Okotberfest All Year Long

So yesterday I was another day to continue my culinary tour around the world. This week's stop was in Germany at the Biergarten, where everyday is Oktoberfest. The Biergarten is set in the heart of a Bavarian Villiage and serves authentic German cuisine buffet style. The inside theme is very similar to that of the Blue Bayou. You are "outside" in this quite german village and all of a sudden you are bombarded with the sounds of a delightful, live German band as they welcome you to feast and celebrate oktoberfest.

So the first thing I decided to tear into was all the sausages and sauerkraut!!! It was really tasty, even the sauerkraut lol. They has a bunch of dipping sauces to go along with the sausages. They had a regular yellow mustard, a spicy brown mustard, and sweet mustard, and some other one that didnt sound appetizing to me so I didnt have any. The meat servings of the day were Rotisserie Chicken which was actually really moist and juicy needless to say I had a few helping of chicken. The Roast pork was the made in authentic german spices. It seemed like it had a familiar taste like something I have tasted before but i couldnt quite place it. It was ok not the best thing there and really the only thing that I was a little disappointed in. The Fish of the day was Salmon with a Butter Dill sauce. I loveddddd it!! It was my favorite dish!! It was so fresh, flaky, and flavorful it was awesome.

There were also great side dishes that added a lot to the German experience. The German potato salad was really good. This is coming from a guy that doesnt like regular potato salad but I liked this one. The Spaetzle was a different kind of side dish. Its like a german duppling which was good but I couldnt eat a lot of it. The Frikadelien was another one of the surprise dishes that I though were really delicious.

When it comes to desserts that Apple Strudel and the Bavarian Cheesecake were the highlights of an assortment of dessert dishes. These were the top two for me. I had two servings of the apple strudel. It was great!.

Coming soon

Ohana

A Food and Wine Festival

Drinking around the World

A Day in the Magic Kingdom

Future with Walt Disney Co.

Foods of the World

So I have tried to make it a priority to eat at a new restaurant each week when I get paid. So far I have eaten a lot of good things ranging from African cuisine to celebrating Oktoberfest with traditional German foods and ofcourse the beer!

So here is the list of some of the stuff that I have already eaten:

I have eaten a Dole Whip from Aloha Isle in Adventureland. Their is only 4 places in the world where you can get them. The first is in the Magic Kingdom, the Polynesian resort, the third in Disneyland, and is at the Dole plantation in Hawaii.

The first real culinary adventure I have been on since I have been down here was when I went to Sanaa at the Kidani Village at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. The name of the restaurant (Sanaa) means beautiful artwork and there is plenty of it on the walls and around the grounds there. The theming of this place was amazing. You really felt so far away from the rest of the world like you were actually in a place in Africa but the images of hidden mickeys reminded you that you where in the Happiest Place On Earth. The meal started out with a sampling of Indian style bread service. They give you the choice of choosing three types of bread, Naan, Onion Kulcha, Paratha, Paneer Paratha. We ended up choosing the Naan bread, which is like a fluffy tortilla, the Onion Kulcha, a flattened pancake with onion baked in, and the Paneer Paratha, which is like the naan bread but with this paneer cheese baked on it. Along with the bread service you get to also chose three accompaniments. The choices were Red Chile Sambal, Cucumber Raita, Coriander Chutney, Mango Chutney, Garlic Pickle, Green Mango Pickle, Roasted Red Bell Pepper Hummus, Tamarind Chutney. Out of these choices the Red Chile Sambal, the Mango Chutney, and the Roasted Red Pepper Hummus were the winners. The breads were so good and so filling that they could have been a meal just by themselves. The Red Chile Sambal was the equivalent of an African hot sauce, but with more seasoning that actual heat. The Mango Chutney ended up being my favorite of the three it was sweet and had a fresh sort of flavor to it, the hummus was also pretty good and Im not really a fan of hummus.

With how good the breads and sauces turned out my expectations for the main courses were through the roof and they didn't disappoint. The title of this portion of the menus was called "Slow Cooked in Gravy, Simple and Well Seasoned" and rightfully so. The Shrimp with green curry sauce and the beef short ribs served with Basmati rice were some of the best food I had ever eaten. The shrimp were a plump and juicy and cooked just right and the curry had just the perfect amount of spice and saltiness that didn't make it overbearing. The part of this meal that really surprised me was the Beef short ribs. They had a fantastic blend of sweet and spice. The taste of these tender ribs was so familiar but I couldnt quite place where I had tasted such a thing. Upon asking the server what it was that the ribs were seasoned with I had discovered what that familiar taste was. CINNAMON the ribs were actually slow cooked in cinnamon. The other main couse that I had the pleasure of eating was Tandoori Chicken. It was wrapped in Naan Bread like a sort of giant sandwich. Minted greens and Tomato and cucumber-Yogurt Raita gave the giant african sandwich its sweet, fresh flavor.

