Erin De Santiago

It’s Springtime Celebration at Hong Kong Disneyland

May 29, 2015 By Erin De Santiago 1 Comment

Springtime at Hong Kong Disneyland - DisneyGlobetrotter.com — Springtime at Hong Kong Disneyland

This weekend marks the end of Hong Kong Disneyland’s 2015 “It’s Springtime” Celebration. Many of the Disney characters were dressed in their Spring best and beautiful fresh flowers filled Main Street. Unfortunately, it was pouring rain nearly the whole time I was there this trip so we battled less than ideal photo conditions. A couple times I didn’t even bring my camera into the park as the rain was so bad.

Here’s a look at some of the Spring decor at Hong Kong Disneyland for 2015:

Mickey and Minnie at Hong Kong Disneyland's It's Springtime Celebration — Mickey and Minnie at Hong Kong Disneyland’s It’s Springtime Celebration

Hong Kong Spring - Duffy and Shellie May - disneyglobetrotter.com — Duffy and Shellie May at Hong Kong Disneyland’s It’s Springtime Celebration

Hong Kong Spring Chip and Dale - disneyglobetrotter.com — Chip and Dale at It’s Springtime Celebration

Hong Kong Spring Donald and Nephews - disneyglobetrotter.com — Donald Duck and the Nephews at It’s Springtime Celebration

It's Springtime Celebration -- Goofy's Garden - disneyglobetrotter.com — It’s Springtime Celebration — Goofy’s Garden

Hong Kong Spring Frozen Display Main Street - disneyglobetrotter.com — Springtime Frozen display in the shops along Main Street, Hong Kong Disneyland

Hong Kong Spring Pluto - disneyglobetrotter.com — Pluto and a bee at It’s Springtime Celebration at Hong Kong Disneyland

Mickey and Minnie Hong Kong Disneyland - disneyglobetrotter.com — Mickey and Minnie taking photos with guests on Main Street

Hong Kong Disneyland It's Springtime - Main Street - disneyglobetrotter.com — Hong Kong Disneyland It’s Springtime – Main Street

If Hong Kong Disneyland holds another Spring event in 2016, expect it to start early March and run through the end of May.

Which one is your favorite Disney character in the “It’s a Springtime Celebration?”

Erin De Santiago

A lifelong Disney fanatic and freelance travel and food writer currently based in Belize and the Netherlands. Annual passholder to all Disney Parks worldwide. Bring you Disney Magic from around the globe.

Diamond Celebration Truffles Coming to Disneyland for 60th Anniversary

May 27, 2015 By Erin De Santiago Leave a Comment

Being obsessed with Disney-related food items, I’m excited to hear the announcement of special dessert truffles for the Disneyland 60th Anniversary celebration.

Three restaurants will feature the special truffles, all inspired by their location.

Disneyland Diamond Celebration Truffles at Blue Bayou, Carthay Circle, and Steakhouse 55.

First up is Blue Bayou adjacent to the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction:

Blue Bayou Restaurant Truffle Flavors

Crème Brule – crème, brown sugar and vanilla
Bananas Foster – banana, vanilla ice cream, brown sugar, cinnamon, dark rum and banana liqueur
King Cake – confectioner’s sugar and lemon juice
Mint Julep – sugar, lime juice, lemon juice and crème de menthe

Next up is Carthay Circle inside Disney California Adventure (note: you must be over 21 to purchase these due to alcohol content)

Carthay Circle Restaurant Truffle Flavors

Carthay Manhattan – American whiskey, sweet vermouth, Angostura bitters and Luxardo maraschino cherries
Brown Derby – bourbon, fresh grapefruit juice and honey
B52 Coffee – Grand Marnier, Kahlua, Irish cream, coffee and whipped cream
Hazelnut Tiramisu – classic tiramisu with hazelnut

Lastly, Steakhouse 55 is also featuring a special truffle set. Steakhouse 55 is located inside the Disneyland Hotel. Like the Carthay Circle truffles, you must be over 21 to purchase these due to alcohol content by volume.

Steakhouse 55 Truffle Flavors

Cosmopolitan – vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice and lime
Kahlua – coffee, brown sugar, vanilla
24-Layer Chocolate Cake – milk chocolate, hazelnut and a hint of vanilla
Primitivo – raspberry, blackberry, cherry, plums and raisin

Which Disneyland Diamond Celebration truffles sound most appealing to you?

The Blue Bayou box is by far my favorite flavors. When it comes to the others, I’m torn between the B52 Coffee and Brown Derby at Carthay Circle, and the 24-Layer Chocolate Cake and Primitivo at Steakhouse 55.

