Pop Century Review

Let me start with saying in my opinion Pop Century is by far my most favorite value resort. I have stayed there probably over 50 stays. When we have the chance and they are available that is where we go.

Pop Century opened in 2003. It was meant to have 2 different areas, the Classic years and Legendary years. What was to be The Legendary years part is now the Art of Animation. The Classic years go from 1950's to the 1990's.

Pop Century is located in the Wide World of Sports area, which means it is closest to Hollywood Studios. Pop takes you through the decades. It brings me back to my childhood when I go into the lobby and see the cute little displays from the decades. I show my kids what we had growing up as kids. They have cute little displays of toys and gadgets from each decade. They even have you dancing in the lobby at certain times. It's really fun!

Pop has 3 pools. The big one up front is called the Hippy Dippy pool. It is so cute with its flower shaped sprayers. Even the pool bar is taken back to the 60's! The other pools are located in different areas. There is a big bowling pin pool and a big computer pool.

Among the room you will see giant icons like a huge Mickey mouse phone, a huge cell phone, a Big Wheel, and many more icons.

Pop also has a jogging trail, a playground, and an arcade to entertain the kids for the off times that you're not in a park.

The rooms are an average of 260 square feet, usually have 2 double beds, a table, 2 chairs, and a 32 in, TV.

There is a store to get your souvenirs and odds and ends. Dining is like the other value resorts. One of my favorite things about Pop is Mom's night out meal! This is a special meal, just like we had as a kid, it comes in a tray just like an old fashioned TV dinner. The other favorite is the tye dyed cheesecake! It will dye your lips blue, or red, or green!! It is soooo good!!! They also have pizza delivery.

The rooms are nicely done, like the other values, with themed pictures and wallpaper.

Here are some pics from my trips...enjoy!!!

These soccer players are 12 ft tall!!!

This big wheel can hold 644 lb kid!

Mom's night out meal!

                                                   

                                                                

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Parade Viewing Magic Courtesy of FastPass+

We have all seen, or even been, those people who park a family member somewhere in front of the castle or on Main Street USA hours before a parade starts in order to get an unblocked view of the artistry that is a Disney parade. That person sits, typically with a defeated look, watching other families pass by sharing magical memories, knowing that his or her family is exploring the magic as well. Sure this person gets interaction, but it is mainly from other families asking if the space next door, clearly covered by a jacket or shopping bag, is vacant and available for their chosen family member, to which the answer of course is no. Saving seats for parade viewing, for some families, makes any given parade seem like the longest wait in the park.

Well, over the holiday season, our family said goodbye to having a token seat saver, and hello to FastPass+ provided by MagicBands. MagicBands, still in their testing phases, are currently bestowed upon guests who consider a Disney resort home for their vacation stay. These magical pieces of arm candy serve as a room key, easy mode of payment if linked to a credit card, your entrance to the park if desired, and your only opportunity to take part in the new FastPass+ system. We were the lucky recipients of MagicBands during our stay at the Art of Animation Resort in October, and we linked our bands to our annual passes. Linking them to our passes allows us to use these magical bands and all of their powers for every time we visit the parks. Why is this completely awesome you may ask? Well, the MagicBands allow you to take part in the FastPass+ system which gives the power to pre-select up to three fast passes for any given visit. The bonus of course is that the FastPass+ system will allow you to get a fast pass for entertainment like parades or fireworks. Getting a fast pass for a parade, gives you exclusive prime viewing that is reserved for only those who have the fast pass, which is the most amazing way to watch a parade.

First, cast members rope off arguably the best spot to view a parade, which is directly across from the castle. This of course means that the castle can be the backdrop for any photo taken. But wait, it gets better. Since you have a fast pass for this area, you are only allowed to enter between ten and twenty minutes prior to parade time. That's right, prime viewing, and no hours of waiting. But wait, that's not all! Not only is this space amazing for photo opportunities, but the space that they rope off is huge, and the amount of people who actually take advantage of using a fast pass for a parade is very few, so you aren't stuffed into an area like a sardine. I know that I am usually squished into an area with strangers, sometimes ones who are smelly, who are pushy and not always considerate of tiny human parade viewers. So, this experience was absolutely, hands down, the best. Literally no one was standing behind me, there was at least five feet between my back and the end of the roped off area, and there was a good couple of feet between us and the family next to us. My little princess and prince had unblocked views of everything, and were even the recipients of high fives and personal waves from characters. Seriously, this was the best parade viewing experience of my life, and theirs so far. If you have the opportunity to use the FastPass+ system, I highly recommend taking advantage of the parade or firework viewing option. I know we won't ever again watch a parade or fireworks in any other way. So, thank you MagicBands and the FastPass+ system, now we can enjoy every experience with our entire family!

