Tonight, ABC finally put all the rumormongering to rest and announced the cast of Dancing with the Stars, Season I've Stopped Counting (just kidding, it's Season Eleven). Let's check the damage:
Brandy - Ick. If you kill someone, you don't get to be on a popular TV show. The end.
Jennifer Grey - She'll have the time of her life, all right.
Margaret Cho - Is this a joke? No really, is this a joke?
Audrina Patridge - I want to run for the Hills. Do. Not. Want.
Florence Henderson - Okay, so this season's Token Older Person is actually ... not bad. Team Florence!
Bristol Palin - Well, she can't be worse than Kate Gosselin, right? Right?!
Michael Bolton - I'm speechless. And now I have "Time Love & Tenderness" in my head.
The Situation - I pity his partner, but this is going to be AMAZING.
David Hasselhoff - I don't hate this. He could actually do really well, if he gets the audience on his side.
Kurt Warner - Blah blah blah token NFL star blah blah.
Kyle Massey - Um. Okaaaaayyyyy .... were there no other Disney Channel stars available?
Rick Fox - As a Celtics fan, I'm distraught. Rick, why did you have to go play for the Lakers? Let's settle on being frenemies and call it a day.
Of course, we can't start placing bets until we know who has which professional partner, but offhand, my money's on The Olympian. Oh wait, there's no Olympian this season? Then it's a total crapshoot.
Dancing with the Stars starts Monday, September 20. Consider yourself warned.
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Related Links:
* Troy Aikman is Bad at Secrets and Other DWTS News
* An Ode to Samantha Harris
August 30, 2010
Dancing with the Stars Season 11 Cast Announced: We've Got a Situation on Our Hands
August 27, 2010
The Great Sunburn of 2010, Plus: A Eucerin Skin Care Giveaway!
Two days before my last trip to WDW, my little sister graduated college. It was a proud day for all, and there was the added bonus of Bill Nye being the commencement speaker. In case you’re wondering:
Bill Nye then and now.
And as you would expect, Bill Nye is awesome in person.
But there was a dark side to this day. Being that it was a graduation, my family and I dressed in your typical garden party attire, took our seats in the folding chairs on the quad, and settled in for five hours of watching someone else’s kid take the stage. By the time the event was over, my sister was a grown-up, my camera was out of batteries, and I had the Most. Awkward. Sunburn. Ever. I’m talking short-sleeve lines, awkward scoop neckline, and the classic “One Side of Me was Facing the Sun More and Now I Look Like Two-Face from Batman” burn. In other words, the full trifecta. And did I mention I had booked us a private family photo session the day after our arrival? *
Sadly, this was not the first time I had to deal with Sunburn Shame. There was that time when I fell asleep in the sun on Long Beach and burned so badly it took almost a year for the line to fade. And who could forget the BlogHer Burn of 2008? The day before the conference I was left lobster-faced after a couple hours of goofing off by the Golden Gate Bridge. In 60 degree weather.
True, I have very fair skin. I sunburn through car windows. It is my curse. And the aforementioned accidents aside, skin care is not something I’m willing to play around with. Frankly, the leatherfaced trophy wives running rampant in NYC have scared me straight. Alabaster is the new tan! (Plus, you know, cancer.)
And so, when I went to this year’s BlogHer conference, I was happy to see Eucerin in attendance, because I’m a big fan. Reasonably priced, non-smelly, SPF lotion that doesn’t leave a slimy residue? Sold! I was extra thrilled to see what was included in the Eucerin swag bag:
Eucerin® Everyday Protection Body Lotion and Everyday Protection Face Lotion – These guys keep your skin healthy and protect against dry skin by moisturizing for 24 hours, helping to prevent skin aging and cancer, long-term damage and skin cancer by providing broad-spectrum sun protection. And they absorb quickly without any greasy feeling on the skin. These are a "must-pack" for any WDW trip.
And Eucerin Daily Skin Balance Hand Crème is a must-have in my purse. It’s great for keeping your hands moisturized against all kinds of environmental stress.
While I was at the booth, I also pledged to put my skin first, because – despite my love of Jersey Shore - tanning is super dangerous and not worth the risk. You can sign up to take the Eucerin Skin Pledge here, and they also have a quiz you can take to learn more about skin care.
GIVEAWAY! Thanks to Eucerin, I’m giving away the same swag bags (filled with the products listed above) that were handed out at the BlogHer conference to TWO lucky winners. Great for every day, even better to take with you on a day in the parks.
To enter, leave a comment below with your worst sunburn experience, WDW-related or otherwise. Flip-flop marks? Farmer’s tan? We’ve all been there. Share the shame, people. (Contest ends on August 31, 11:59 PM EST.) Good luck!
