The Muppets Return to TV: A Premiere Episode Review

The Muppets have returned to TV and they feel right at home. 
TV is the best place for the Muppets to showcase their humor without it getting lost in the longer form of films. I’ve been underwhelmed by the 2 recent Muppet movies but now they are back on TV.

TV is where the Muppets got their start with The Muppet Show back in the 1970’s (which sprung off from Seasame Street).   The new Muppet Show is a blend of The Office and Larry Sanders  with the Muppets as stars.   It centers on Miss Piggy hosting a late night talk show and follows the behind the scenes lives of the Muppets.

 It is the perfect setting –because it lends itself to celebrity guest stars and allows the Muppets to do short form bits and sketches like the old Muppet Show.  The first episode featured  Fozzie the Bear dating a human girl and Kermit and Miss Piggy trying to work together despite recently breaking up.  I've seen numerous reviews that this Muppet show is a little too adult and some reviews have bashed it for this and basically said that Jim Henson would be rolling over in his grave at some of the humor. I personally found this to be one of the bettwe versions of the Muppets since the first movie hit the big screen.

 I really enjoyed the premiere episode which got good ratings and I hope that this will be a long and entertaining run.

It will be interesting to see if they can bring the Muppets back to prime time success and recapture some of what it once was.  I hope it does because I feel like maybe they have captured something great again with this new show and I think it will be interesting to see Kermit and Miss Piggy eventually get back together after some typical sitcom tension.

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Signs that you are in Animal Kingdom (Literally)

The Signage of Animal Kingdom

At Disney it is all in the details.  I love some of all the cool and unique signage around the parks that helps to create the look and feel of the areas you are in.   Here are a few photos of the signage of Animal Kingdom.

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Illuminations: An unpopular point of view

In our trip to Epcot our feet were dragging by the end of the long day.  We were actually on our way out by the time we made it to the Mexico pavilion.    After grabbing what we hoped would be a quick ride on the Three Caballeros attraction we got out of the ride just in time for  Illuminations to start so we decided to stay and catch it grabbing a decent last minute spot near the Mexico pavilion.

I know that some people find it to be great –but my wife and I thought it was very underwhelming.

Don't get me wrong --it isn't a bad show it just wasn't up to many other night time shows that Disney puts on in our opinion.  I love the lights on all the countries and the fireworks are adequate.  
The problem with it is the Floating Globe that displays the images.   I know I’m supposed to be mesmerized by it as it slowly makes its way out into the middle of the lagoon –but we both felt like it brought the show to a grinding halt.   Maybe I’m just spoiled. 
I’m used to Fantasmic at Disneyland and World of Color at DCA.   Illuminations and its Siemens globe –just fells extremely old and dated in comparison.    

Illuminations doesn’t feature a giant firebreathing Dragon finale that sets the lake on fire……..
Illuminations doesn’t feature hundreds of fountains of water with lighting effects with the Mickey Fun Wheel and rollercoaster as a backdrop.   

Illumination has spinning globe with a horse running around it.  
It just no longer meets my expectations.

I pretty much find almost everything and anything Disney does to be great (with the Exception of Light Tragic)  It is hard to find something I’m not in love with at the Disney parks……The next time we come back to Epcot though---I think we may skip Illuminations unless it gets a major update.

How do you feel about the show???
Send your hate mail to my Disney facebook page.

Check out Part 2 of our Disney Discussion on our movie Podcast

http://www.superfantasticterrific.com/super-fantastic-terrific-show-10-disneyland-fun-and-star-wars-news/

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Adult Drinks at Disneyland Resort: Part 3 : The Alfresco Lounge

The Alfresco Lounge is one of the hidden gems of the Disneyland Resort.  You may not even know that it exists.   Sure you may have stopped downstairs and done some wine tasting at the little wine counter–just to the left of Wine Country  Trattoria (I’ll talk about that in a future blog) .  Or you may have stopped on the other side of the restaurant  and tasted some Craft beers,  but have you been upstairs???

The Alfresco Lounge can be found just up the stairs to the upstairs section of the restaurant.  When you get to the top –just turn to the right and you will find the perfect little hideaway. 

A message greeting you to wine Nirvana.

 Now you have arrived

 (I’ve discussed the Wine experience at Alfresco in a previous Wine Blog which you can see here) 

http://2dollarwineconnoisseur.blogspot.com/2015/03/wine-at-disneyland-resort-alfresco_1.html 

This time I just wanted to talk about the place itself.   
The Alfresco Lounge is the perfect spot for adults to get away from the hustle and bustle of the parks without ever leaving them. 
It can hold about 35 people and would be the perfect spot in the parks for a private party  (I wish).    One side of this little upstairs wine spot is the backside of the Grizzly River Run attraction. 
From this ideal little perch you can see Carthay Circle Theater spire in one direction and a view of Carsland  from the other side.

You can taste Wines that are connected to Disney and enjoy great appetizers which include the Risotto  bites that are to die for.  
It is like taking a vacation to Wine Country without leaving the Disneyland Resort.   The only place that even compares on the Disney property is at the outdoor fire pit section at the Napa Rose……  (For a look at this area --check out our wine blog.)

http://2dollarwineconnoisseur.blogspot.com/search?q=napa+rose

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Exploring World Showcase at Epcot: Part 9 : Norway at Night (Frozen Influences)

Continuing our tour around the World Showcase we finally made our way to Norway we were running out of time so basically just stopped to take a couple of pictures and check out the exhibit in the church

When I think Norway I think about Vikings.   The Main Attraction in Norway was the Maelstrom boat ride that took you through the myths of Norway.   This used to be one of the reasons that in all my previous trips I would start my journey around World Showcase on the Mexico side.   Well Maelstrom is in the process to being turned into a Frozen ride.  A lot of people were upset to see the Norway ride being turned into a Frozen attraction -but from Disney's point of view a ride based on a movie that made a billion dollars is a lot more interesting than weird trolls and a Norwegian oil platforms.   (I will not have a blog about Ulitmate Epcot -because the Frozen expansion is basically that and the inspiration for what else could be done in World Showcase.

I love the look for the buildings in Norway....they look even cooler at night.

The shop in Norway has traditional Norway fare with a heavy dose of Trolls and Vikings and once the new ride goes in I'm sure you will be able to find everything Frozen as well.

Food wise Norway features the popular Kringla Bakeri og Kafe that is like a Norwegian bakery and Akershus Royal Banquet Hall which has Princess character dining 

I love the look of the church in the Norway Pavilion

While Norway prepares itself for Frozen Fever---they currently have an exhibit in the Stave Church that features influences from Norway that made it into the film

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