Elisa's Daily ScoopExcited for EPCOT! EPCOT was an acronym created by Walt Disney himself in 1966. It stands for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Hey folks!! Welcome to W2GW (Where to Go Wednesday) here at Travelin' Cousins! This is the day we share with you a local place of interest to visit. Considering I'm on a week long visit to Disney World and Universal, I'm going to leave some local hot spots to Tanya to feature today. And speaking of my bestie traveling' cuz -- have you been checking out Tanya's "15 for '15" features? They are truly great! If you generally, only follow my Daily Scoop, I strongly encourage you to peruse Tanya's column as well - if for nothing else, than for this wonderful new feature she has developed!!  At Entrance to Disney's Hollywood Studios Let me tell you about my day yesterday. I have to say, it was not my favorite on this trip. It actually started off ok - I had a great workout at the fitness center here at Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. The gym is quite nice, with lots of great equipment - I focused on the elliptical and free weights.  Inside "Star Tours" in Hollywood Studios The weather was sunny and a bit windy, and the temps were in the high 70's, warm enough for Gianna to finally go swimming, which she had been bugging me to do since we arrived here on Sunday. After meeting back at the room after I showered and got dressed, we headed for the Disney bus to Hollywood Studios. Of course, as soon as we were boarding the bus, the rain started. UGH! We were prepared with slickers, but I have to tell you, it was really not enjoyable walking around in the wet, rain. Unlike the summer, when it's very warm and the rain is actually a reprieve from the hot rays, it was chilly and damp and we were all cold.  One of the movie sets from the Indiana Jones Live Show Thank goodness, no one had a burning desire to do much at this park, so we only went to 3 attractions -- Star Tours (which I got a bit queazy on with all the motion on this virtual reality ride); The Little Mermaid Live Show (saw this one about 200 times!) and lastly, the Indiana Jones show. By the time, we arrived at Indiana Jones, it was POURING! The show was actually quite enjoyable but I was so cold and wet sitting there, that I couldn't wait to just get out of there and head back to the villa. And that's precisely what we did! But, not without first trekking to the parking lot to catch the bus and getting totally soaked to the bone!!  Me and Gianna soaked on the bus ride back to our hotel room The kids were even cranky and tired, so it was the right decision. I'm sorry there are no videos for you today - I really didn't want to risk getting the camera wet. But, don't fear -- today I'll be in EPCOT and it's supposed to be sunny, so I'll be filming away!! I LOVE EPCOT!! Lots to do and see - great food. In fact I have Fast Passes for Soarin - my ALL-TIME favorite ride!!! As well as for Mission Space. And dinner will be at Les Chef de France in the French Pavillion!! Well, I better get my day going!! Hope it's a great one for you!!! -E xoxo  | Tanya's Daily ScoopGood Day Everyone! Happy Humpday to ya! Hope that your week has been going well, and that you are looking forward to all of the fun events that are taking place this weekend! It’s W2GW (Where to go Wednesday) and if you live in or are visiting anywhere around Southern California then you’ll definitely want to check out the scoop on where to go that I’ve listed down below! As for today, well I’ve got a fairly mellow day here. Gonna take Cosette to see Dream & Star (horses), and then go for a much needed Manicure (ok maybe not "much needed" - but it sure feels that way to me!). Later tonight Dominic has class, and I’ll be sitting there watching/reading and enjoying my seaweed snacks! lol Yup these ‘Chomperz’ are honestly my new favorite snack - seaweed can you believe that?!  They come in four different yummy flavors! I’m not that much into potato chips, cookies, or pretzels, but give me some seaweed and I’m quite happy! Maybe I was a fish in a previous life! lol Speaking of food, I finally decided on a menu for my ‘Fat Tuesday - Mardi Gras’ themed dinner last night. I made New Orleans style Red Beans and Rice, Mix and Match Jambalaya, and Cajun Style Green Beans! It was noted as being “Delicious” and it definitely had a KICK to it! I had plans of taking picture to show, and then only remembered to take one! DUH  Cooking the Jambalaya (before the rice went in). Now to work on tomorrows themed menu for Chinese New Year!!! I’ll let you know what I come up with...  W2GW (Where to go Wednesdays) It’s Chinese New Year’s Eve! Where: Thien Hau Temple, in Chinatown When: Wednesday, February 18th, 2015 Time: 10pm-1am Thousands will gather at the local temple to make offerings to the deities, awaken the spirits with firecrackers and burn incense for good fortune. Participants includes lion dancers, Buddhist and Taoist monks. The tradition all starting at 10pm For more info CLICK HERE  Credit: YouTube.com 116th annual Golden Dragon Parade and Chinese New Year Festival When: Saturday, February 21, 2015 Time: 12pm-8:30pm Where: Central & West Plazas 943-951 N. Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90012 FREE to the public Celebrating the Year of the Ram at the Chinese New Year Festival in LA Chinatown. There will be: - Brush Painting - Calligraphy - Clay Sculptures - Dough Sculptors - Family Workshop - Fruit & Vegetable Carving - Roaming Magician - Story-telling Capuchin Monkey & Trainer (5PM-8PM) Performances will include: Traditional Southern Style Dragon and Lion Dance Chinese Acrobatics Martial Arts Face Changing / Acrobatic Balancing / Teapot Juggling Also: Craft Beer Garden Culinary Stage Cooking Demos And plenty of food: LA Gourmet Food Truck - Crepe N Around - Fluff Ice - India Jones Truck - Kogi Truck - The Lobos Truck - Tokyo Doggie Style - Yalla Truck LA Weekly Live Music Stage Plus vendors: - FLEA MARKET GIRL - Hansha Studios - Inicreations - Noral Collections - Pyrograph Art by Zachary Aronson - Robots by Matt Q Spangler - Scoops Chinatown For more info CLICK HERE  Photo Credit: lamag.com Celebrate Chinese New Year with The Great Chinatown hunt by CityRace! Get ready for an exciting clue-solving adventure through one of the city’s most colorful, diverse and historic districts. You'll search for clues throughout this lively neighborhood of contrasts: discover ancient traditions alongside experimental art; explore picturesque alleyways and traditional temples, bustling shops and hidden courtyards. You'll also be sent on two challenging Mini-Quests, where you must successfully complete a series of unique tasks to win extra bonus points. Discover the sights, smells and sounds of Asia...all right here in Los Angeles! This hunt is moderately challenging. When: Sunday, February 22 at 11 am $40 per person For more info CLICK HERE Fun stuff for everyone! Now it's about time that I go and work on a few things that need my attention. So I'll say good bye and see ya tomorrow. -T  |
