Christmas at two parks

Posted on by Ian C.

With four Disney parks nearby, and an annual pass, we rarely go to Seaworld (even more rare to Universal); but a trip to Discovery Cove earlier this year gave free entry to Seaworld for a few months, so we went this past weekend to see what they do for Christmas – and we were impressed!
First stop was the Clyde & Seamore sealion show. It was closed when we visited for Halloween and now we know why; it was re-themed for Christmas with different colors, lights, etc (and a Santa themed story)! Next was O Wondrous Night, with nativity story, carols, and real animals!

 

Later, we watched the Sea Of Trees, more than 100 Christmas trees with animated lighting synchronized to music and able to show detailed images (including Shamu!), finishing the evening with fireworks over the water – pretty!


Of course I would claim that Disney is “king of the parks” – at Magic Kingdom there are regular Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party events as Christmas approaches. Unlike Seaworld, these are additional cost (about $60 each); one justification is that the park is quieter as the tickets are restricted, but we arrived to big crowds with hardly a chance to see the Christmas themed parade! Later on, the Magic Kingdom fireworks were very different to normal, enhanced for the special evening – but again crowds left us with a tree-obstructed view some of the time …

It was noticeably quiet in other areas of the park; we were able to enjoy all three Mountains (Space, Splash, Thunder), Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, and even Ariel’s Journey of the Little Mermaid, with queues no more than a few minutes (and sometimes, just the time taken to walk the length of the empty queue area).

Apart from the shorter queues, and the very nice “free” Cocoa, there was little to distinguish Magic Kingdom; no real Christmas theming on the rides, and minimal theming elsewhere except the lights on Main Street. So really, we were paying a premium for shorter queues. Maybe that’s enough justification, but it did leave me thinking that Disney is less “magical” than it is supposed to be; and more impressed with Seaworld than I was previously.

The Discovery of Chocolate

Posted on by Ian C.

This afternoon, we headed back to Epcot to enjoy The Discovery of Chocolate as part of the International Food & Wine festival, not quite knowing what to expect – and being utterly wowed by what was presented!
Local chef David Ramirez, and a Disney presenter, provided about 100 attendees with incredible chocolate-related food samples, along with a complementing (and complimentary) wine, Rosa Regale.
We sat down with a glass already poured, and four little sample containers; the containers offered tastes of a “part processed” chocolate from Ecuador, in 50% to 80% chocolate mass concentrations, making for a fascinating comparison of chocolate, bitter, and other flavors while moving between percentages (and due to the samples coming from different companies, it was not a simple progression in flavors, either!)

Next we were presented with a sample entree, while David discussed the creation and experimentation needed to bring the final result to us; on offer was a pork with chocolate highlights, and an unbelievable hazelnut macaroon again including chocolate but with a filling of feta cheese, cucumber, hints of chili and cinnamon, just a stunning taste!

We then watched the creation of the macaroon through the blending of egg white and boiled water/sugar to an “italian meringue” style, then adding almond flour and I lost track of how many other ingredients, blended and eventually to be baked (we’d been offered a presentation of either the pork of the macaroon, but everyone in the room wanted to know more – and probably taste more – of the macaroon!)

While watching that presentation, we were delivered another incredible taste in the form of a strong chocolate dessert, each bite to be savored!

Finally, we headed home with a sample of the same four “percentage” chocolates, but now fully prepared and blended in what will no doubt be another perfect experience – saved for now …