Updated: Thanks to Random.org, we have our winners! Congratulations to Amy from Occupation: Mommy and Kristen from The DVC Mom!
*Weird sunburn lines aside, the photo session was fabulous. I hope to do a full review of the experience soon.
**Disclosure: I received my Eucerin products for free while I was at the conference, but was not otherwise compensated for this review.
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Related Links:
* Disney on a Budget: When You Wish Upon an All-Star
* Project Future: The Inside Story Behind the Creation of WDW
August 25, 2010
August 23, 2010
Five (More) People You Meet in WDW
A few months ago, I posted a field guide to WDW, detailing some of the creatures you may encounter while visiting the jungles of the Disney theme parks. The response I received through Twitter and in the comments was amazing – not only had you met these creatures in the wild, but you spotted new species of your own! Inspired by your comments, I took careful notes on my last trip to WDW, and I discovered a few other species worth mentioning. Come aboard, explorers!
The Teen Wolves – Normally of the teenage boy variety, Teen Wolves are capable of spoiling any family vacation. Their shame of being seen in public with their family is only bested by their need to prove their manhood by destroying everything in their path. Teen Wolves can usually be found walking across the grass, using the queue rails to demonstrate gymnastic skills, standing while the ride is in motion, and anything else that is normally prohibited.
The Neon Army – Known by some commenters as “The Tour Group” or “Turismos,” the Neon Army goes beyond the typical group outing. Capable of numbering in the hundreds, the Neon Army swarms upon the unsuspecting parks, feasting on empty space and rare moments of quiet. They clog queue lines, talk during shows, stand in the middle of pathways, and generally bring shame upon their home countries. There are also subspecies of the Neon Army known as The Family Reunion, in which up to 50 people who share a gene pool visit the parks together while wearing matching t-shirts, or The Middle School Field Trip, in which several packs of Teen Wolves travel together and create mayhem. If you see the latter of these groups, quickly head in the opposite direction.
The Reluctant Riders – Often found on the more thrilling attractions, the Reluctant Riders are always joined by a more enthusiastic member of their party who has previously been on said attraction. If you are near a Reluctant Rider in line, you will be forced to listen to questions like, How fast does this ride go? No really, how fast? Would you say it’s faster than the Tomorrowland Speedway? Now, when you say “drop 13 stories,” it’s not really going to drop us, right? RIGHT?! The best way to quiet a Reluctant Rider is to turn around and tell them everything will be okay. The Reluctant Rider will become embarrassed at being publicly recognized for cowardice and will usually suffer the rest of the wait time in quiet, shaking terror.
The Space Invaders – The Space Invaders are the antithesis to the Space Cadets, mentioned in my previous guide. Space Invaders are so excited to get on a ride that they will stop at nothing to get there as fast as possible. This includes crossing the boundaries of personal space. If there is a Space Invader behind you, expect to be attacked by body odor, strong perfume/cologne, and a sharp pain when the Space Invader inevitably steps on your heels. Dirty looks have no effect on this group; if you are unlucky enough to have a Space Invader behind you, I recommend moving to the front of your party. Sorry Grandma, it’s every man for himself back there.
The Jerkfaces – Oh, the Jerkfaces. We’ve all seen them. Commonly described in words too salty for this blog, these guys think they rule the park and so the rules don’t apply to them. They can be found littering, smoking outside designated areas, taunting wildlife, climbing Mexican temples, and occasionally falling from the sky. Unfortunately, Jerkfaces are rarely brought to justice for their crimes against theme park etiquette. Normally I would endorse making a citizen’s arrest, but frankly, these mouthbreathers aren’t worth your time.
Have you encountered any of these types in the parks? Call them out in the comments below!
This post is part of the DisMarks Blog Carnival. For more great Disney reads, click here.
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Related Links:
* The Five People You Meet in Line at WDW
* An Open Letter to 3D
* Golden Oak: If You're Not Rich, Then Why Are You Reading This?
This post is part of the DisMarks Blog Carnival. For more great Disney reads, click here.
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Related Links:
* The Five People You Meet in Line at WDW
* An Open Letter to 3D
* Golden Oak: If You're Not Rich, Then Why Are You Reading This?
August 18, 2010
August 16, 2010
Berry Cobbler - Artist Point, Wilderness Lodge
It's summertime, which means berries are in season! And I wanted to take advantage of the amazing produce at my grocery store AND whip up something Disneyfied, so voila! I present to you the Berry Cobbler from Artist Point in Disney's Wilderness Lodge resort. This delicious dessert is easy to make and perfect for a summer get-together.
