On the Sixth Day of Christmas in July, Merida Gave to Me::
Traveling for the Holidays
While there for the Holidays last year in December of 2018, we made sure to take full advantage of all that Disney World had to offer. We did the Very Merry Christmas Party, Festival of the Holidays, and more. We did it all! Our favorite Holiday Experience (next to the Very Merry Christmas Party) would be what Hollywood Studios has nightly. It is fun and cute and just put us in a great Holiday mood. It even snows!
It is part of your admission so you do not need to purchase anything extra and they have some really magical Holiday Entertainment. Here is what they offer nightly-
Meet Santa (and then once he ships off on the 24th, you can meet Santa Goofy!)
Minnie’s Holiday Dine – For dinner, you can dine with Minnie and her best friends all dressed in their Holiday Attire. The dinner will contain typical buffet items but festive holiday items will also be served all set to holiday music
Sunset Seasons Greetings (pictured above) is a fun projection show played on a billboard and The Hollywood Hotel. They have scenes from your favorite Disney movies AND IT SNOWS! This was one of my favorite parts. It plays on repeat and the littles just loved it. They still talk about it and are hoping to see it again this year!
Jingle Bell, Jingle Bam! – This projection show is displayed on the Chinese Theater along with lasers & beautiful fireworks. It is a beautiful display that bring your favorites to life – Prep & landing, Nightmare Before Christmas, Mickey’s Christmas Carol, and more. Do not miss it! If you would prefer just to show up right before the show instead of standing in your saved spot for 30 minutes there is a Dessert party that is available for purchase with reserved viewing section.
These Holiday bonuses that you get when visiting Hollywood Studios are a great reason to travel here during November & December in addition to all of the attractions and entertainment it usually offers.
Giving a Disney Destination as a Gift for the Holidays
I want to give my loved ones a Disney Destination as a gift for Christmas, but how can I make the gift giving process fun and exciting? Well, if you reserve with me and Magical Vacations, you will be sent a Minnie Box which would be an amazing gift already wrapped to place under the tree.
It is our thank you gift to you for putting your Disney Destination Trip in our hands. It is full of magic and excitement and will help you along with any trip you plan with us. It is a great gift in itself and you can stick it right under the tree. There is NO better way to say Merry Christmas!
Contact Me
If you would like assistance reserving a trip to a Disney Destination
for the 2019 Holidays or if you would like to beat ALL the Holiday
Shopping crowds and book a Disney Destination to gift to your loved ones
this year, contact me today!
I would be delighted to help you find a great way to wrap up your
gift to surprise your family! I look forward to hearing from you and
helping you plan your Holiday Magic soon!
Up next in our “Traveling for the Holidays” I wanted to look into a Disney Destination that I have never visited personally, but I have learned and heard SO much about! Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa.
Aulani is an amazing resort on a gorgeous island in Hawai’i. Vacationing here is a dream of mine and doing so during the holidays sounds even more magical. The activities and extra holiday events that the resort puts on during “Aloha Kalikimaka” sound so merry and fun. When it gets cold where you live, you are shipping off to an amazing tropical paradise. Plus! If you plan it right (that is where I come in) you can get a pretty decent discount.
Some of the wonderful holiday events that occur during the Holiday Season-
Holiday Caroling
Disney Characters in the Island-Inspired Holiday Best
Mickey Peppermint Macarons
“Kakamora” Inspired Gingerbread House
Sit with Aloha Santa
Keiki Holiday Cookie Decorating at Aunty’s Beach House
Holiday Island Merchandise
If you are lucky enough to be there on Christmas Day, there is a beautiful Christmas Day Feast served. It just sounds so magical and relaxing. Christmas in Paradise! I am ready!!
Giving a Disney Destination as a Gift for the Holidays
Aulani seems like the ultimate gift to give or receive for Christmas. Actually, right now, there is a 30% discount off of 5 night stays up until 12/21/19. That discount takes you right into this holiday season! Whether you want to give Aulani or any Disney Destination as a gift under the tree, it is always exciting to make the “gift” part fun and magical.
Here is the most fun (for us) and most frustrating (for kids) way we have given a trip to them. I took one of our Disney Cruise postcards and cut it up into puzzle pieces. Each kid got a puzzle in a Christmas card. They had to assemble the picture to see where we were going and to read the message we had written on it. They knew it was something awesome when the pieces fell out but they were so excited, they couldn’t get the silly thing together. What memories..
If this is something you are interested in frustrating your children with, let me know and I would be happy to send you a postcard for your gift delivery!
Disney Holiday Trivia
Which Characters Play the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, & Future in Mickey’s Christmas Carol?
Contact Me
If you would like assistance reserving a trip to a Disney Destination for the 2019 Holidays or if you would like to beat ALL the Holiday Shopping crowds and book a Disney Destination to gift to your loved ones this year, contact me today! I would be delighted to help you find a great way to wrap up your gift to surprise your family! I look forward to hearing from you and helping you plan your Holiday Magic soon!
