On the Eighth Day of Christmas in July, Piglet Gave to Me::
Traveling for the Holidays
Disney goes above and beyond with their decorations everywhere they can. The Resorts are no exception! We take an entire day and go to several resorts when we are there during the Holidays. They have uniquely decorated Christmas Trees, Gingerbread Houses, lights, and more. Here is our Guide to Disney World Resorts during the Holidays. We like to start at the Monorails resorts, take a boat the Wilderness lodge, then head to the Boardwalk Resorts, and finally, end at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Each resort’s Tree will be decorated to the theme of the resort. It was fun to take the little’s pictures in front of all of them. The resorts will each have special holiday merchandise for purchase in their gift shops as well.
Grand Floridian – Beautiful tree & a Gingerbread House you can actually go in
Contemporary – Stunning Tree out at the entrance to the Resort plus a really pretty & fun Cinderella Gingerbread House
Polynesian – Very bright & fun Christmas Tree
Wilderness Lodge – Very Large and softly decorated Christmas Tree
Boardwalk Inn – Fun & tasty Gingerbread Version of the Boardwalk, an opportunity to build your own Gingerbread house with one of their chefs, and a very large tree in the yard outside
Beach Club – See an elegant Carousel made out of gingerbread along with a beautifully decorated tree and wreaths
Yacht Club – Beautiful Seaside-Themed Tree and an elaborate Holiday Train Display
Animal Kingdom – We like to finish up here and see some of the animals in the Savannah. See a large, warmly decorated tree
Hint:: There are Hidden Mickey’s throughout each Gingerbread Display!
If you are planning a trip to Walt Disney World during the Holidays, definitely plan on stopping at these Resorts. If not all of them, at least try to check out a few. They will truly enhance your holiday.
Giving a Disney Destination as a Gift for the Holidays
If you are not a fan of pinterest and prefer to let someone else come up with a way to “gift” a Disney Trip, let me simplify it for you! Just present them with our Minnie Box! It is full of pixi dust, magic, and surprises plus your very own personalized travel guide book. Each box is personalized and tailored to the travel party and they are so much fun to open. We can send you yours with your qualifying Disney Destination Trip that is booked through us. They are included with my services – which are free by the way.
Recipe – Mickey Christmas Bread
This starts with raw cinnamon rolls.
Purchase a roll of them from the store or craft your own
Take three rolls and place them together so they look like a Mickey Head
Bake
Once golden brown, remove from over and ice. You can use icing, chocolate sauce, strawberry sauce, caramel – whatever is your favorite
Decorate with holiday sprinkles, gummies, cherries – anything you would like.
We have these each year on Christmas Morning – it is a family tradition.
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!
There is nothing like the excitement when that generic, white, rectangular box gets pulled out of the mail. What many who handle that white box along its travels do not know is that it holds the key to your Disney Vacation – Magic Bands! As generic as it my look, my littles know exactly what it is and we do a little happy dance around the mailbox when it arrives. What color did each person choose? What does it say on the inside of the band? SO much excitement and an awesome milestone on your countdown to Disney. Well, Magic Bands just got a little more exciting!
Now, in addition to the regular colors of the rainbow, Disney is going to offer all new options. Over 30 new options will be available for you to choose from! These new options will feature some of your favorite Disney Characters plus all new patterns and designs.
While they will not be complimentary, guests can use a $14.99 credit (the cost of a plain Magic Band) towards an upgrade to one of these new options.
We are being told they will roll out in the next few weeks. Possibly in time for me to customize for my own June Trip?! C’MON Disney, its my 10th Anniversary – Please, Please make it happen!
We are not being told how much they will be so i’m not yet sure on how much over the $14.99 they will cost. You will be able to choose and purchase right through My Disney Experience. Super fun & easy! Check out this video all about it:
Let me know if you would like to get started on planning your dreams! I can help you with everything from Magic Bands to Magical Express and all my services are free of charge!
Extra (additional), Extra Magic Hours are coming to Disney World this Fall!
Because of all the excitement surrounding Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Disney is opening adding more Extra Magic Hours to the calendar.