Erin De Santiago

Rebranding and Relaunching as Disney Globetrotter

January 18, 2015 By Erin De Santiago Leave a Comment

Disney Globetrotter

If you were following my Disney blog several years ago when it was active, you’ll probably remember it was called Pooh’s Travels — after my nickname and one of my favorite characters. Sadly, my blog has been dormant for several years as my freelancing career started gaining serious momentum. I barely had time to write the Disney pieces I was commissioned to do, let alone post on the blog.

Since things have taken off, I’ve hit some milestones in my career that I’m extremely proud of. I’ve traveled to over 60 countries and still visited the Disney Parks at least several times a year. I’ve spoken at conferences in Belize and Mexico about blogging and social media, worked as an English language editor on a renowned chef’s second cookbook, and authored half of Belize’s official visitor magazine in 2013. I passed my Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) exam in 2014 and most recently became AFAR Travel Magazine’s Belize expert, curating their Official AFAR Guide to Belize.

Although I haven’t published on the blog, I never lost my love for Disney — I still try to maintain annual passes to all the Disney Parks worldwide and visit as often as I can. Despite living so far away now in Belize and the Netherlands, I managed to visit Tokyo four times in the last year, and Hong Kong three. I’m blessed that I’ve been able to combine my passion for Disney with my regular travel and food writing as well. I am now covering Disney Travel for Roam Right Travel Insurance, and had a few Disney-related posts on travel and hotel sites like Trivago and Hipmunk. I’m also a blogger for Viator, a tour company that I absolutely love working with. I maintain a number of their destination blogs, including Hong Kong, which allows me to cover Disney periodically as well.

I’ve enjoyed keeping up with all my Disney travels, but I have missed utilizing an outlet on which to share them. General Disney articles are great for travel sites, but only Disney addicts will go crazy over decorative details, a new food item, or the latest merchandise releases. And, while many of my regular travel writing colleagues don’t share the same passion for Disney, they have been pushing me to restart the site. I am one of the very few people who travel to all the Disney Park Resorts worldwide on a regular basis, and I should be using that knowledge and experience to help others plan their Disney vacations. So, for the last six months or so, I’ve been working on a rebranding plan that more closely aligns with my other work and websites.

Welcome to the new Disney Globetrotter!

The site is still undergoing a number of design changes and updates, but it’s updated and mobile-friendly now. If you want to keep connected on my Disney-specific social media, I am finally launching new dedicated accounts on Instagram and Pinterest as well.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/disneyglobetrotter

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/disneyglobetrotter

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/poohstravels

Thank you for following, and I hope to see you on our Disney globetrotting adventures soon!

Erin De Santiago

Duffy the Disney Bear: New 2012 Halloween Merchandise at Disneyland Resort

August 17, 2012 By Erin De Santiago 3 Comments

Halloween is my favorite holiday and I am eagerly awaiting my visit to Tokyo and Hong Kong Disney Parks in early September for all the new merchandise, but in the meantime, I got a pleasant and unexpected surprise while at Disneyland in California for a brief visit yesterday.

I had been hearing rumors of new Halloween merchandise coming out featuring my favorite attraction, Haunted Mansion, and I knew a new Duffy pin was released recently as well.

Halloween DL 21 — New Halloween Pins released at Disneyland Resort on 08/09/12

What I didn’t realize though was that Disney released a new smaller, beanie-sized Halloween Duffy the Disney Bear ($15) to match the pin AND that Duffy was making a pretty sly appearance in some of the Haunted Mansion merchandise. I was so excited that the Hitchhiking Ghosts and the Hatbox Ghost were included on the merchandise, I failed to spot this adorable little bear I love peeking out on the popcorn tin, one of the t-shirts, the yard flag, and the seasonal bag!

Halloween DL 23 — Say hello to the 2012 Halloween Duffy the Disney Bear

Halloween DL 19 — Halloween Bag US Parks

Halloween DL 40 — Halloween 2012 t-shirt

Halloween DL 41 — Look who's peeking around from behind the Haunted Mansion gates!??!

Halloween DL 20 — Halloween Yard Flag available

Halloween DL 44 — Close up of Duffy on the yard flag

Halloween DL 45 — Duffy is peeking out again on the Popcorn tin!

Not all the Halloween merchandise has been released yet, but if you are at Disneyland in the next few days, definitely check in the Disney Showcase on Main Street, U.S.A. and I have heard reports there was some Halloween merchandise released at Pooh Corner as well. (See photos of all the Halloween merchandise here: Disneyland releases all new merchandise for Halloween 2012)

So excited to see Duffy make an appearance on the seasonal merchandise at the U.S. Parks — now to prep for Tokyo in two weeks with the big Halloween merchandise and Duffy costume release!

Erin De Santiago

Newest Trailer for ABC’s ‘The Neighbors’ Includes Clear Image of Duffy the Disney Bear

August 8, 2012 By Erin De Santiago Leave a Comment

Since the initial trailers for ABC’s new fall show The Neighbors made their way online back in May, people have noticed little glimpses of a 2011 Duffy the Disney Bear in several shots.