On the Fourth Day of Christmas in July, Donald Gave to Me::
Traveling for the Holidays
Planning a trip to Disneyland during the Holiday Season is a great way to get into a jolly mood. There are so many Christmas themed events and changes that take place at the park that it is really worth a visit during this time.
Events include-
A Christmas Fantasy Parade
Believe…..in holiday magic Fireworks
It’s a Small World Lighting – the daily lighting of the facade of the ride, a lit up in Christmas Magic
It’s a Small World Holiday Overlay – See the Yuletide version of this classic
Lights & Decor – See one of the most Iconic theme parks decorated for Christmas
Haunted Mansion Holiday Tour – Nightmare before Christmas Overlay (AHHHHmazing!)
Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort – A guided Tour
All of this and more paired with California Adventure as well as the Downtown Disney District provides so much Holiday Happiness to each guest that visits. It is a highly recommended destination during the holidays for sure!
Giving a Disney Destination as a Gift for the Holidays
Wrap up a Disney Dream! If your kids have too much “stuff”, give them the gift of memories that will last a lifetime. There are so many fun ways to do this and you can go crazy with creativity or you can keep it simple. One of my favorite, more simple ways is to wrap up a favorite Disney character stuffed animal with a card in its hands that says “See ya Real Soon” for each family member. Just have anyone getting a gift box all open them at the same time and watch the celebrations begin! You can even tailor the stuffed animal to the type of Disney Destination! Gifting a Disney Cruise? Wrap up Sailor Minnie & Mickey! Gifting Disney World? Wrap up a favorite Princess or a Pirate. Gifting Adventures by Disney? Order a stuffed animal from Epcot through the My Disney Experience Shopping section – have it dressed according to the country you are traveling to.
If you would like Mickey stickers, park maps, or other fun literature to add to their gift box, let me know and I would be happy to send you some.
Contact Me
If you would like assistance reserving a trip to a Disney Destination for the 2019 Holidays or if you would like to beat ALL the Holiday crowds and book a Disney Destination to gift to your loved ones this year, contact me today! I would be delighted to help you find a great way to wrap up your gift to surprise your family! I look forward to hearing from you and helping you plan your Holiday Magic soon!
Today we look at one of my favorite parks to travel to during the Holidays – Epcot. Epcot has so many wonderful things going on during November & December. The whole park is decorated and the World Showcase is definitely a merry place to be.
At each different country, you will be able to learn about how that country celebrates Christmas. All 11 nations will share their holiday music, decor, and traditions. It is a great way to learn about Holidays in different cultures. With the addition of The Festival of the Holidays, you can also taste some classic favorites that they enjoy during the season. There are “Holiday Kitchens” placed throughout World Showcase for additional bites & sips from around the world. See if you can learn what Santa is called in all the different Countries displayed!
The Candlelight Processional is a favorite of many guests, so much so that it can now be part of a dinner package. Here, each night, a different celebrity will narrate The Christmas Story backed by a 50 piece orchestra and a choir. This is performed 3 times each night from 11/29-12/30 for the 2019 season.
What would the World Showcase be without a little fun for the kids? In between trying yummy new foods and learning how different cultures celebrate Christmas, littles can hunt for Chip & Dale! This great little scavenger hunt is a fun activity for the whole family. You can purchase your map at select gift shops. Once you find all the locations, you return your map to the gift shop and they will give you a keepsake. The maps are inexpensive and the keepsakes are pretty cute. One year we got all different DIY Disney ornaments.
A Few Festival Tips:
This is included with your admission, so plan to take advantage of it
Many of the items on the Holiday Kitchen Menus are “snack credits” and it is most often a great use of them
This Festival is more quiet & less busy during the week than a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday
The first two Candlelight Processionals of each day are much more crowded than the third – either way, it can definitely be enjoyed from the courtyard in the American Pavilion
Visiting Epcot during the Holiday Season is a fantastic way for you and your loved ones to get into the Holiday Spirit!
Giving a Disney Destination as a Gift for the Holidays
Be the envy of all around you when you say you have a HUGE jump start on your holiday shopping. Purchase a Disney Destination Trip for your family and put it under the tree!
I have been focusing on different ways to do this and a dear friend provided me with one of the ways she surprised their children. She had purchased a Disney World Vacation Package for them as a Christmas Gift. When they woke up Christmas Day, they unwrapped present after present until they got to the bigger boxes closest to the tree. When they unwrapped those, they discovered suitcases that were already packed with their clothes & necessities and ready to go! They looked on top of the luggage and saw the signature yellow luggage tags we send to guests to have their luggage transported to their resort. They were leaving that day and all they had to do was change their clothes and get to the airport. What a treat!
Holiday Recipes
Canada in Epcot has some outrageous Pecan Maple Bark during the Holiday Festival. Want to try it at home?
