable outdoor patio seating out front to the friendly and knowledgeable staff and personal attention to service inside. Most items on the menu here have a story behind it that relates to something significant or special in Chef Art Smith's life, so feel free to ask your server and find out a little fun fact. While Chef Art Smith has a variety of restaurant locations all around the country, he is a native Floridian and well known for his signature fried chicken, Hummingbird cake and Shine cake, which is a really nice pound cake with a few special touches added making it his own unique dessert. Be sure to give it a try when you find yourself there! I had the boneless fried chicken with mashed potatoes, drop biscuit, homemade cider bread and butter pickles and a side of Mac&Cheese...because who doesn't try the Mac&Cheese? It was all delicious, and I preferred their Mac&Cheese over the mashed potatoes...but that's just my personal opinion.
I enjoyed the casual, relaxed atmosphere of this restaurant from the comfortable outdoor patio seating out front to the friendly and knowledgeable staff and personal attention to service inside. Most items on the menu here have a story behind it that relates to something significant or special in Chef Art Smith's life, so feel free to ask your server and find out a little fun fact. While Chef Art Smith has a variety of restaurant locations all around the country, he is a native Floridian and well known for his signature fried chicken, Hummingbird cake and Shine cake, which is a really nice pound cake with a few special touches added making it his own unique dessert. Be sure to give it a try when you find yourself there! I had the boneless fried chicken with mashed potatoes, drop biscuit, homemade cider bread and butter pickles and a side of Mac&Cheese...because who doesn't try the Mac&Cheese? It was all delicious, and I preferred their Mac&Cheese over the mashed potatoes...but that's just my personal opinion.
Little did we know that Chef Art Smith's right-hand man happened to be in the restaurant that night checking in on how things were going. Our waiter informed him that we were dining with the main intention of experiencing the "Homecoming Kitchen Experience" in order to know how to better guide our clients with their choices of dining options at Disney. He personally came over to our table bringing us a large slice of both of their signature cakes (Humming Bird cake and Shine cake) for the three of us to try. He works directly with Chef Art Smith and travels all around the country checking in on his various restaurants making sure things are running smoothly and up to the Chef Art Smith standard. We enjoyed a nice conversation with him, shared our common interests in Lowcountry (Charleston, SC) food favorites and thanked him for the kind gesture of the dessert. Both the Hummingbird cake and Shine Cake were delicious, but we all really enjoyed the Shine Cake...mmm!
 Humming Bird Cake |  Signature Shine Cake |
It wasn't all meetings...we made time to get in some "research" as well while we were there. I mean somebody had to check out some of the new, and still current, characters around the parks like Princess Elena, Moana, Chewbacca, Kylo Ren, Cinderella.
We managed to say hello to the giraffes on Kilimanjaro Safaris, meet Doc McStuffins at her new location in Animal Kingdom, found an awesome frozen margarita place in Hollywood Studios, enjoyed Flower & Garden Festival at Epcot with live music and took some fun Magic shots with the Disney Photo Pass photographers! I covered some serious territory and STILL did not get to everything I wanted to...ugh. That means another trip will be needed.
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Did I learn some new tips...YES! Some things have changed at Walt Disney World® Resort that are resulting in some of our "Tips & Tricks" to now being changed accordingly. This is why it's so important that we stay on top of what changes are happening there, which seems to be often anymore, so that I can better assist you with the planning of your magical Disney vacation!
When you book your Disney destination vacation through me, and take advantage of my Disney expertise, you will receive all my personal assistance, including a personalized park plan based on current crowd projections and our special Ears' "Tips" for FREE when you stay at one of Disney's resort hotels.
If you, or someone you know, may be considering a Disney destination vacation, and I could be of assistance, please feel free to pass along my information. Your referral is my biggest compliment and what helps my business to continually grow!
I wish you all a happy and safe 1st Day of Spring 2017!
Cindy
Cindy Poche
Ears of Experience by Cindy Poche
www.MagicMickeyMoments.com
[email protected]
1-844-462-4426 ext. 1
When you book your Disney destination vacation through me, and take advantage of my Disney expertise, you will receive all my personal assistance, including a personalized park plan based on current crowd projections and our special Ears' "Tips" for FREE when you stay at one of Disney's resort hotels.
If you, or someone you know, may be considering a Disney destination vacation, and I could be of assistance, please feel free to pass along my information. Your referral is my biggest compliment and what helps my business to continually grow!
I wish you all a happy and safe 1st Day of Spring 2017!
Cindy
Cindy Poche
Ears of Experience by Cindy Poche
www.MagicMickeyMoments.com
[email protected]
1-844-462-4426 ext. 1