Extra Magic Hours are offered at a select Disney World park each day. They happen either before the park opens or after the park closes. They are available at no charge to Disney Resort Guests and other select hotel guests only. They typically last an hour or two and the park in which it is offered rotates.
Well now – With the addition of Extra, Extra Magic Hours, you will have way more options and a lot more time available to be in the parks. This is what they are offering now to Disney Resort and other Select Hotel Guests:
Hollywood Studios will open daily at 6am from September 1st – November 2nd.
Magic Kingdom will open daily at 7am from August 29th – November 2nd
Animal Kingdom will open daily at 7am from August 29th – November 2nd
Epcot will still have occasional Extra Magic Hours as it does now
This adds several hours of possible park touring time to your vacation. It also definitely has me rethinking how I will plan Fastpasses for my guests traveling in the fall as well as my own trips.
If you would like some guidance on how to take full advantage of these Extra, Extra Magic Hours or even if this just gets you so excited that you are now ready to book a trip, contact me today!
Disney has released a few bits of information about what you will be able to find in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. One of the first previews of merchandise was put out:
This first set of merchandise is for the Resistance Supply and First Order Cargo. There are badges, pins, key chains, bags, cups, and more. It all looks so official, I cannot wait to see it in person.
While the merchandise looks fantastic, I may be even more excited about the theming around the restaurants and food. Lucasfilm Ltd., Coca-Cola, and Disney all got together to make these fantastic beverages –
How incredibly fun!!??! I want one right now and my Son would flip over these. Being able to purchase and drink from these while in the land is just one of the many immersive ways Disney will have us feeling like we are right there at Batuu. They will be limited to Batuu so if you are looking for one, they will be available there starting this Summer at Disneyland and this August at Hollywood Studios.
Disney has announced the dates and details for the 2019 International Food & Wine Festival as well as the International Festival of the Holidays.
This year, the Food & Wine Festival will run the longest it ever has; starting August 29th and running through November 23rd. The Eat to the Beat Concert will offer artists from August 29th to November 19th.
The festival will continue to offer culinary delights from countries all around the world. You can also expect to see the return of top celebrity chefs as well special events and dining packages.
The International Festival of the holidays will return again this year. It will run November 29th to December 30th. We experienced this event last year and we really loved it. It was similar to the Food and Wine festival with an emphasis on the holidays each country celebrates. We loved it! It was a great way to get in the holiday spirit. We traveled the first and second week of December so we experienced low crowds which made it easier to tour!
Several countries will return with their holiday specialties. There will be special entertainment, storytellers, kid’s events, and of course, the return of The Candlelight Processional.
I will update as more details are released, including the Eat to the Beat schedule as well as the schedule for Candlelight Processional Celebrity Narrators.
These are great events that guests rave about and return each year to take advantage of. If you are interested in visiting during one of the wonderful Epcot Festivals, contact me and we can get a vacation package set up for you and turn you Dreams into Memories! Ask about the Minnie Box!
Remember the After Hours we discussed here and how they are extending the events into the summer? Well the Disney Villains just decided to take over all of the After Hours at the Magic Kingdom from June 6th-August 8th.
The After Hours will take on a wicked theme (wicked but not scary!) and the Magic Kingdom will offer special merchandise, entertainment, food & beverages, and more! New additions for these Villainous evenings:
A new Villain Stage Show – Hades will star in this awesome new entertainment and will be joined by Jafar, The Queen, Dr. Facilier, and Maleficent.
Maleficent the Dragon – This alone excites me tremendously. Maleficent in her dragon form will be out for the first time at night! I cannot wait to see how amazing she will look when she breathes fire in the dark.
Ride Enhancements – Experience how some of the rides will be different – Pirates of the Caribbean & Space Mountain.
Food & Beverage – Try new and fun evil options inspired by the Villains themselves.
Merchandise – There will be new logo merchandise avaialble for these special After Hours in addition to a great display of their typical Villain merchandise.