Ingredients: 2 cups butter 1 1/2 cups sugar 3/4 cup maple sugar 1/3 cup water 2 teaspoons maple extract
12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips 1 cup chopped pecans 2 teaspoons sea salt
Instructions:
1. Line cookie sheets with wax paper.
2. Combine butter, sugars, water, and maple extract in a saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat and stir continuously until mixture is around 270 Degrees
3. Pour mixture onto sheet and spread quickly. Let cool until it hardens
4. Place ice in bottom of large bowl and cover ice with a kitchen towel. Set aside.
5. Melt 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
6. Add 1/4 cup chocolate chips to melted chocolate and stir to melt
7. Spread melted chocolate onto cooled brittle. Sprinkle pecans and seasalt on top and let cool
8. Once completely cool, crack into whatever storage container you will use and Enjoy!
Contact Me
If you would like assistance reserving a trip to a Disney Destination for the 2019 Holidays or if you would like to beat ALL the Holiday crowds and book a Disney Destination to gift to your loved ones this year, contact me today! I would be delighted to help you find a great way to wrap up your gift to surprise your family! I look forward to hearing from you and helping you plan your Holiday Magic soon! If you would like assistance reserving a trip to a Disney Destination for the 2019 Holidays or if you would like to beat ALL the Holiday crowds and book a Disney Destination to gift to your loved ones this year, contact me today! I would be delighted to help you find a great way to wrap up your gift to surprise your family!
While there is not a whole lot of availability left for 2019, there are still a handful of Very Merrytime Sailings left that you can take advantage of. Take a break from the chilly weather and see what the Holidays are like on the High Seas!
There are Tree Lighting Ceremonies, your favorite Disney Characters dressed in their Holiday Best, as well as a few special surprises provided by our favorite Frozen Sisters. Many Holiday activities await you including decorating gingerbread houses and you may even catch Santa himself! He needs a break too, right? Don’t forget Holiday themed shows, entertainment and merchandise. Many guests say it is their favorite sailing of the year! Will it be yours?
Some Tips for your Very Merrytime Sailing:
Get in the spirit! Bring Ugly Sweaters, Festive Mickey Ears, Santa Hats – whatever Holiday Garb you would like!
Decorate! Bring some Holiday Cheer to your stateroom. Box Stores sell mini LED lit Christmas Trees that we bought to bring last year that are lit with just a USB Plug. Bring Holiday Decor for your Stateroom Door too!
Get the Character photos! It is only on these special sailings that you will find your favorite Disney Pals in Holiday Wear at Sea.
Enjoy the Holiday Treats. There are several yummy Holiday treats onboard. Make sure to get to the Hot Cocoa Bar after Mrs. Claus’s Story time.
Go to the Holiday Events! They are so special and unique to these sailings. They are well worth your time and you will be so happy you did!
Taking a Disney Cruise during these wonderful celebrations is a great way to enhance your holidays! I recommend one of the first sailings offered. It is a GREAT way to really get in the Holiday Spirit and kick off the season.
Giving a Disney Destination as a Gift for the Holidays
Get your Holiday shopping done early and reserve a trip for a Disney Destination. Whether it is a Disney Theme Park, Disney Cruise, Aulani, or an Adventure by Disney, your family is sure to be super excited about it and that excitement will continue until you travel.
One year with the littles were…littler, I got super creative. I cut out Cinderella’s Castle out of cardboard. The castle was about 4 ft. tall and the front doors were tall enough for them to go through. I drew details and colored it in. Behind the doors, I put two wrapped boxes full of things that they would use in Disney. When they came down Christmas Morning, they were able to open the doors and go “into” the castle and discovered all their wonderful goodies and that they were going to Disney World in a few short weeks. Their boxes included:
Our countdown
A Luggage Tag
Mickey Stickers (the kind you get in the parks)
Disney Sun Glasses
Disney Waterbottles
Disney Coloring book & Crayons
Glow Wands & swords (Dollar Tree)
A New Disney Shirt
A Disney Frame
An autograph book & Pen (For the 3 year old)
Disney Gift Card
Disposable Camera
The little guy didn’t really get it but my LilBug was totally excited and was so ready to go. It was great to watch her face light up as she went through the box and they kept the castle for a few months to play in.
Holiday Recipes
Mickey Cookies! Once again, using the sandwich shaper, we used sugar cookie dough and cut out several Mickey Heads. Once baked, you can use several different combinations of icings and sprinkles to decorate. We make these each year and leave some for Santa and share the rest with our family on Christmas Day. Enjoy!
Contact Me
If you would like assistance reserving a trip to a Disney Destination for the 2019 Holidays or if you would like to beat ALL the Holiday crowds and book a Disney Destination to gift to your loved ones this year, contact me today! I would be delighted to help you find a great way to wrap up your gift to surprise your family! If you are looking for some things to add to a surprise gift box, like the stickers I mentioned, let me know and I am happy to send you some!
Better yet, you can include the Minnie Box in their gift box. This is our Thank You gift to you for letting us assist in Planning Your Dreams. It will be full of Magic and Excitement and is a great way to get your family excited about any Disney Destination. I look forward to hearing from you and helping you plan your Holiday Magic soon!
It is hot, hot, hot out there. I hope everyone is
enjoying their Summer, spending time by the pool, lake, or ocean!
