Friday, July 29, 2016

Kanine Krunchies: O-Zell Soda

Hello, everyone!

This is kind of an unorthodox blog food and beverage review.  Also, for future reference, product reviews (this is technically also a product review) will go under the heading "Gadgets and Gizmos Aplenty" in reference to my original favorite Disney princess....Ariel.

I was in Burbank a while back, and ran into Rocket Fizz for a look, only to find a piece of Disney fan treasure staring at me....O-Zell Soda.

To simplify things, here is the link to the site: http://www.o-zell.com


Their site does a lovely job at detailing the Disney origins of the brand, so I won't even attempt to replicate it.  To make a long story short, the brand was originally created by Walt's father Elias, and has recently been revitalized in the Silver Lake, CA area, its proceeds going to help restore Walt Disney's Birthplace Home in Chicago, Illinois.

So, since I was so anxious to actually try O-Zell Soda (It wasn't quite in my budget when they had a booth at the last D23 Expo), I thought I'd share my thoughts with you all, so you know what you're getting into...

In short....GET SOME!

Alright, now that I've calmed down...I'll go through each flavor.

Root Beer
The root beer float flavor is a little non-traditional, there are a few hints of a licorice-y taste in there, most likely due to its being more natural than most mainstream root beers of late.  We all found it, however to be a mild flavor.  I wouldn't drink it to quench your thirst, I'd do so to enjoy it's flavor, slowly.


Vanilla Dream
I have to confess here, I'm a cream soda girl.  It's my particular favorite, although I save it for special occasions. So I might be a tad biased, but this truly was a Vanilla Dream.  It was smooth and perfectly flavored.  I wouldn't call it an all out cream soda, hence it not being called "cream soda".  I would, if I could, buy this by the case!


Pineapple Whip
This is the first of two that are particular flavors I wouldn't call sodas, per se.  Certainly, the pineapple is meant to be a call back...call forward? Sideways....? to the Dole Whips available at the Disney parks (a favorite of my goddaughter's).  Now, it's not really my cup of tea, but it was certainly interesting, just rich enough in pineapple flavor.  Like I said, not really a soda.  I didn't taste any real carbonation, but there is an essence of the "whip" part of it in there.  As my goddaughter, Naomi, would say, "it's like drinking a Dole Whip!"

Cherry Jubilee
Other than Vanilla Dream, this was by far my favorite.  It isn't a cherry cola, which I kind of thought it would be...for some reason....but it's just a fabulous cherry treat.  Just a delight to partake.


These are, in my opinion, non-traditional drinks, not just simple novelty sodas.  i highly recommend them if you want to add a little pizzaz to your party or gathering, even though they are hard to get your hands on.  Again, you can go to their website to get the information, but I found O-Zell soda, in all four flavors at Rocket Fizz, http://rocketfizz.com.

While doing research for this post, I noticed O-Zell now has coffee as well.  I, personally, am not a coffee drinker, but my mother LOVES Grand Marceline Company Coffee, which also has Disney roots.  So, if I get enough feedback in the comments of this post, I'll snag some O-Zell Coffee and we'll do a comparison.  If it's anywhere near as good as these sodas are, it should be fabulous.

So...that's it for now.....except another Frolic from Fred soon and then a post I've been ruminating on for awhile....it's half a product review and half a rant.

Have a great week, everyone! And Just Keep Swimming!

Sunday, July 10, 2016

"Can I use that curse word now?" - A D23 Discussion

Hello, Everyone

Sorry for the delay in my next post, but lately it seems I try to get my next review up (it's going to be a good one, by the way), and something comes up that I feel I should address...

Which brings me to my next segment, "Can I use that curse word now?" in honor of Inside Out's Anger (though I'm partial to Disgust).

https://d23.com/d23-expo-2017-tickets-on-sale-beginning-july-14-2016/

The link above is the announcement that tickets are going on sale for the D23 Expo 2017, on July 14th, which is next week.

There is no significant change in the price for normal tickets, for both D23 members and non-members.  

What I'd really like to discuss is the Sorcerer Package.  Last year, this package was $2,000.  I admit, I previously thought it was only $1,000 for the last Expo.  Still, there is a grievance here I would like to address with D23...

Now, let's just go by last Expo's numbers for a second....as Lou Mongello from WDW Radio would say, "Go with me here..."

If you bought the tickets during the Early Bird period, a three day adult ticket is $104. 
And the Sorcerer Package was $2,000.

Now, this year that package is $2,250.  And don't get me wrong, lots of interesting perks, but why the substantial price difference? 

With a regular ticket, my party (ok, it's my mother and me, but we are rather ruthless, I promise!) spend an incredible amount of time in line for shopping, the Disney Store being the worst offender.  I understand that Disney is most likely trying to price out or somehow deter those who just buy up everything and re-sell it on eBay, but how is this kind of a price difference going to help that? Is it really helping? And then why give so many perks that can be sold on eBay, like the luggage?

Now, this could be just another angry blog from an irate Disney fan, but I'm not mad....I'm disappointed.  Why isn't there a middle ground? I don't want to re-sell anything, I just want to maximize my time.  I don't want to miss out on meeting the cast of Girl Meets World this time..I WANT to go to the presentations (Disney Legends, Animation, Live Action, Theme Parks, etc.) without sleeping outside all night (by the way, I hope y'all are showered at some point in that process.  Another deterrent).  I just don't understand why D23 hasn't worked on a middle ground type package.  I'd even be satisfied to pay more for JUST guaranteed seating to the presentations.

You hear that, Disney? I WANT to pay more money!

I'd sincerely like to know who this Sorcerer Package caters to, because it's certainly not the fans. I even have names for the middle package, free of charge, Disney.  The Broom Package! The Dancing Hippo Package.  The Chernabog Package...???

I cannot be the only person flummoxed by this odd price tier.  Please feel free to leave your comments down below.

Have a great week, talk to you all soon!