With every bite I could feel myself slipping into a food coma. The final part of the meal was dessert. Chocolate cake, was ok pretty standard I would say but the Passion fruit Kulfi and the Chai Cream were so tasty and delicious. Im really glad I was able to enjoy the wonderful offering from Sanaa and I recommend it to anyone who is looking to try something new and take their taste buds on a wild roller coaster of the strange and succulent.

Yo ho A pirates life for me

Once Upon a TIme Is Now!!

So it has begun. I have been here in Orlando for a about a week and half now. It's been soooo awesome. Our arrival date was August 18th so on the 16th I went to Fresno to pick up Kevin and we drove down to John Wayne International in Santa Ana that night. We left good ol' California behind at about 9:30 at night.

The flight over was definitely entertaining we could play trivia games and watch satellite television on the plane( how cool is that!). We got to Atlanta at about 4:50 in the morning and let me tell you as soon as I walked off the plane the humidity hit me right in the face. The air felt so thick that I could almost swim in it. Of course by the time we landed in Atlanta I had worked up a giant appetite. The only thing open was a Chick-fil-A so I got fried chicken and biscuits for breakfast. It was pretty tasty but I would much rather have had something else. I was able to catch 10 mins of sleep in the airport before we took off to finish our trip to Orlando.

The journey to Orlando from Atlanta was pretty quick it only took about an hour and 10mins of flight time. We made our way to our hotel only to find that ALL of the rooms had been book so we took up all of our stuff and went to a hotel about half a mile away. It was seriously the hottest half mile ever!!! Especially with having to carry all of my bags and junk. SO at the new hotel they did have rooms available but they were like 80 bucks a night, so thats when I called the G-PA. My grandpa being the master negotiator that he is was able to haggle down the price to 67 bucks I still have no idea how he did that. SO we stayed our first night there.

After taking what turned out to be a 5 hour nap I woke up and we ventured out to Pop century resort for a pre-arrival meet and greet to meet some of the other people that were starting their college programs on the same day. I met a bunch of new people and people that I have been chatting with on facebook for months but just now meeting face to face for the first time. After dinner some of us went to this place called the Orlando Ale House. It was ladies night so all the girls got to drink for free so they all had fun but the rest of us that had to pay had an ok time. The best thing about Ale House was their cheese fries gosh they were sooooo delicious!! After Ale house I made my way back to the hotel and crashed out for the night. I had a very early and busy day the next day.

The World Is A Carosel of Color

So this weekend was America's 234th birthday and I celebrated it in the best place possible the Disneyland Resort! I went to Disneyland with my friend Sara and her family. The first day was just getting there. It was a fun 2 hour drive down to Anaheim. We played I Spy it was that fun hahaha and that was pretty much the only exciting part of the fist day.

Saturday Part 1- The beginning of the saga. The weather was nice and breezy very different from the hot 100 degree weather that've been having to get used to. Walking up to the main gate of Disneyland is my favorite part. I like humming the tunes and strolling the the esplanade. Main street looked absolutely amazing as it was when Walt first welcomed guest into his magic kingdom. As I strolled down the street the aromas of fresh popped popcorn, candy apples, and corn dogs filled the air and made each breath delicious. We went on every ride probably twice before 8pm rolled around. I was really surprised I had expected that everyone wanted to be at Disneyland for 4th of July weekend. It got hotter during the day and their was no better way to cool off than enjoying two of my favorite treats in Disneyland a Mickey bar and Mint Julep.



The the last thing we did on Saturday was head over to California Adventure to view the all new nighttime spectacular Walt Disney Presents World of Color. World of color was absolutely amazing. We got in the Yellow section, which was the middle of Paradise Park, this provides a great view. It was a little confusing though. We were told to meet back over by Redwood Creek challenge trail to be led over to the viewing area by cast members before the show. However the when we got there we found that you actually didn't need to report to the check in area you can just go pick out a spot luckily we got there pretty early and found a good spot.

The show was awesome from intro to end! The favorite part of the show for me was the villians scene. From Pirates to the Stampede , I was on the edge of my toes. All the fire lit up the night. The heat form the fire warmed our faces even though we were a pretty good distance away. The Chernabog scene right now is actually better than I thought it was going to be. The show brought out a range of emotions which something Disney does better than anyone else. I was excited before the show, happiness washed over me when I looked on and saw Buzz and Woody, sadness during the Lion King scene and anger at the end because it was over.
The water effects were crisp and clear and all done very well.