You!! – You can dress up as your favorite villain – just be sure to adhere to Disney’s Costume Policy
Planning to vacation this summer or already have a trip planned? Let’s get this awesome event added to your trip. Contact me for a no-obligation quote today! Already reserved through Disney? We can have your reservation transferred so I can assist you with all the fun steps of planning and make it all go smooth.
Disney World & Disneyland will celebrate Spring’s arrival with the return of the Eggstravaganza!
From April 5-21, these fun eggs will be hidden through Epcot in Walt Disney World and Disneyland, California Adventure, and Downtown Disney District. Get your map and stickers and join in the hunt! These can be purchased at select merchandise locations for $6.99.
Search for eggs designed as some of your Disney Favorites and then place the corresponding sticker on the map to show where you found it. Show your completed map to Cast Members at select locations and receive a prize!
We found this so entertaining for our littles and it allowed us some extra adult time when walking “around the world”. It may buy the adults a little extra time to enjoy the Flower & Garden Festival.
With all of the big changes coming to Walt Disney World and Disneyland over the next few years, Disney felt the need to restrict a few things. These changes are for the safety and concern of their guests. These new policies & changes will go into effect May 1st.
Strollers
They are restricting the size of stroller permitted into the parks. If you are traveling with a stroller, the new maximum dimensions are 31″ (79cm) wide and 52″ (132cm) long or smaller. This is a GOOD thing. The smaller stroller you have, the easier it is for you to navigate through crowds. If everyone complies, foot traffic will move much smoother.
Wagons
Disney will no longer permit wagons. The wagon style strollers such as the ones made by “Keenz” will not be permitted either, even though you can “push” them like a stroller.
Smoking
Every time I read that, I hear it in Mrs. Doubtfire’s voice. No? Just me? Ok, anyway, there will no longer be smoking sections inside Disney Parks. There will be a designated smoking area outside of the parks near the entrance instead. This will be in effect for all of Walt Disney World, Disney Water parks, Disney Springs, ESPN, Disneyland and Downtown Disney. For guests that are staying in a Resort Hotel or may venture to one for dining/entertainment, they will also each have a designated smoking area. This does include vaping as well.
Loose/Dry Ice
Disney happily let’s us all bring in coolers with our own drinks and food. What they will no longer allow are coolers full of “loose ice” or dry ice. They encourage the use of ice packs and if you require loose ice for any reason, it is available at no charge at their quick service restaurants.
Let me know if you would like clarification on any of these or if you have any questions!
Captain Hook is looking for new recruits to help him swab the deck! If you are 4-12 and are looking for a great adventure with the Captain and his crew, then this would truly be a magical adventure for you! They set sail from Disney’s Beach Club resort and the crew will be taught how to walk, talk, and act like a pirate before setting out on the ultimate treasure hunt. Once the treasure is found, the crew will be treated to a pirate’s feast! All of this and more on this new adventure which will start setting sail April 2019. Now taking reservations!!
Mermaid School
If you or your little has always wanted to be a mermaid, now you can be part of Ariel’s World! Offered at select Walt Disney World Resort Pool’s will be a class teaching you just how to do that! Mermaids, ages 4 and up will be fitted with their very own mermaid tail. During an hour long class, you will be taught how to swim and play the mermaid way!
Art Program
Now being offered at various Disney Hotel Resorts are art classes offered by Disney Professional Artists. Guests ages 12 and older can create their own masterpiece. There is a junior class for kids at Port Orleans for 6 and up. Offerings include:
Win, Paint, Show at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Wild About Painting, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Painting on de’ Bayou (adults), Painting by the Lagoon (kids), Disney’s Port Orleans – French Quarter Resort. Children’s painting class; designed for ages 6 and older; accompanying parent required.
Painting in the Vineyard, Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts
Canvas and Wine Glass Painting on the Boards, Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
Calling all fisherman, big and small!! Guests can take a guided fishing tour of Seven Seas Lagoon. Guests of all ages can choose between a pontoon boat or a bass fishing boat with up to 5 in a party. Excursions are catch and release and can be chartered for 2 or 4 hours
Looking to enhance your trip by adding some extra magic?! Contact me and we can add any of these to a vacation package for you!