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons butter
1 egg
1 cup heavy cream
12 ounces fresh blueberries and/or raspberries, blackberries, etc
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
Raspberries/strawberries/blackberries for garnish
To Cobble:
1. Whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Blend in 1/2 cup butter until crumbly.
2. With a fork, stir in the egg and mix just enough to blend. Add heavy cream and mix to incorporate. Do not overblend.
3. Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease a 9-inch cake pan.
4. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the cake pan. Place the berries on top of the dough and sprinkle with brown sugar. Place the two remaining tablespoons of butter (cut into small pieces) on top.
5. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve with fresh berries, whipped cream, ice cream, or all of the above.
This post is part of the DisMarks Blog Carnival. Go here for more Disney goodness.
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Related Links:
* Princess Cake - Akershus
* Apple Cobbler - Liberty Tree Tavern
* Mango Mousse - Food & Wine Festival
August 14, 2010
New Star Tours Video - Pack Your Bags!
You probably know by now that Star Tours is getting a midi-chlorian makeover in 2011, but Disney Parks just released this video of the "commercials" that will appear in the new queue. While none of these destinations are confirmed to be the ones to which we will eventually Star Tour, I'm still loving this:
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Related Links:
* Toy Story 3 Behind the Scenes: Concept Art
* The Force is Coming
August 11, 2010
WDW Rumor Update
It’s no secret that the Internet is the world’s largest and fastest rumor mill, but it seems that there’s been a rash of Disney-related rumors swirling about recently – some are good, some are just crazy. Let’s discuss:
There is a new pavilion coming to Epcot, and it’s rain stays mainly in the plain. Yes friends, Spain is rumored to be the new addition to Epcot. Of course, this pavilion will include an overpriced tapas restaurant and daily bullfighting demonstrations. Now, I fully support adding another pavilion to Epcot, but Spain? Fail. Europe is already well represented in the World Showcase, and there are so many other countries in the world with vibrant, interesting cultures and a culinary style that would translate well for guests. India, Russia, Argentina, Australia …. (continue this game in the comments below). Anyway, there have been whispers of a new pavilion for ages now, so I’ll believe it when I see it.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios is getting a Monsters Inc. roller coaster. You know that sequence in the movie where our heroes zoom around past all the doors to children’s bedrooms? It would be that scene, coasterized. Apparently plans have been greenlit, and DHS will finally take one small step toward being relevant again. And hopefully the new attraction will pull guests away from Toy Story Mania, so I can ride it over and over again.
Universal Studios is possibly planning more movie-themed lands. This isn’t Disney news per se, but worth mentioning since it shows the trend that theme parks are moving away from broadly named “lands” to more areas based on specific movie tie-ins (Cars Land, for example). Personally, I say boohissfail to that – I’ll take my Tomorrowland with it’s nebulously named Space Mountain and People Mover any day. Until Disney makes a Tomorrowland movie. Then I’m out.
The film franchise ideas for Universal’s new theme park additions include attractions based on Avatar and Twilight. No. Just, no.
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Related Links:
* Thoughts on the SeaWorld Tragedy
* Bay Lake Tower, Birthdays, Box Office
* Overheard in WDW: Sunset Blvd Edition
August 10, 2010
Come Aboard the Disney Dream
Disney Cruise Line recently released this promotional video for the Disney Dream, the new cruise ship that will set sail next year. Check out all the cool:
Let's talk cruises: I've never been on one, mostly because I can't imagine spending a day doing nothing on a boat in the middle of the ocean. I'm more of what you would call an "active vacationer." And if I was going to go on a cruise, as much as I love Disney, I'm not sure my sanity could handle being on a Disney Cruise. Being stuck in the middle of the ocean is hard enough, being stuck in the middle of the ocean surrounded by the same group of shrieking children ... well, let's just say I would quickly turn into this:
But all that aside, the Disney Dream looks pretty amazing. Those portholes (Hi Peach!), those adorable Mickey-backed chairs, those lounges, that staircase where I could re-enact scenes from Titanic! Plus, I totally want to hang out in Andy's Room. So maybe (maaaaybe) I can be persuaded otherwise. Because it looks like a really fun time.
Have you ever been on a Disney Cruise? Was it amazing or no? Talk me into going, talk me out of going - I'd love to get your feedback!
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Related Links:
* It's a Bird! It's a Plane! It's a Giant Disney Balloon!
* Golden Oak: If You're Not Rich, Then Why Are You Reading This?
* Disney on a Budget: When You Wish Upon an All-Star
August 4, 2010
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