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Will's Bucket List

There is so much out there that is Disney related. As a self-professed Disney geek, I would love to do the following things. So, here is my bucket list.

1) Disney cruise. I don't care where it goes, I just want to cruise with my buddy Mickey Mouse.

2) Dine at the Chef's Table at Victoria and Albert's.

3) Stay at the Grand Californian over Christmas.

4) Visit Disneyland Paris.

5) Visit Hong Kong Disney.

6) Ride one ride in each of the 6 major parks between Disney World and Disneyland on the same day.

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Amy's Bucket List

When it comes to Disney, of course I want to experience absolutely everything. However, there are a few experiences which definitely top the list. Here are my absolute top five:

1. Visit Disneyland Paris. I have never been to Europe, and could not imagine making the trip across the Atlantic without a visit to Mickey's European home. Also, rumor has it, that runDisney may be adding a Disneyland Paris 1/2 Marathon, and if this is true, then a visit to Disneyland Paris just became even more of a highest priority Disney bucket list item!
2. Receive a runDisney Coast to Coast medal. This coveted medal is given to those who run at least a half marathon in Walt Disney World and in Disneyland within a calendar year. The one for 2014 is pink, and I love all things pink so it will be mine!
3. Experience a Disney Cruise. I have cruised before, but never on the floating wonderland which only Disney can provide.
4. Eat at every table service restaurant in the Walt Disney World Resort. With my love of food and experiencing all things Disney, this item is already close to being complete.
5. Yell "Andy's Coming" in the presence of Woody. Rumor has it, if this is done, Woody will drop down and pretend to be in toy form, or as Doc McStuffins would say, he will "go stuffed".

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Disney Vanilla fudge recipe

If you are like me, have a sweet tooth, and want to have a piece of Disney made in your own kitchen, you are going to love this recipe!

 Disney's Vanilla Fudge:
1 1/2 cups of butter
1 13 oz (one 12 oz can, plus 2 tablespoons) of evaporated milk
1 pound of brown sugar
2 cups of granulated sugar
1/8 tsp salt
1 pound of confectionery sugar
1 tsp vanilla

What do I do next?
Combine butter with milk and brown sugar in a 6 qt saucepan, heat over medium heat. Add salt and bring to a boil until it reaches the soft ball stage. (This for me took a while to get to, just keep stirring).
Once that is done, take off the heat and let it cool in the pot for 20 minutes.
Beat in confectionery sugar and vanilla with electric mixer until thick. Use some butter spray to butter pan, use a 9 inch pan, and smear it all in. Put in fridge to cool at least 1-3 hrs!

This was pretty easy to make. The taste alone is worth it!! It has almost a butter cream taste to it.

This is how mine turned out. It wasn't as thick as some, but sooo good!!!!

Ingredients

While cooking

Finished product

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Bippity Bobbity Boutique Review

For my daughter's birthday, we surprised her with a makeover at Bibbity Bobbity Boutique. She had no idea we had planned this. We made the reservations and kept it a secret for a month. So, after we took her to Hollywood Studios, we told her we needed to go pick something up in Downtown Disney.

Bibbity Bobbity Boutique has 2 locations, one in Downtown Disney and the other in Magic Kingdom.  I wanted to book at MK, but they were full. Word of advice, book early, this is a very popular thing for the kids to do. So, DTD it was as this was our gift to our daughter from me and my hubby. Booking was super easy, they greet you with a magical phone call of sorts, it's really cute.

We got to the DTD location about an hour and 45 minutes early. It's recommended to be at least an hour early. They took us back within 15 minutes. They asked us if she had a dress to get changed into and we did.  Another word of advice: For those who are frugal like me, bring the outfit with you, it's a huge money saver. Go to your local Disney store in the mall or online if you don't have a local one.