Let’s think some cool thoughts and Celebrate A Very Merry
Disney Christmas in July! I know its
still 5 months away but it always manages to sneak up on me anyway!
12 Days of Christmas posts will include hints, tips, recipes, and suggestions on how to make your Holiday Season a Magical Disney Holiday Season.
On the First Day of Christmas, Mickey gave to Me::
Traveling for the Holidays
This is a fantastic time of the year to head to any Disney Destination. Everywhere you look, there are beautiful light displays, holiday treats, and wonderful experiences to share with those that you love.
Today we will look at what it would be like to be at the Magic Kingdom during the holiday season.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is an amazingly magical event that takes place in the Magic Kingdom. There are holiday ride over-lays, special merchandise, delicious holiday treats (all you can enjoy Hot Cocoa and Christmas Cookies) and, ok yeah, about half the typical amount of guests that are usually in the parks. This is an after-ticket event and Disney controls how many tickets are sold. You will find the lines for your favorite rides to be a fraction of what they usually are. It is an amazing and magical time and I highly recommend it! Tip: Tickets say enter at 7pm but get in as early as 4pm! That is three bonus Hours in Magic Kingdom!!
Giving a Disney Destination as a Gift for the Holidays
My kids have so much “stuff”. There really is nothing that they need. To eliminate a bunch more “stuff” we have been giving a trip as a gift for the last few years. They have received Disney World quite a few times and this year will be a Disney Cruise. These trips are for later in the year and it is something we can look forward to together all year long. GOOD GRACIOUS does this make my holiday shopping easier.
The Monstrosity on the Left!
I wanted to offer a few different ways to “wrap up” a Disney Destination to put under the tree. One of my favorites is to fill a wrapped box with Disney Balloons. Now, with the Husband being an air condition/heating technician, I had him bring home the biggest A/C Box he could find. Y’all, this box was big enough for me to walk into! So we wrapped it in a really fun Mickey Christmas Paper (thank you, Dollar Tree) and inside we put an extra large mickey balloon and several star and round balloons. We put it out a week before Christmas and it drove them NUTS!! When they finally opened it all together on Christmas Morning, it was like Christmas Magic. Inside, I also put our family countdown that we always use, and a few different planning documents that we enjoy going over together. It was so much fun and we did enjoy talking about it until the following October when we actually traveled.
Recipes
Looking to add a little Disney Flair to your Holiday Desert? One of my Favorites would be Rice Crispy Mickey Heads!
Make Rice Crispy Treats as per the cereal box
Use the Mickey Head sandwich shaper or free form a mickey head
Dip the ears and top of head into melted baking chocolate
Use green and red sprinkles to decorate the chocolate
(can obviously use any colors for a fun treat for any holiday)
If you are looking to travel during the 2019 Holiday Season or if you would like to look into purchasing a trip to gift to your family this Holiday Season, contact me today! It is the fastest and easiest holiday shopping you will ever do and I am happy to help with all the fun and cheery details. Also, qualifying reservations will receive our Minnie Box! Our gift to you that arrives on your doorstep prior to your departure for your trip. It is filled with magic and excitement and is tailored to your travel party. I look forward to hearing from you and helping you plan your Holiday Magic soon!
Walt Disney World, Disneyland and the many other Disney theme parks are a wonderful destination! However, what happens when you want that Disney level of Service at a “slower paced” vacation? Or what if you want all the Disney character interaction but would prefer to see a different part of the world – a more tropical destination? a different country? I am happy to tell you that there are several other amazing Disney options beyond the theme parks.
Disney Cruises are a great way to immerse yourself in Disney theming and characters without ever stepping foot in a park. They have great destinations, port adventures, and there are characters and the true feeling of Disney throughout each ship. Some of the other parts of the world you can see on a Disney Cruise:
Aulani is another fantastic Disney Destination. Nestled in Ko Olina, Hawai’i, Aulani is a gorgeous paradise with the trademark Disney Difference. There are so many things to do and see at the resort and on the island and so much is included with your stay. For more information on Aulani, look here.
Adventures by Disney provides guests with a once in a lifetime trip to almost any corner of the Earth. You are accompanied by two guides who are the storytellers of your journey. They provide you with meal reservations, tours, and activities that fully immerse you in the culture of the area you are visiting. These are great for families and couples alike. They do tailor the trip to whoever is on the tour. Destinations that Adventures by Disney tour:
Asia
Africa
Australia
Europe
North America
Central & South America
River Cruises
They also can be added to a Disney Cruise for the ultimate immersive ship & port experiences. To learn more, please visit the Adventures by Disney Page.
Check out this great video provided by Travel Expert, Jeanenne Tornatore. She showcases her top 5 destinations beyond Disney Parks.
Disney Travel Professional YouTube Chanel
To learn more about any of these destinations or to receive a quote for the trip of a lifetime, contact me today! I would be happy to answer any questions, provide a no-obligation quote, and get you on your way to turning your Disney Dreams into Memories that will last a lifetime! I can be as hands on or off as you would like. Some guests I just hold their reservation so I can make them aware of anything that comes up – discounts, closures, changes..etc. Some guests, I do it all from start to finish and guide them the whole way. It is your vacation so it is up to you!