The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is just around the corner. This year, it will run March 6th through June 3rd. This Limited Time Magic is not something you want to miss. The flowers are stunning and we love walking through all of the gardens, but now let’s talk about the food offerings!
This year, 17 Outdoor Kitchens will be serving as well as other areas for tastings throughout Epcot. The food will all be inspired by fresh ingredients that you can find in gardens. They do have vegetarian and gluten free options if that is something someone in your party prefers or requires. Don’t miss out on all the delicious offerings and fun beverages!
2019 Menu’s:
ARBOR (Located at The Gardeners Terrace in The Odyssey Center) Food:
Fried Green Tomatoes with Blue Crab-Fennel Salad, Remoulade, and Smoked Paprika Oil
Smoked Salmon Stack with Avocados, Tomatoes, Sour Cream, Caviar, and Focaccia Crostino
Mixed Berry Buttermilk Cake with Apple Cider Sorbet (GF, V)
Beverages:
Original Sin Brewery Black Widow Hard Cider, New York, NY
Florida Beer Company Caribé Strawberry Rose Hard Cider, Cape Canaveral, FL
3 Daughters Brewing Key Lime Apple Hard Cider, St. Petersburg, FL
Karbach Brewing Lemon and Ginger Radler Houston, TX
Seadog Brewing Company Sunfish Ale, Clearwater, FL
Shipyard Brewing Company Grind the Rind Watermelon IPA, Portland, ME
Cider Flight
Beer Flight
LA ISLA FRESCA (Located in Showcase Plaza East) Food:
Jamaican-braised Beef with Pigeon Pea Rice and Micro Cilantro
Sugar Cane Shrimp Skewer with Steamed Rice and Coconut-Lime Sauc
Tropical Mousse Cake: Layers of Passion Fruit Cake, Coconut Mousse, and a Tropical Fruit Glaze with Fresh Pineapple
Beverages:
Tropical Freeze (non-alcoholic)
Golden Road Brewing Tart Mango Cart Wheat Ale, Los Angeles, CA
Tropical Freeze with Mango Rum
THE CITRUS BLOSSOM (Located near Refreshment Port) Food:
Lobster Tail with Meyer Lemon Emulsion and Grilled Lemon (GF)
Tuna Tataki with Spicy Yuzu Glaze, Mango, Avocado, and Pappadam Crisp
Crispy Citrus Chicken with Orange Aïoli and Baby Greens (GF)
Orange Cream Slushy in a Souvenir Orange Bird Sipper (sipper only available while supplies last) (non-alcoholic)
Islamorada Beer Company Coconut Key Lime Ale, Fort Pierce, FL
First Magnitude Brewing Lemon Hefeweizen, Gainesville, FL
Heavy Seas Brewery TropiCannon Citrus IPA, Halethorpe, MD
Orange Sunshine Wine Slushy
Beer Flight
PINEAPPLE PROMENADE (Located near Refreshment Port) Food:
Spicy Hot Dog with Pineapple Chutney and Plantain Chips
Pineapple Soft-serve Ice Cream (V)
Beverages:
Frozen Desert Violet Lemonade (non-alcoholic)
Pineapple Soft-serve Ice Cream with Fanta (non-alcoholic)
Coastal Empire Beer Co. Coco Piña Gose, Savannah, GA
Maui Brewing Co. Pineapple Mana Wheat, Kihei, HI
SweetWater Brewing Company Goin’ Coastal IPA with Pineapple, Atlanta, GA
Playalinda Brewing Company Violet Lemonade Ale, Titusville, FL
Florida Orange Groves Winery Sparkling Pineapple Wine, St. Petersburg, FL
Pineapple Soft-serve Ice Cream with Coconut Rum
Pineapple Beer Flight
THE HONEY BEE-STRO Hosted by National Honey Board (Located near Refreshment Port) Food:
Roasted Cauliflower with Buckwheat Honey Carrot Purée, Wild Rice
