A Quick Update & Big News Revealed

You thought I'd gone on vacation and never came back-huh? I wish that was the case! July was a crazy month and I can't believe we're already into August. So here's a quick update on what's been going on/what's happening. Let's back up a little bit first.

After 4th of July weekend I went into overdrive mode to get ready for Workcamp. This years Workcamp was 36 high school students and 16 advisors going up to Maine to help work on homes for those in need. I was in charge of doing the pre-workcamp shopping trip, so all of the non-perishable, paper items etc. Luckily for me my mom was around and volunteered to help with the Cost-Co trip. We divided the 2 page list in half and each took a cart and got to work. Along with helping with group preparations, I needed to get all my tools/clothes together for myself. The Saturday after 4th of July we loaded everyone up on the bus and made our way up to Maine! 

Ready to roll out!

We spent an amazing week helping out the community and bonding with one another without the hassle of technology. Sadly, I had to leave a few days early to come back home for the Disney cruise that my WHOLE family was going on. Ok, maybe leaving for a cruise isn't too sad, but you catch my drift. Within the course of 24 hours I drove from Maine to NJ. Finished packing whatever I needed for the cruise that I hadn't done before I left for Maine and got some sleep. Woke up the next morning, got on the plane, and was in Florida in no time.

Top Pic: Maine on Friday
Bottom Pick: Florida on Saturday

Saturday night we went to Jellyroll's to celebrate my mom's birthday before we all had to head off for the cruise the next morning. Sunday I started off with a quick run around the Boardwalk (one of my favorite Disney running spots) and then the 12 of us got ready to say Bon Voyage! 

The Grandkids

For 4 nights we sailed on the Disney Dream enjoying all it had to offer. We rode slides in Nassau, ran the Castaway Cay 5K, and conquered the Aqua Duck! I'll do a full post on the cruise and on the 5K because there was just so much to offer and we had an absolute blast.

Since we've been back my focus has been on cleaning and packing because Bryan and I will be moving back to Florida!! It wasn't an easy decision but it's one we're very excited about. We'll be relocating back to the Orlando area (which first thing that popped into my mind was-I can #runalltheraces)! I have an addiction people. Anyways, in less than 2 weeks we'll be in the sunshine state. So sorry if posts are lacking and sporadic but I hope to be sharing lots of good news with you as the move progresses. 

QOTD: Have you ever been on a Disney cruise? Where's your favorite place you've moved to? What kind of fun stuff do you want me guys to keep you updated on once I'm back in Orlando?

Recipe: Frozen Chocolate Covered Bananas

My Mom, Grandma, and Aunt...and all our desserts

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day with the important ladies in your lives! Our family headed over to my aunt's house for lots of food, sangria, and beautiful weather. My mom and I were in charge of desserts and we came across a recipe for frozen chocolate covered bananas and knew it would be perfect! This happens to be one of my aunt's favorite treats at Disney so we knew we had to make it. 

Recipe adapted from Epicurious.com

Frozen Chocolate Bananas
Makes 12

Ingredients:

• One Bunch Bananas
• 12 oz semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips (we made some of each!)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (we used coconut oil instead)
• Peanuts, Toffee, Sprinkles, whatever you would like to top your bananas with

• You'll also need popsicle sticks

Instructions:

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
2. Peel bananas and cut in half. Insert popsicle stick into each banana. Line on baking sheet and freeze for at least 15 minutes (I would suggest 30-minutes to an hour).
3. Before pulling the bananas out of the freezer, melt the chocolate chips until smooth.
4. Roll each frozen banana in the melted chocolate. I used a spoon to cover the bananas and found there was less of a chance the popsicle stick would come out of the banana
5. Immediately sprinkle toppings on chocolate dipped banana. Place back on baking sheet.
6. Freeze at least 30 minutes until chocolate sets. Serve out of freezer or store in freezer in airtight container for up to one week.

Viola, your own chocolate covered frozen banana! These will be great treats on the warm summer days that are coming!

QOTD: What's your favorite frozen Disney treat?

Where in the (Walt Disney) World Wednesday- California Grill

California Grill is by far my favorite signature restaurant, or any restaurant for that matter, on Disney property. I have visited many times, and most recently Lauren and I ate there for our celebratory meal the day before our first half marathon. It has been newly refurbished with a slightly newer menu, some items changing just a bit with the seasons and some completely new and wonderful dishes. 