Qualifying reservations receive our Minnie Box. Our gift to you prior to your departure. It is full of magic and tailored to each guests travel. See ya real soon!
We got engaged at Disney, we Honeymooned there – it was time for another milestone trip. Our first trip in 10 years without our littles for our 10th Anniversary.
Resort Review
We arrived late afternoon to our home away from home for the weekend – the Polynesian. This was our first time staying here. We absolutely loved it and may or may not be thinking of joining DVC because of our stay here. The experience, amenities, and customer service were definitely elevated at this resort.
From the moment you check in and you get your Leis, you feel like part of their Ohana. We left our bags will Bell Services and went to check out our room. We had a balcony on the third floor in the Fiji Building (which was exactly what I requested when I called Disney with my room preferences; yay for Travel Agents!). It was beautiful. It was diagonal from the Great Ceremonial House where the restaurants, shops, & Monorail Platform are. Super close! Our view was of Bay Lake, the beach, and gardens. I spent each morning reading on that balcony and we sat out there one night to watch a beautiful storm pass through.
We enjoyed the beach & view of Magic Kingdom. Two of the nights we were able to watch the Fireworks over Magic Kingdom from the beach. Once was Happily Ever After and the other was the 4th of July Fireworks. We also saw the Electric Light Parade which I have enjoyed since I was a young child and I am SO glad they still show it each night.
We took full advantage of what the resort had to offer. We shopped in both shops at the resort. Between the two they have a wide selection of clothing, jewelry, accessories, toys, as well as things you would need that you may have forgotten at home, drinks, snacks, and more. The one thing I was looking for that I couldn’t find (a certain pair of earrings), a cast member looked in their inventory and found them for me at a shop in Epcot and had them for me the following day. Amazing service! We swam in both pools but we preferred the Lava Pool. The Oasis pool was beautiful but much more quiet. We liked the buzz and excitement of the Lave pool more. It is great that there are both options though! As for lounges & restaurants, we experienced Tambu Lounge, Capt. Cooks, & Trader Sam’s. The food and experiences were great at all 3 but my favorite would definitely be Trader Sam’s.
This is a must see for sure! We got right in without a wait which surprised me. The wait staff reacts differently to each item ordered off the menu and it becomes an experience the entire lounge takes part in. Between that and the decor, I could have spent hours there. Tip: Try to sit on a bar stool instead of on one of the couches – they have a fun surprise! Then there was transportation. I have not stayed at a Monorail resort in many years. In my opinion, it was worth every penny for that perk. It was super easy to come back for a swim mid-afternoon and took almost no time. It was great to visit other quick services and lounges along the Monorail line. We also had table service reservations at the Grand Floridian and the Contemporary so it was really nice to be so close to those. The buses for Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom were frequent so no issue there either. Transportation at the Polynesian is on point!
Just the general feel and environment that this resort offers is so great. We felt relaxed and as if we were on a beautiful lush island while staying there. It was very immersive and I hope to take the littles back on a trip in the not-so-far future.
Disney Springs
We spent the first evening snacking and sipping our way around Disney Springs. Our first stop was the DockSide Margarita Bar. We were drawn right in by the music. There was a gentleman playing all kinds of fun music. He was quite talented and especially shocked me when he started playing the conch shell as an instrument. He was great!
We headed over to Paddlefish. Formerly Fulton’s Crab House, this large (docked) paddleboat is a great place to stop for food & drinks. I highly recommend heading to the rooftop. The view from up there is great and they have some amazing Ice pops!
The Hangar Bar was next on the list – Inspired by Jock Lindsay, Indiana Jones’ Pilot. We love the fun decor and all the nods to the movies and Jock’s travels. We always stop here for the pretzel – it comes with some great beer cheese & tasty mustard. Its a nice little snack that we like to order and snack on. We sit out on the dry-docked boat that looks like it is straight out of The Jungle Cruise. There, we listened to the music at the near-by stage and watched the Amphicars come and go.
Winebar George is a great little spot. This time we stopped at “The Basket” which is basically like a little grab-and-go window. You can get the Frozcato as well as the Dole Whip so it is worth a stop!
From there we needed a bite to eat. Figuring we would check out something new, we stopped in at D-Luxe Burger. Fairly typical quick service – you order at a window, get a pager and wait for your food. In the meantime you can help yourself to a number of amazing dips for your fries and burgers. They let you add on toppings-i.e. bacon, at NO CHARGE. I was kinda shocked honestly. So we got a bunch of dips and waited for our food to arrive and guess what? These. Burgers. Rock. Oh good gracious, it was tasty – stop there if you are looking for a delicious but quick burger. You will not be disappointed!