So, my daughter went in and got changed. They have a special changing room to get changed if you bring your outfit with you. She still had no clue what was going on. We went out and the lady at the counter said, "'Princess Jordan, your carriage is ready for you'"! We went into this really pretty purple room filled with Fairy Godmothers in training. Princess Jordan's chair was ready for her.

Another good tip: Have your child's hair ready, brushed out, take out the pony tail etc; it makes it easier on them.

My daughter sat in the chair and picked out which hairstyle she wanted. I was hoping she would go for the Fairytale Princess and she did.

There are 4 different hairstyles to choose from:
Fairytale Princess, Disney Diva, Pop Princess, and Color star.

So, now on to picking the color of her mini crown, Hidden Mickey Barette, and the face gem. 

Then you pick which level of experience you would like. We chose the coach.
The levels are:
Coach: Hair, make up, gem, sash and tote
Crown: Just like coach, only they add the nails.
Courtyard: Just like coach, though they include a t shirt and tutu.
Castle: You get hair, nails, gem, costume, accessories, nails, make up, sash, tote, and 6 5x8, 4 4x6 pics and a photo holder.

Since my daughter is not a total girly girl, we just went with the coach for her, which she was happy with.

If you choose a costume to buy they have: Ariel, Snow White, Aurora, Belle, Jasmine, Cinderella, Tink, Tiana, Rapunzel, Merida, and now they offer Sofia.

 After picking out all the items, up went her hair. They use gel and hair glue to get it to stay so sleek. Up in a super high pony tail it went and with some Disney magic, Princess Jordan was being transformed from a normal little girl to a Fairytale Princess. Everything was Princess. The mini crown was placed, they added a little makeup and the face gem, handed her a shield (to protect all the hard work already done), and on went the tons of glitter! After this is done, they call the photographer over to catch a photo. They tell the child to close their eyes, they are spun around, and told to open their eyes. Of course, I cried!

The child gets down off the chair and shows everyone the new look. She was sooo beautiful.

You are then handed the bill and head to the counter to pay.  You also receive the prettiest BBB bag ever. My daughter cherishes this bag so much. It is all pink and glittery.

In DTD, if you get there early, they actually have a parade where all the kids that were made over can participate and they walk around DTD. It is really cute.

 Hours at BBB in DTD: 9:30am-6pm, MK: 8am-7pm.

The transformation is amazing, the amount of time spent can differ, from 30 minutes to an hour is the normal time. The ages for this are ages 3-12. The prices range from $54.95 to $189.95 plus tax. Princess Sofia is $64.95. They also do a boys package now. Its called a Knight package for 15.95. They do hair gel, sword and a shield, and then they do confetti in the hair.

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Mickey Gingerbread cookies

The Mickey Gingerbread cookies are just the cutest thing I have ever seen. I am kicking myself for not buying the cookie cutter and the mix, but guess what, I found the recipe, so we will be making Gingerbread Mickey heads some time this week.

Here is the recipe:
Gingerbread cookies
1/4 cup of unsalted butter
1/2 cup of brown sugar
1/2 cup of dark molasses
3 1/2 cups of all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp of ground cloves
1 tsp of ground cinnamon
3 tsp of ground ginger
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground cardamom
1/2 cup of water

Royal icing:
1/8 tsp of cream of tarter
2 egg whites
3 1/2 cups of powdered sugar

Directions:
In a large mixing bowl cream butter and brown sugar.
Add dark molasses and mix till blended.
Sift the dry ingredients together and add to butter mixture, 1/3 at a time, alternating with the water.
Blend well.
Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least an hour.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease cookie sheet, roll dough onto lightly floured surface and cut into shapes.
Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.
Cool on wire rack
Decorate with royal icing when cooled.

Royal icing:
Add cream of tarter to egg whites in a chilled mixing bowl.
Beat with an electric mixer at high speed until peaks form.
Reduce speed and gradually add sifted powdered sugar.
Continue to whip frosting until smooth, spreadable consistency is reached.
Spoon into decorator bag, or you can use freezer bags and cut the corner off.
You can also add red and green candies.

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