I have always tried to get a reservation a little bit later in the evening. If you go around the time of the Magic Kingdom fireworks you can actually watch them from the observation deck on the 15th floor of Disneys Contemporary Resort, where the California Grill is located. The Lights will dim and the music that is synchronized with the fireworks will be played in the restaurant and outside on the observation deck—"immersing Guests in the magic of the night." It's truly such a wonderful experience. Dining before the fireworks and still want to experience the show from this very cool view point? Not to worry! Bring your receipt to the check-in desk on the 2nd floor for reentry to the California Grill. Then, enjoy the show either from the California Grill Lounge or the outside observation deck.

If you are on the Disney Dining plan this meal will be worth 2 sit down meal credits. It is definitely worth it and will not disappoint. When we visited in November, I told them we were celebrating our first half marathon when I made the reservation back in April. When we arrived our table had a little something special on it for our celebration.

Lauren had the Oak-fired filet of beef with local tomato risotto, baby vine tomatoes, petite basil, and tomato butter. This is still on the menu! 

My curry crusted scallop dish with a pumpkin ravioli was seasonal and is no longer on the menu, but it sure was delicious. 

We got a dessert because we were on the Disney dining plan, creme brûlée, and of course they added some Disney magic to get us pumped up and congratulate us on our half marathon. 

I've always enjoyed eating here. The food and wine selection is amazing with a great atmosphere to match. I highly recommend trying this signature restaurant if you haven't already. 

-Kayla 

QOTD: What is your favorite signature Disney restaurant? 

Where in the (Walt Disney) World Wednesday-Be Our Guest

Every Wednesday we're going to be posting "Where in the (Walt Disney) World Wednesday." These posts will be our favorite places, activities, tips, restaurants etc about the Walt Disney World Resort.

Our first installment will feature Be Our Guest Restaurant. We chose Be Our Guest as the restaurant where we celebrated our completion of Wine and Dine. It was Kayla's first experience here but I had dined here once before for a lunch and a dinner. Overall it is still new and novelty to me so I was not opposed to going back! When we arrived we checked into the host stand and were given a buzzer. We waited a few minutes and then we were summoned across the bridge into the Beast's castle. Once inside you're greeted by spectacular views of the ballroom, which is where we were seated. There are two other rooms open, the west wing (where the rose is kept), and the garden room. All three rooms are open during lunch as well.

The Ballroom

Our waitress happened to be a fellow runner and training for Dopey. She suggested protein for dinner to help with our recovery. Kayla ordered the Salmon and I ordered the Lamb Rack. Our food came out quickly and was absolutely delicious, no complaints here. 

Refueling after hitting the parks all day!

 Even though we were stuffed we had to try the gray stuff. Let me tell you it was delicious, especially when it comes on top of a brownie. Previously, you had to be celebrating something and the gray stuff was brought to you at the discretion of your waiter/waitress. Now everyone is free to order it off the menu. 

Try the gray stuff, it's delicious!

Periodically during dinner the master (Beast) would walk through the ballroom then greet guests in the library (the same room where lunch quick-service orders are taken). Once you had finished your meal you were free to go have your photo taken with the Beast. 

Beast was jealous of our medals.
We were jealous of his castle.

We made our reservations 180 days in advance (the earliest you can make them) which is always recommended. In a past trip I have gone up to the host stand around 4/4:30 and asked if they were taking walk ups. Occasionally they will take you right around 4 without a reservation but it's not always a guarantee. Also, in the days leading up to your visit, there may be some cancellations so keep checking! 

All in all we were very happy with our Be Our Guest experience and think it is well worth the 1 sit down credit if you are on the Disney Dining Plan. Don't forget that if you can't get a dinner reservation you can always go for the quick-service lunch. We both look forward to dining at Be Our Guest again in the future!

Lauren

QOTD: Have you dined or would you like to dine at Be Our Guest for dinner? What were your impressions?

Welcome!

Kayla and I are going to give this blogging thing a shot! Kayla and I became friends when we were roommates on the Disney College Program. We made so many memories together while living in the most magical place on earth. Now we're living six hours apart but still motivating each other and continuing to build on our friendship.

We discovered the wonderful world that is RunDisney last November at the Wine & Dine Half, our first half marathon ever! We were a little sad we didn't discover it sooner--like when we were living at Disney (that would've been too convenient). Now, we're committed to healthier lifestyles, thanks to motivation from the most magical place on earth.

We want our blog to be a place where we can reveal our Disney Parks tips, tricks and expertise. In exchange we hope you'll learn with us as we navigate the new territory for us that is RunDisney. Along the way we'll also talk about our favorite products we've discovered, some new recipes we've tried, or how our latest workout it going. 

Welcome to our journey from CAST members to HALF marathoners, we can't wait to share it with you!


Lauren


QOTD: What would you like to see on our blog?