I wanted to show the Husband some of the neat places I learned about on my most recent training trip. I took him down the hidden staircase for Enzo’s. We grabbed a quick drink here (wishing we were not so full because this Italian food looked and smelled fantastic) and then I took him through the “secret” back exit. Once through there we arrived in the Basement of The Edison. It was super crowded and the house band was real good. After that, we called it a night – wouldn’t you?!
Magic Kingdom
This is the weekend before 4th of July so this place is hoppin’! However the new fastpass+ system seemed to do a fairly decent job of spreading everyone around. We were able to do all the mountains and all the attractions we wanted to do (along with a meet-up with my favorite Princess) and we were out of there by 4! It all comes down to the way you spend your Fastpasses and which itinerary you follow. Using a few tips and tricks, it is not hard to see all that you want, even on a Holiday Weekend. One of my favorite parts of helping guests plan their trips is maximizing their time in the parks. It is kind of a Disney Science and I like to think I am not too shabby at it!
Construction is in full swing for Tron. They were not actively working during the day but so much progress has been made in just the few months since I was last here. I am getting super excited about it!
Delicious Bites worth Noting:
Loaded Waffle Fries from Golden Oak Outpost
Loaded Tots from The Friar’s Nook
Spicy Chicken Waffle from Sleepy Hallow
Animal Kingdom
The only part of Animal Kingdom that felt crowded was Pandora – No surprise there. We avoided Pandora because we fastpassed Flight of Passage for later in the day and went out on one of the first Safari’s of the day. I think we will try to do each trip going forward. There was SO much animal activity. We were even chased by an ostrich and the driver had to drive straight through the next habitat to get us away from him. My favorite was watching a lion and lioness play. It was like watching two furry kittens – they were having a lot of fun.
It was my mission to find and smooch on Kevin-The Snipe from Up. He can be found roaming the Kingdom. Well, he actually found me and came right up to us and pointed to our Anniversary pins and clucked a bunch. Nothing like a congratulations from a Snipe – my vacation was complete.
Delicious Bites worth Noting:
Mac & Cheese with Pulled Pork from Eight Spoon Cafe
Haystacks from Zuri Sweets Shop
We also found a neat little Nook over by Dinosaur! It is a Paleontologist’s Tent with some fun decor. The mixologist we encountered was fun and really knowledgeable. It seems to be more of an adult place but it did not say children couldn’t come in. We just liked the quiet and laid back vibe with the great theming as a background.
As usual, I took my stroll around the tree to see what new animals I could spot. I found what I think are reindeer! I will be doing my Christmas in July soon so I thought they were fitting!
Pandora was amazing, as always. It is quite breathtaking when you sit back and just consider your surroundings. Grab a beverage at Pongu Pongu and have a seat and take it all in. It is so worth taking the 5 minutes to do so.
Hollywood Studios
We got to the park 20 minutes before it opened and wound up very close to the opening line that they stop you at. We dropped back a bit because I insisted on going into the Trolley Car Cafe! We walked back to Toy Story to ride Midway Mania (already fastpassed Slinky Dog Dash for later). Wait was 5 minutes and when we came off, it was still 5 minutes. Swirling Saucers had no wait but Slinky was already up to 25 minutes. If you do not have a fastpass, go there first!
The highlight of the day was watching one of the Star Wars stage shows while facetiming our littles. We had a front row spot and I had a storm trooper come up to within a half-inch of my face. It scared the kids from 5 states away – but they loved it. I am excited to return in September and see what additional characters we can meet up with other than what they currently offer. My daughter would lose her mind if she could meet Rey and the same goes for me if I could meet Darth Maul. Can’t wait!
Delicious Bites worth Noting:
Peanut butter Crunch Cupcake at Trolley Car (OH my word…)
BBQ Brisket Melt at Woody’s Lunch Box
Chocolate Hazelnut Lunch Box Tart at Woody’s Lunch Box
Epcot
We had a Fastpass for Test Track so we got to the park about a half hour after opening and went right to Soarin’. It had no wait. The park was still quiet so we were able to get in a few more rides before our first Fastpass.
We caught not one, but two showings of The Jammitors. They do not perform the same act so you can see something different each time. If you have never stopped to see this short sidewalk show, you should! They are my husband’s favorite so we always see at least one showing. They give out fun little stickers that say “Junior Jammitor” which the Husband proudly wore the rest of the day…goof.
We finished up in Future World and headed for the Countries in World Showcase. We really went in depth into each country. We saw the inside of buildings and shops that we had not been able to enter for years because of impatient littles.
Special Places to check out –
La Cava in Mexico – the Guacamole is fantastic and it is a neat little spot off the beaten path
The walkways in China around the water are very pretty and they are full of fish and polywogs
The Fountain in Italy – a quiet and shady spot that is a peaceful spot to rest – note the grape vines full of grapes!
The Bazaar in Morocco – walk through all the different shops, they are so neat and different
The fountains & shops in France
While I have tried the phone booths in the United Kingdom as have several others, I have not gotten them to do much of anything in the past few years. While messing around with the phone, a Cast Member came up to us and said, “No, you are trying the wrong numbers. Call this number.” So we turned around to dial it and when we turned back, he was gone. We were soon delighted with a congratulatory message from Mickey and Minnie on our anniversary. THAT was some crazy Disney Magic! I love when it isn’t planned and just happens. I teared up a little.
