One of the oldest expressions in the book is, “life is short.” We have all heard that expression and unfortunately sometimes it usually takes tragedy to be reminded of that phrase. When I heard the news of a helicopter crash in California that took the… Read More »Life is short: Go to Disney or travel the world and don’t regret it for a second
Even before moving to Los Angeles in the early 1990’s, I’ve been fascinated with the folklore behind the Mexican holiday of “Dia de los Muertos” to the point of preferring it over Halloween. The holiday that honors dead ancestors and friends has been fertile ground… Read More »Review: Pixar’s ‘Coco’ weaves moving, authentic family story
My five-year-old daughter doesn’t like Star Wars. There, I said it. Star Wars has been trying for years now to win over the female audience but my kid isn’t buying it. My wife and I have tried everything. We played up the princess aspect pointing… Read More »A five-year-old’s thoughts on Star Wars
Back in the day of Michael Eisner’s reign over the Mouse House, the concept of the Disney Institute was introduced. It was an actual campus on property at Walt Disney World, where guests and businesses could go to learn the Disney way to do things… Read More »New Disney Family Culinary Adventure offered at Walt Disney World
I don’t talk about him too frequently, but I am proud to have as my grandfather one of the early Imagineers at WED Enterprises. Vic Greene had an impact on a lot of projects, but one that’s near and dear to my heart is the… Read More »Petition to return a lost tombstone to the Haunted Mansion
Disney Interactive is one of the unsung heroes of a Disney household. Through their collection of websites including, Babble, Spoonful, Disney Baby, and more, they reach out to the Disney mom and family in need of some inspiration or advice. A new website has just… Read More »Disney Interactive expands “Family” of websites
Did your family visit Disneyland or Walt Disney World back in the day? If so, check your closets and attics. You never know what gems you may find. This footage from Disneyland around 1960 has been in the family of Steven Buehler for as long… Read More »Previously Unseen Vintage Disneyland Footage, circa 1960
I was fortunate to spend Thanksgiving day this year at Disney’s Aulani Resort & Spa on Oahu with family and friends. Though we were staying on the other side of the island, we couldn’t resist the chance to make the drive to Ko Olina to check out Disney’s newest resort and enjoy a Hawaiian Thanksgiving sprinkled with Disney magic. First impression of Aulani: spectacular! The food, well, that’s another story…
Aulani offered a special Thanksgiving event with entertainment and character appearances ($85 per adult and $73 per child – ouch!). Our party, a mix of adults and kids, opted instead for the buffet dinner at Makahiki, which at $40 for adults and $20 per child is reasonably priced as Hawai’i resort dining goes, and we figured it would offer something to suit everyone’s taste.
I had high hopes for the Makahiki buffet, a spacious area with subtle and soothing tropical decor that opens to a sunny patio. But truth be told, the food was predictable, not much was memorable or worth seconds, (but luckily there was plenty to try!).