The most interesting scene was the finale. After a certain cat makes his appearence, it bascially shows you what you've seen in the show. A very well done finale. The show was really a world of color and it showcased all of the movies that Walt himself loved and ones that all of us today identify as the classics. From the Little Mermaid to Wall E and everyone in between. I was happy to see that Tiana and Naveen in the the finale scene and Dr. Facilier in the villains scene. I rather enjoyed the show and it is definitely worth staying out at DCA to see. (there were 3 showings when I was there).

Here are some tips for if your planning to see the show.
1. Go get a fastpass for the show by Grizzly River Run or by California Screamin. It is the FIRST THING you should do when you get into the park.

2. Be sure to stick around for the exit music. The fountains remain on until the exit music ends. It's a great way to view the water effects if you're not close enough during the show.


Part 2 tomorrow!

T-minus 50 days and counting

So I am finally within the 50 day milestone waiting for my check in date at Disney World. This Friday I am actually going down to talk with the family travel agent Stacy over aT AAA to book my flight and hotel. Since there are special room rates going on at Disney duringy check in period I have decided to stay on property at the All- Stat Movies resort." for the couple days before check in.

So there has been a lot that's happened since my last post and not all of it is Disney related so I'll hop into that real quick. I saw Grown Ups ,the movie staring Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, David Spade and the rest if the crew. It was a pretty good movie. It reminded a lot of my friends and I in a way. After they grow up and see each other after 28 years and it feels like nothing has changed.

This weekend I had a special visitor come stay of for the day. My family loves when she comes over. I sorta think they like her more than me. Which I can't really blame them for because in my eyes she comes a really close second to myself lol. JK but we all had a great fun time when she was here. My aunt got a new phone this past weekend and it made me really want a new phone. Gosh iPhone hurry up and be available. Anyway The magic is 7 weeks away and I'm so excited!! See ya on Main Street!

To Infinity and Then Some!!

Last night I went to the midnight showing of a movie. I have seen many movies before and I've been excited to see all of them, but last night was different. Last night as I took my seat in a theater filled with people that were all pretty much my age, which I didn't expect to see at all, I began to drift back to the day when I was 6 years old sitting down watching the screen with so much anticipation waiting to see the first movie which would soon become my favorite Disney movie Toy Story. Last night as the movie began I started to feel the gravity of it all. This wasn't going to be just another Pixar movie, this was the end of a legacy and a fitting one at that or was it as they always say with Disney there's never really an end.


Now I will try not to be as bias as I can be in this little review of Toy Story 3. With that said, it is my opinion that Toy Story 3 could be one of THE best movies I have ever seen in my life. It encompassed everything that is expected of Disney Pixar and more. The imagination, scale and scope brings to life a great story, a story that Walt himself would have been very proud of. It had action scenes with a great escape sequence, it had comedy with the spanish speaking Buzz Lightyear and it was sooo full of emotion. There was a time when I wanted to look back and see how many people would be crying in the theaters.

I think what was most enjoyable about Toy Story 3 to me, was the characters Woody and Buzz and all of them are "people" because their characters are so lifelike and dynamic. Then I realized it wasn't an accident

They've grown older since the second movie and its visible with the attention to detail that has been praised about in every Pixar movie. Andy is preparing to go to college, faced with the conflict every child has when it's time to put away playful things. I know for me personally it stuck a chord because I feel like there has been a calling for me that its time for me to put away the childish things. Not through them away per say just put them into the attic for when Im ready for them when I have children.

Toy Story 3 is a roller coaster that picks up right from the beginning and never lets you off, as Woody attempts to rescue his friends from Sunnyside Daycare. The stakes get higher and higher, until a high climax which is so dark that for a moment I really believed this could be the final chapter. Toy Story 3 ends and resolves everything, leading to a sort of curtain call where Andy introduces all of his toys and gives them the one thing that all those toys were dying for to be played with. I was fighting back the tears myself.

But this wasn't the sad farewell that everyone expected. Toy Story 3 contains its share of laughs, my favorites were Barbie falling for Ken, to Spanish Buzz with his Dancing with the Stars routine, and Mr. Potatoe head turning into a tortilla.

This is probably one of my favorite movies. I have ever seen. I recommend that everyone see it!!

Sweet Sixteen!!!

Just a quick little post here thats not really Disney related but mostly Laker related. So the only team in the NBA that I have been a fan of played in a pivotal game 7. Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers win their 16th NBA world Championship (2nd straight, 5th by Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher and 11th for Phil Jackson.