We returned to our resort that evening to find the Magical Express folder on our door. What a sad sight! HOWEVER! We took advantage of our in-room bounceback offer and are already booked to return in September. This way I can visit Star Wars and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and relay any and all information I learn! If you have questions about where to find these offers, reach out to me!
If you would like me to assist in planning your Dream Vacation, contact me today and let’s get started!! My services are free of charge and I can help save you time and money! My passion and knowledge of Disney can really save you some stress and make your trip more enjoyable. Plus, qualifying reservations receive our Minnie Box! Our special thank you gift that is sent to you prior to departure for your trip. It is full of surprises and Magic and other wonderful things to enhance your stay.
A whole new food and beverage experience is coming to Disney Springs. Now that Summer is here, we are celebrating with wonderful fresh flavors of fruits and citrus. Come experience some of these delicious bites and sips! This special event is going on all summer through September 2nd. Stop at any of the participating locations or the Disney Springs Welcome Center for a guide.
Personal Experiences:
This is a fantastic #Adulting Opportunity. Yes, many of these things you can grab on the go if you have littles in tow but it is far more immersive if you can do it without them. This is a great event for locals who can head over for the evening, guests traveling for a girlfriends weekend, bachelor/bachelorette parties, Disneymoons and all the other wonderful reasons adults travel to Disney. Bonus: If you are staying on Disney Property, you don’t have to worry about how you are getting back to your room after a few of these tasty beverages!
I have personally been to several of these locations and the experience is just as amazing as the food and beverages. Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar is one of my favorites in Disney Springs and we hit it each time we are there. The food and drinks are so different from normal fare. The building itself is so creatively built and decorated – I mean, where else can you sit in a dry-docked boat and drink out of a Monkey’s Head?? This is also a cool spot because you can watch the Amphicars launch next door.
Wine Bar George is a really neat wine bar. The food is outrageous and they help you pair anything you would like with a beverage. If you are a Dole Whip fan like myself, you will have to stop here. They have a Frozcato which is basically a alcoholic frozen Dole Whip. It is a delight!
Here is the menu, direct from Disney:
Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar
Fountain of Youth Chicken Wings – Chicken wings served with St Augustine Datil Pepper Sauce
Florida Rain – Orange vodka, gin, coconut rum, blue curaçao, and sour mix
Key Lime Pie – Key lime pie with graham cracker crust and toasted coconut
Sandbar Sunday Islamorada Beer Company American Pale Wheat Ale
Splitsville
Tuna Poke Tower – Seared ahi tuna, spicy crab mix, diced Florida avocado, and Asian slaw stacked and served with crispy wonton chips
Strawberry Sake Spritzer – Local strawberries, lemon juice, elderflower liqueur, and rosé-infused sake garnished with a whole strawberry and mint
YeSake
Fresh Tuna Tekka Don – Fresh, customizable poke
bowl featuring sushi-grade tuna on a bed steamed rice topped with
avocado, cucumber, seaweed salad, tempura crunch, and a zesty house-made
yuzu aïoli
Violet Sake Slushie – Japanese sake, prickly pear, and lime topped with konpeito candy
Frozen Beer Shandy – Kirin draft beer with fresh-squeezed orange juice topped with frozen Kirin foam
T-REX
Boom Boom Alligator Tacos – Flour tortillas, fried alligator, and tropical fruit slaw topped with micro cilantro and spicy garlic sauce
Sailfish Brewing Co. Tag & Release Amber
The Ice Age – Rum, blue curaçao, piña colada purée, and orange juice
Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’
Key West Shrimp Cocktail – Seasoned shrimp hand tossed with avocado, mango, cucumber, and house-made cocktail sauce and served with buttermilk crackers
Blood Orange Madras – Blood orange moonshine, freshly muddled strawberries, pineapple purée, and cranberry juice
Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill
Local Buratta – Buratta made in Pompeo Beach, Florida served with prosciutto, arugula, fresh peaches, and basil pesto
Cigar City Jai Alai IPA
Paddlefish
Crab Ceviche – Blue crab, avocado, bell pepper, jalapeño, cilantro, and lime served with tortilla chips
Key Lime Wheat Ale
The BOATHOUSE
Steamed Peel and Eat Florida Shrimp – Florida shrimp dusted with Boathouse seasoning and served with drawn butter
Conch Republic Key Lime Wheat Ale
Pizza Ponte
A Zesty Slice of Florida – Pizza bianca with Florida lemon, ricotta cheese, arugula, and black pepper
Guyebera Citra Pale Ale
STK Orlando
Market or Fresh Catch Ceviche – Ceviche with passion fruit, lime, and chilis
La Playita Lager
Paradiso 37, Taste of The Americas
Florida Scorpion Shrimp Paella – Colossal gulf
shrimp, mussels, pancetta, peas, crushed red pepper, tomatoes, and
savory Key lime butter tossed with Calasparra rice and broiled to
perfection
Sunset Margarita – Tequila, cointreau, and fresh-squeezed Florida orange juice
Planet Hollywood
Citrus Kale Salad – Superfood blend of kale,
julienned broccoli, slivered Brussels sprouts and cabbage, feta, fresh
grapefruit and oranges, cranberries, sunflower seeds, and agave dressing
Key Lime Martini – Vodka, ice cream, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup with a graham cracker crumbs rim
Orange Gator & Waffle Cone – Tempura alligator wok-tossed with a sweet Florida orange sauce and served in a house-made waffle cone
Pulp Friction Grapefruit IPA
Wanting to plan a last minute trip? There are still rooms available for the Summer. Disney just released a Summer Ticket Promotion and there are still room & dining promotions available. Contact me today and we can get you a no-obligation quote! My services are always free of charge and you get all my knowledge and planning tips too, not to mention stress-free planning! Plus qualifying trips receive our Minnie Box! Our special gift to your travel party tailored to your trip. Talk to you Soon!