Just a week or two ago, they began showing a new trailer in the US and my Mom is the one who caught it — the “More Heart than Humanly Possible” trailer includes a full shot of Duffy this time!

The Neighbors is set to debut on September 26 and, I will be in Spain that week for a travel blogging conference. Will try to catch it on Hulu or have Mom DVR it so I can watch when I am in the US in October.

545984_390005851037564_1030148059_n — ABC's 'The Neighbors' debuts September 26

While yes, it’s convenient product placement by ABC/Disney, and I am sure a number of people will complain, I am just excited to see Duffy make any sort of appearance on TV. It will be interesting to see if Duffy is an integral part of the show, and addressed by name, or just a mere prop who, at one point, is painfully ripped from the daughter’s hands by her brother in one show trailer. Poor Duffy!

New ABC ‘The Neighbors’ Trailer: More Heart Than Humanly Possible

If the video shows “only available in the US” try using this link to The Neighbors trailer as I was able to view it in Europe.

Screen Shot 2012-08-08 at 3.52.37 AM — Screen shot of Duffy in new The Neighbors series debuting on ABC this fall (Credit: ABC/Disney)

Original ABC ‘The Neighbors’ Trailer

In this trailer, you get a quick glimpse of Duffy as he’s ripped from the girl’s arm by her brother and you can see him again (well his paw anyways) when the family is all in bed together.

Premise of ‘The Neighbors’

If you are not familiar with the new show, it is written by Dan Fogelman (Cars, Tangled, and Crazy, Stupid, Love) who is also an executive producer with Aaron Kaplan, Jeff Morton (Modern Family) and Chris Koch (Workaholics, Modern Family).

The premise involves the Weaver family who moves to a private gated community in New Jersey and soon discovers their neighbors are from another planet, literally, and all have pro-athlete names.

The Neighbors stars Jami Gertz (Entourage, Modern Family, Still Standing, Ally McBeal) as Debbie Weaver, Lenny Venito (Bored to Death, Men in Black III, Person of Interest, Curb Your Enthusiasm) as Marty Weaver, Simon Templeman as Larry Bird, Toks Olagundoye as Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Clara Mamet as Amber Weaver, Tim Jo (Glory Daze) as Reggie Jackson, Ian Patrick (Wanderlust) as Dick Butkis, Max Charles (The Three Stooges, The Amazing Spider-Man) as Max Weaver, Isabella Cramp as Abby Weaver.

Guest starring are Mitch Rouse as the Real Estate Agent and Doug Jones as Alien. Co-Starring are Bruce Green as Angry Man and Mary K. DeVault as Angry Woman.

Will you be watching The Neighbors to catch a glimpse of Duffy in the series?

Erin De Santiago

Easter Wonderland 2011: Desserts at Tokyo Disney Ambassador Hotel

July 6, 2011 By Erin De Santiago 1 Comment

Hard to believe, but I still have two more food posts from the 2011 Easter Wonderland event that wrapped up at Tokyo Disneyland last week. For seasonal events, the Ambassador Hotel often offers special themed food and desserts. Tokyo Disney has ended the dining pin promotion, but the desserts and special menus are still worth getting if you are visiting during a seasonal event.

For 2011, the Hyperion Lounge at the Tokyo Disney Ambassador Hotel had two desserts and beverages that were Easter themed. The main dessert was “Disney’s Easter Wonderland” Special Dessert set that was an Easter Peach Melba with Fresh Fruit Tart. The design includes a more obscure character — Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. He became quite popular in Japan several years ago and made his first appearance as a float during the Easter celebration in 2010. This dessert is actually a recreation of the float design and the Oswald merchandise offered this year.

The pastry chef who designs and executes the seasonal desserts is quite adept at putting together some of the most amazing creations event after event. While this one may lack some of the precision chocolate work other desserts have in the past, there are a number of intricate details on this year’s that easily make up for it. For a Spring themed dessert, the light texture and fruit flavors were a nice surprise.

Looking over the dessert as I was photographing, I continued to find little missed details, including things like a hidden Mickey on the chocolate Easter Egg.

The other dessert we ordered was one of the specials from the regular Cake menu. It was Mickey Mouse shaped, complete with his 2011 Easter hat on. The detail elements were constructed of both chocolate and fondant — a cute design but a bit pricey when compared to the Easter Wonderland dessert set for a similar cost.

For this year’s beverages, the alcoholic option was the “Ambassador Style” cocktail with cherry liqueur, Cointreau, Cassis Syrup, Cranberry Juice, Lemon Juice, and 7UP. The non-alcoholic drink, “Easter Waltz”, included Orange Juice, Melon Syrup, 7UP and Jelly Balls, and a dated souvenir glass.