My Disney Chronicles

So here is a list of things that I think are must dos while I'm down at the World.

1. Taming the Mountains of the Magic Kingdom(Splash, Big Thunder, and Space).

2. Ride every ride in all the four parks.

3. Work 18hrs in one day.( For reasons that are beyond explanation)

4. Spend an entire day at a park from the minute it opens until it closes.

5. Eating around the world at Epcot.

6. Catch Wishes and Illuminations on the same night.

7. Ride Space mountain 25 times in one day.

8. Eat at the California Grill at the Contemporary while Wishes is going on.

9. Drinking around the World.

10. Do the Monorail Bar Hop.

11. Karaoke

12. Play a round of Golf on a Disney course

13. Do the Dolphins in Depth Tour.

14. The Keys to the Kingdom Tour.

15. Try and drink 3 cups of Beverly at Club Cool in Epcot.

That's pretty much all I have for now. Until I think of some more things that i would like to do.

Disney Decisions

So far today has awesome. It's nice and cool outside which is a lot better than the sweltering heat that has been here the past couple days. Anyway let's get down to business.

So my buddy Kevin and I are faced with a little dilemma. Where to stay in Florida when we get there before we check in? There are a couple of things to consider. The first thing is we are flying down, because I'm not allowed to drive my truck from California( which is a 40+ hour drive if you drive continuously) so we won't have a car. The second is that we would like to be as close to Vista Way (Check-in) as possible. Thirdly is the price. The more we save before the program starts the more we have to spend the first couple of weeks. So it basically comes down to staying on property at a Disney resort or off property at place near Vista.

I love to stay on property when I go to Disney because there is sooo much to do outside of going to the parks. There is Downtown Disney of course which is a popular place to go and hang out and what not. There are a range of restaurants and shops. Then there is the less known Boardwalk by Hollywood Studios and Epcot. I have a feeling the Kevin and I will be spending that first night over there at the Boardwalk because one of my favorite places is located there. It's a Dueling Pianos Bar known simply as Jellyrolls. I will be writing a blog later going more in dept about the awesomeness of Jellyrolls just know that it comes highly recommended.

Another reason staying on property is a good choice is that transportation from Orlando International to Disney using the magical express is free!! Which saves us from having to get a taxi and spending bank because WDW is like 35 mins away from MCO airport. Truly the only downside is the price. We will be looking into any deals through AAA or MEI mouse fan travel to score some discounts. The most likely resorts would be the All-Star movies, Pop Century, or Port Orleans.

The off-property resort we were thinking of is the Holiday Inn Sunspree since it is located right across the street from the place we have to check in and it relatively inexpensive about $72 dollars a night. If you want to leave a comment and so input on your ideas feel free.

The Great Wait

So I am currently listening to Game 6 of the NBA finals on my couch. I'm listening to the game because my face is in a computer looking up and absorbing every scrap of knowledge about Disney world and the college program that I can.

For those that don't know this fall I will be working at the greatest place on Earth, Disney World on the Walt Disney World College Program. I will be working as an Attractions cast member (so working at the shows or a ride operator) I'm really hoping that I get to work in the Magic Kingdom and more specifically as a skipper on the world famous Jungle Cruise. There are a couple of reasons why I wanted to do the Disney college program the first and probably most important is that Disney is a big part of my life, and I can't really explain why it just is. It's my happy place. The one thing that I can honestly say I've wanted to do for all of my life. A crazy childhood dream that is actually coming true I guess. I hope that I work well enough to maybe score a full-time position, or come back as a seasonal cast member. The other reason is that I get to enjoy all that Disney World has to offer with some really great friends. Kevin and Brittany.

I am lucky enough to have my Fraternity pledge bro Kevin Whitehouse as my roommate. We will be leaving for Orlando Florida on August 16th and returning Jan 7th....maybe.

So I've decided to title this post The Great Wait because that is pretty much all I'm doing this summer is waiting. Since I only apply for a regular fall position the program doesn't start for me until August, but some of my new Disney Friends have been there since May!!!! Ahhhh!!!! Seeing all their pictures and stuff put up on Facebook makes me even more eager to get there!! The count as of today is 63 days away. Its just seems so far away. A bit of advice if you can choose to do the Fall advantage and go over the summer DO IT!!! The waiting around for summer to end is the worst.

So I am going to write on this as often as I can. Probably mostly to rant about different things that are going on currently and to give advice and what not to people that might be thinking about doing the college program in the future.
My family and friends at home Ill miss you guys but you can catch me every week on Itunes with a podcast show that my roommate Kevin and I will be putting on.

I guess thats all I have to say today....GO Lakers winning by 22!!