2019 is going to be a Very Merry Holiday at Walt Disney World. There will be new offerings all over the resort as well as the return to several favorites.
Animal Kingdom
For the very first time, Animal Kingdom is going to completely deck the halls! New decor in every land, new street performances and entertainment, holiday lanterns that will glow, and even Pandora will celebrate and Earth Holiday thanks to some of the humans that stayed behind.
In the evenings, all the lands will sparkle with holiday splendor and the Tree of Life will take on a wintery appearance and holiday tunes will be heard. Starting November 8th, come see how the Holidays transform this magical land full of beautiful animals, far off lands, and some of your favorite Disney Pals!
Epcot
The Candlelight Processional will return once again during Festival of the Holidays. Candlelight Processional Dining packages will also be available. From November 29-December 30, guests can discover holiday traditions, festive bites & sips, and special entertainment through 11 countries. In addition to the 11 countries, there will be Holiday Kitchens from additional places around the world. They will also be offering wonderful treats to try.
For the kiddos (and kiddos at heart), you will be able to hunt for Chip & Dal again in their Christmas Tree Scavenger Hunt. We always find this is a great activity to keep the littles busy while we check out the countries.
Hollywood Studios
Many of our favorites will return to Hollywood this year. Olaf will make his grand appearance in a fantastic holiday Finale of “For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Holiday Sing-Along”. This ending is different from the normal show and brought me to tears. It was so sweet.
“Jingle Bell, Jingle Bam” is set to return. We loved this display on the Chinese theater. It is a great combination of projections, fireworks, and great music. I recommend finding a good spot about a half hour prior to it starting because that street fills up FAST!
One of the neatest things I found last year was the show on Sunset that was projected onto the Hollywood Tower Hotel. Set to music along with some blustery surprises, this one was one of my kids favorites. It is on a loop so it is not hard to catch. We must have seen it at least four times!
WHO KNOWS what is in store for the holidays at Galaxy’s Edge. I wonder how they will decorate for the holidays! I am excited to visit and find out and maybe pick up a gift for someone special from a Galaxy Far, Far Away!
Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom will be decked out in its traditional Holiday decor. The magic really comes to life when you visit during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. There is special stage shows, a beautiful parade concluded with Santa, himself, and NEW this year is a new Holiday Fireworks Display.
Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime is an all-new Nighttime Spectacular coming to Magic Kingdom this Holiday season. This Park-Wide display will be set to holiday tunes that will warm your heart. HINT: This is the one Fireworks show that we INSIST we watch from Main Street.
The beautiful Once Upon A Christmas Time parade will be back along with other favorites – “Totally Tomorrowland Christmas’ Stage Show, “Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration”, and of course, Elsa’s “Frozen Holiday Wish”
Resorts
We will update these as they are confirmed but as in years past, resorts will be decorated for the holiday. Some of my favorites to visit:
Gingerbread House at Grand Floridian
Chocolate Display at Contemporary
Holiday Tree at Wilderness Lodge, Grand Floridian, and several other resorts that display these themed Holiday Beauties.
Disney Springs
In addition to all the amazing holiday shopping you can get done, Disney Springs is a Holiday Destination all on its own.
You can stroll down the Christmas Tree trail where you can see custom-decorated trees. Each tree will be decorated to a specific holiday theme. I cannot wait to see what themes there will be this year.
Guests are welcome to come visit Santa in his Chalet until December 24th when he has to head back north. From there, Santa Goofy will meet with guests until the 31st.
Need something to occupy the littles with while you get some shopping done? Experiment 626 is hiding in Disney Springs. You and your family can hunt for Stitch in his Holiday Gift Hunt.
These are just some of the few things we already know are lined up. There is so much more to be announced and it will be updated here as I learn of them.
If you are ready to start planning your holiday trip, contact me today for a no-obligation quote! My services are free of charge and I am happy to help you from start to finish with anythin you may need. Let me help plan your most Merry trip ever!
Turning Dreams Into Memories 