Pilaf, Asparagus, Honey-blistered Grapes, Sunflower Brittle, and
Coriander Flowers (GF, V)
Honey Tandoori Chicken Flatbread with White Cheddar Cheese, Charred Vegetables, Clover Honey Sour Cream, and Micro Citrus Greens
Local Wildflower Honey-Mascarpone Cheesecake with Orange Blossom
Honey Ice Cream garnished with Fennel Pollen Meringue Kisses and Petite
Lavender Shoots (V)
Beverages:
Honey-Peach Cobbler Freeze (non-alcoholic)
Goodwood Brewing Company Brandy Barrel Honey Ale, Louisville, KY
TASTE OF MARRAKESH (Located in the Morocco Pavilion) Food:
Harissa Chicken Kebab with Dried Fruit Couscous Salad
Fried Cauliflower with Capers, Garlic Parsley, and Chili-Ranch Sauce
Walnut Honey Baklava
Beverages:
Casa Beer
Larroque Chardonnay, Meknes
White Sangria
Desert Rose: Sparkling Wine topped with Pomegranate Liqueur
HANAMI (Located in the Japan Pavilion) Food:
Frushi: Fresh Pineapple, Strawberry, and Melon rolled with Coconut
Rice, sprinkled with Toasted Coconut, Whipped Cream with Raspberry Sauce
on the side (V)
Chilled Soba Noodle Salad with Pan-seared Tuna and Wasabi Dressing
Chicken Karaage with Nanban Sauce: Japanese-style Fried Chicken
served on a bed of Shredded Cabbage and topped with a Soy and
Vinegar-based Dressing
Beverages:
Kirin Draft Beer
Sayuri “Little Lilly” Nigori Sake
“Ichigo Sun” Strawberry Lemonade Cocktail with Sake, Strawberry Purée, and Lemonade
FUNNEL CAKES (Located in The American Adventure)
Key Lime Funnel Cake topped with Crumbled Graham Cracker and Whipped Cream
Lexington Brewing Company Kentucky Vanilla Barrel Cream Ale, Lexington, KY
Short’s Brewing Company Local’s Light Lager, Bellaire, MI
Dogfish Head Brewery American Beauty Pale Ale, Milton, DE
Brooklyn Brewery Defender IPA, Brooklyn, NY
Golden Road Brewing Pineapple Cart Wheat Ale, Los Angeles, CA
3 Daughters Brewing Hard Rosé Cider, St. Petersburg, FL
Beer Flight
THE SMOKEHOUSE: BARBECUE AND BREWS (Located in The American Adventure) Food:
Pulled Pig Slider with Coleslaw
Beef Brisket Burnt Ends and Smoked Pork Belly Slider with Garlic Sausage, Chorizo, Cheddar Fondue, and House-made Pickle
Shredded Beef Brisket with Smoked Potato, Chorizo Fondue, and Green Tomato Relish
Warm Chocolate Cake with Bourbon-salted Caramel Sauce and Spiced Pecans (V)
Beverages:
Frozen Simply Lemonade (non-alcoholic)
Central 28 Brewing Company Sunshine Greetings Orange Hibiscus Wheat Ale, DeBary, FL
3 Daughters Brewing Phantasmas Spicy Double IPA, St. Petersburg, FL
Shipyard Maple Bacon Stout, Clearwater, FL
Boneshaker Zinfandel, Lodi, CA
Frozen Simply Lemonade with Blackberry Moonshine
Beer Flight
FIFE & DRUM (Located in The American Adventure)
Short’s Brewing Company Soft Parade Shandy, Bellaire, MI
PRIMAVERA KITCHEN (Located in the Italy Pavilion) Food:
Pizza Toscana: Rustic Italian Flatbread with Sweet Sausage, Caramelized Onion, Mozzarella, Asiago, and Parmesan Cheeses
Pomodori Verdi e Mozzarella: Fried Green Tomatoes, Mozzarella Cheese, and Balsamic Reduction
Tri-colored Cheese Tortellini, Sage Butter, and Chicken Veloute
If you would like to escape to Epcot in the next few months to experience all the Food & Garden Festival has to offer, contact me and we will get you on your way!
Turning Dreams Into Memories 