An exhibit in the Bijutsu-kan Gallery in World Showcase Japan has such a rich culture. When I think of Japan, my mind conjures up images of noble samurai warriors, serene temples, cherry blossoms, kimonos, and a tradition steeped in the concepts of honor, revering one’s elders, and loyalty to one’s people. The Japan pavilion in…
Author: Kristina Valcarce
My first Walt Disney World vacation was in 1976, and my first Disneyland experience was in 1995, when I moved to Los Angeles. I am a bi-coastal Disney nerd and proud of it!
Character Breakfasts at Disneyland
Pluto meets a fan at the PCH Grill Let’s say you’re planning a trip to Disneyland, the Happiest Place on Earth. You know you want to meet the characters. And you also know that at least once during your vacation, you want to enjoy a nice, long breakfast. Lucky for you, there are currently four…
The Disney Vacation Club Model at the Boardwalk
Welcome to the Boardwalk! My parents are now Disney Vacation Club members, and I’ve been able to stay at a DVC unit at the Polynesian Village Resort. In addition, I blogged about my parents’ DVC unit at the Grand Californian Hotel. I’ve also taken a tour of the model Aulani unit. And years ago, we…
The Disney Vacation Club Lounge at the Imagination Pavilion
Welcome to Epcot’s Disney Vacation Club Member Lounge! I always get excited when I visit new spots in a Disney theme park that I’ve never seen before. Now that my parents are Disney Vacation Club members, I got to visit the DVC Lounge in the Imagination pavilion at Epcot! The Disney Vacation Club lounge is…
Face Painting at Animal Kingdom
This face painting station is in Harambe, in the Africa section of the park The whole reason that I am so freakishly obsessed with Disney travel is that my parents brought my sister and me to Walt Disney World many times when we were growing up, starting all the way back in 1976. My parents recently…
Restaurant Review – Satu’li Canteen
The outdoor seating area of Satu’li Canteen In January, my family took our first trip to Walt Disney World since Pandora: The World of Avatar opened in Animal Kingdom. We knew we’d want to spend a lot of time in this new land, and we decided to have lunch at this area’s quick service location, Satu’li…
Restaurant Review – Katsura Grill at Epcot
The menu for Katsura Grill, outside of the restaurant Katsura Grill is a quick service restaurant in the Japan pavilion of Epcot’s World Showcase. Here, you can find such Japanese items such as sushi, tempura, ramen, udon, shrimp, curry, teriyaki, soup, rice and edamame. On the kids’ menu, you’ll find shrimp, chicken and beef teriyaki. Japanese…
Snack Review – Funnel Cakes at Epcot
The perfect spot for an All-American snack! One unusually cold morning in the first week of January, my family and I found ourselves outside the American Adventure pavilion in Epcot, feeling a little hungry. We decided it was time for funnel cakes! If you’ve never had a funnel cake, well, quite frankly, I feel sorry…
Restaurant Review – Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie
Welcome to Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie, in Epcot! Ah, Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie. You know those little unknown spots at Walt Disney World, the ones that no one seems to know about and you stumble upon by accident? Yeah, well, this isn’t one of them. Pretty much anyone who has ever stepped foot in Epcot will tell…
Restaurant Review: Garden Grove
Welcome to the Garden Grove, at the Swan Hotel! Guys. GUYS. Why are you not eating at the Garden Grove? I have a feeling you’re not, because we visited this character buffet on the first Thursday of the year, and were seated for dinner twenty minutes early in a half empty restaurant. The author with…
Dining Review – Il Mulino Lounge
Welcome to the lounge at Il Mulino, at the Swan Hotel! Il Mulino is a full service restaurant at the Swan Hotel. There is a lounge right outside the restaurant. On a trip in the first week of January, my family had a dinner reservation at Garden Grove, also in the Swan. We arrived early,…
Restaurant Review – Backlot Express
Welcome to the Backlot Express, at Hollywood Studios! The Backlot Express is a quick service dining establishment at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. I’d eaten here on a previous trip, and thought that the food was solid and acceptable. Plus, we found a table that looked out over the Jedi Training Academy, so we got lunch with…