We ordered a few different appetizers off the menu so we could test them. None of them were foods I cared for so, I didn’t try any. Our server shared with us the story behind the famous Cobb salad, which was originally created in 1937 at the Original Brown Derby in Hollywood by Robert Cobb for theatre magnate Sid Grauman.  In case you didn’t know the Cobb Salad is made up of finely chopped greens, turkey breast, egg, bacon, tomatoes, crumbled bleu cheese, avocado, chives and Cobb dressing.

For my entree I chose the Grilled Rib Eye Steak – with arugula, crispy sweet onions, gorgonzola, red bliss potatoes, and oven-dried tomato vinaigrette and it was to die for! For dessert I chose the signature dessert of the Hollywood Brown Derby, the Grapefruit Cake. It was good but I enjoyed helping Tina finish off her Bananas Foster much better!

Have you ever eaten at the Hollywood Brown Derby? What is your favorite menu item? Leave me a comment and let’s talk.

The post Hollywood Brown Derby appeared first on The Mom Maven.

This amazing resort boasts 295 spacious rooms ranging from studios to the 3 bedroom, 4 bath, multiple balconied  grand villas. Due to the resort’s location, guests have a choice of the standard view, Bay Lake view or the awe inducing Magic Kingdom view.

The crescent shaped resort beautifully compliments the A-framed Contemporary Resort to which it is attached. Bay Lake Tower is connected to The Contemporary Resort by the Sky Way Bridge (not the one in St. Petersburg). This room key accessible, covered walkway connects Bay Lake Tower to the restaurants, shops and monorail station of The Contemporary.

Sky Way Bridge

The resort lobby is modern and warm. The color palate used throughout the resort is very contemporary yet warm and inviting.

lobby

We toured a Grand Villa Suite with Magic Kingdom View. When we stepped into the suite there was a collective gasp as we saw the view from the 2-story window. I actually got goosebumps when I entered!

The View

The Kitchen

The loft sitting area

The master bedroom

The Disney artwork that hangs on the walls of this resort is very modern yet classy.

View from jaccuzzi tub

This picture doesn’t do it justice but you can sit in the jaccuzzi tub with the sliding wall open to the master bedroom and have the curtains open and watch the fireworks over Cinderella Castle! Turn your surround sound television to channel 20 and you can even listen to the narration and music for Wishes! I’m thinking add some chocolate covered strawberries and it could be the perfect evening

Bay Lake Tower offers a Mickey shaped pool, a kids splash fountain and awesome looking pool slide as part of it’s recreational features.

We are not DVC (Disney’s Vacation Club) owners, though we have dreamed about it. A stay at Bay Lake Tower will cost you anywhere from 12 points per night for a standard view studio to 153 points per night for this spectacular grand villa with Magic Kingdom View, depending on the season. Non-DVC owners can stay here on rented points or, when there are rooms available, they may stay here for anywhere between $395-$2000 per night depending on the room size, view and season. The #magicalmoms I toured with discussed each chipping in $167 + tax and having a one night reunion in this incredible suite.* I think it’s worth it!

*Disney does have minimum length of stay rule on most DVC resort stays so unfortunately this dream probably won’t become a reality.

Next time I’ll show you the very exclusive Top of the World Lounge at Bay Lake Tower.

The post Disney’s Bay Lake Tower Resort appeared first on The Mom Maven.

The Hall of Presidents is updated regularly with each new US President being added. Other than the addition of new presidents, the attraction was basically unchanged from 1971-1993. In 1993 the script was changed, much to the chagrin of Disney and US History purists. The narrator was also changed from Lawrence Dobkin to Maya Angelou. For me personally, this major overhaul did not improve the attraction. Though I have visited Walt Disney World many more times between 1993-2009 than I did 1971-1993, I have entered the Hall of Presidents fewer times since 1993’s changes. In 2001 actor J.D. Hall re-recorded the narration previously done by Ms Angelou.

On July 4, 2009 the Hall of President’s re-opens after undergoing more updating. Yes, President Barak Obama gives a speech, as have the past two presidents. The new narrator is Morgan Freeman who has a much more commanding voice than Hall. The attraction has also been retitled: Hall of Presidents: A Celebration of Liberty’s Leaders. Other upgrades include Abraham Lincoln giving the Gettysburg Address, and for the first time in the history of the attraction, George Washington stands and gives a stirring speech.

Though I am not a fan of President Obama, I am a fan of Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, the Hall of Presidents and Walt Disney World. I am eager to witness the upgraded attraction and I hope the the minor historical inaccuracies of the last major upgrade have been fixed.

Here is video, direct from the White House website of President Obama recording his speech for the Hall of Presidents.

I must say, I find it hard to believe that he didn’t know what the attraction was or what it was about. No, Mr President, they are not wax figures, they are audio-animatronics. Please, do your girls a favor and bring them to Walt Disney World on vacation like most Americans. What are your thoughts? Any special memories of the Hall of Presidents? Leave me a comment and let me know.

The post Disney’s Hall of Presidents Re-Opens July 4th appeared first on The Mom Maven.

Every Thursday Heidi at Reviews by Heidi hosts a Disney themed photo meme called Destination Disney. Each week she posts a different topic and we post photos and/or a story about that part of our previous Walt Disney World vacations. It is a lot of fun and gives me another reason to dig through my Disney photos.

This week’s topic is Animal Kingdom-Dinoland USA

Dinoland USA is a fun kitschy area of Animal Kingdom. There is The Boneyard-an amazing play area for kids. The Boneyard is a great place to let the kids run and play for a while-especially if they have spent a lot of time waiting in lines. Next is the Dinosaur ride. This ride is not for the faint of heart. It is a thrill ride and the ride itself is very jerky. I don’t recommend this for young children or people with back and neck issues.

The 1500 seat Theatre in the Wild orginally was home to Tarzan Rocks an awesome rock concert show based on the Disney’s Tarzan movie. The first picture is of Tarzan and Jane and the second is of the full stage and the extreme skating monkeys. The Theatre in the Wild is now home to Finding Nemo-The Musical. This is currently my favorite show on Disney property. I love the acting, scenery, puppetry and music. We own the soundtrack and listen to it all the time. None of my pictures for this show have come out well but trust me, this is a beautiful show and is not to be missed.

As you head into Chester and Hester’s Dino-rama, you go back to a 50’s style midway complete with games of chance, 2 rides and you may even get to have your picture taken with your hosts Chester and Hester. Triceratop Spin is a Dumbo-esgue ride. One of my all time favorite rides is also found in Dino-rama, Primeval Whirl. It is a wild mouse coaster with a twist. Each car also spins like a tilt-a-whirl car! It is so much fun! Here you have myself, my husband, my son Jordan and my father-in-law heading off on our Primeval Whirl adventure.

Dinoland USA is a lot of fun and has plenty of rides and shows to keep you entertained.

The post Destination Disney appeared first on The Mom Maven.