Blog Posts by Leigh Miller

Top 10 Rides for Tweens & Teens at Magic Kingdom

4/25/2023 • Blog, Walt Disney World • Let’s face it, sometimes it can be difficult for tweens and teens to get excited about rides at Magic Kingdom. It can seem that Magic Kingdom has more rides and attractions for smaller kids. Here’s my top 10 rides for tweens & teens by location: Tomorrowland: 1. Astro Orbiter This high-flying ride sometimes gets overlooked. Maybe because in order to board this 2-person spacecraft, you take a quick elevator ride up to the launch pad. You’re able to control how high you fly by pulling or pushing the lever inside your retro spacecraft. The best time to fly is at night to get a great view of the park light up at night or during the fireworks for an extra special view! 2. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin Get ready to help fight Zurg from stealing batteries from helpless toys by aiming your infrared laser cannon at the glowing Z […]

Celebrating 100 Years of Disney at Disneyland Resort!

2/21/2023 • Blog, Disneyland • You may have heard, there’s a party going on at Disneyland this year. It’s time to celebrate 100 years of Disney! There’s a lot to celebrate at Disneyland this year. From all of the decorations around the parks and resorts, to the fun merchandise to purchase to commemorate, there’s a lot to see and do! Below are a few other fun things in store this year for the celebration. Wondrous Journeys at Disneyland Park Wondrous Journeys is a dazzling display of 100 years of Walt Disney Animation Studios storytelling on Sleeping Beauty’s Castle and Main Street, U.S.A. You’ll be amazed at how these talented artists transform an empty canvas into beloved Disney characters. This is all brought to life by stunning state-of-the-art projection technology and on select nights, sensational pyrotechnics! World of Color – ONE at Disney California Adventure Over at Disney’s California Adventure, you’ll find how a ripple can […]

Universal’s Aventura Hotel

12/27/2022 • Blog, Reviews, Universal Studios • Universal’s Aventura Hotel is one of Universal’s newer hotel options. It’s located between Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort. It’s also within walking distance to Volcano Bay and offers views of all 3 Universal Orlando theme parks. Aventura is definitely a resort to consider when visiting Universal Orlando. Aventura is a smaller, modern resort with a lot to offer. Not only does it have standard rooms, deluxe rooms, and kids suites, but you can also upgrade to a Skyline View for breathtaking views from the highest floors of the tower building. With the upgraded view, you’ll be sure to see all of the parks from your window. It makes you feel more part of the excitement of being in the middle of it all! The food and drink offerings at Aventura are like none other. At the Urban Pantry food hall in the main lobby, you’ll […]

Capture Your Moment – Disney Photo Session

4/15/2022 • Blog, Walt Disney World • When visiting Walt Disney World over the years with my family, we always tried to take as many pictures as possible. It was something special that we could look back on to remember the fun times we had as a family. Our only problem was getting everyone in the picture. Disney’s solution is, a Capture Your Moment photo session! Capture Your Moment is an enchanting extra that Disney offers to guests at each of their 4 theme parks. With this enchanting extra, you’ll reserve a personalized 20-minute photo session that captures the excitement of your day and of your family being at Walt Disney World. Disney’s PhotoPass photographer will suggest different poses and places to take pictures around the parks all while snapping away. If you feel that 20 minutes just isn’t long enough, you can make back-to-back reservations and extend your session to 40 minutes. Here are some occasions […]

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is More Than a Theme Park

2/8/2022 • Blog, Walt Disney World • Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park opened its doors on April 22, 1998. This zoological theme park not only is home to some thrilling rides & attractions, it’s also home to several wild animals and exotic jungle trails. Its mission is to lead Walt Disney Parks and Resorts to care for animals and the environment as well as to connect people to nature and conserve our natural resources. As you enter the park, you’ll notice the lush greenery that lines the way to visit and view some wild animals, such as migratory birds, butterflies, and Komodo Dragons to name a few. You’re able to read and learn about these animals. Want to learn more about these wild animals, their habitat, and how to care for them? No problem! Hop on the Wildlife Express Train to Rafiki’s Planet Watch. It’s home to the Affection Station petting zoo, Habitat Habit!, an outdoor discovery […]

Celebrating Independence Day at Walt Disney World

3/12/2021 • Holidays & Events, Walt Disney World • Does your summer vacation happen to fall in July or were you wanting to celebrate Independence Day at one of the most magical places on earth?  Well, you’ve picked a great time and place to see something special! Throughout all of the parks, Walt Disney World will be celebrating the 4th with all of the Disney touches. Only at Magic Kingdom can you celebrate July 4th on the 3rd. That’s right, they will have 2 special firework shows. Celebrate America – A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky. Fireworks will be shown on July 3rd and 4th. These fireworks are sure to amaze you as well as celebrate our country's birthday.   The flag retreat is another hidden gem that happens at Magic Kingdom every night at 5 pm.  Make sure you put this on your list of must-do’s as well. You'll want to head to the town square on Main […]

Disney PhotoPass: Super Zoom Magic Shot

12/15/2020 • Blog, Tips, Walt Disney World • When visiting Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, it always seems that time just goes way too fast. Before you know it, you’re back home thinking of all of the fun and magical memories that were created. A special part of these memories is the photographs that capture these special moments. They are ones that you’ll look back on in years to come to relive the magical time you had. Disney recognized how important it is to be able to look back on these memories. This, in turn, brought about the creation of the Disney PhotoPass. A recent addition to the different Disney PhotoPass options is the Super Zoom Magic Shot. The Super Zoom Magic Shot is a great way to get everyone in the picture in front of some of Disney’s iconic structures and lands. Disney PhotoPass photographers are roaming by Cinderella’s Castle, Batuu, and the Millennium Falcon at […]

A Hidden Treasure Awaits at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto

6/29/2018 • Reviews, Walt Disney World • Does the name Trader Sam sound familiar? If you’re a long-time Disney fan, it should. Trader Sam is the legendary “head” salesman who offers you a hard-to-pass-up deal—2 of his heads for 1 of yours—at the conclusion of Jungle Cruise in Magic Kingdom.  Don’t worry, you don’t have to trade anything in order to enjoy this hidden treasure. Tucked away on the ground floor of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and down a hallway, you’ll come to a door that will display Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto and the hours that it’s open.  Actually, you’ll probably walk right past it the first time, like I did!  I missed it and walked outside and followed the sign to the outdoor terrace of Trader Sam’s.  The outdoor terrace looked like a very nice, standard terrace with plenty of umbrella covered tables and chairs.  There was a very small bar that you could order your refreshments. […]

Featured Restaurant – Maria & Enzo’s at Disney Springs

4/30/2018 • Reviews, Walt Disney World • After our boat docked at Disney Springs, I made my way over to Maria & Enzo’s to look at their menu.  I was pleasantly surprised to find the captain’s description of traditional Italian cuisine to be spot on with their menu offerings.  While they had some signature dishes, they also had the traditional calamari, spaghetti and meatballs and chicken parmigiana.  They also had some other appealing items such as a Sicilian layered lasagna with meat ragu, peas, and zucchini.  I then decided to give this restaurant a try. When I walked in, and started to walk down to my table, I was immediately drawn to the décor and theme.  It’s that of a storied airline terminal from the 1930s, the structure has transformed into an elegant eatery featuring a spacious interior that perfectly sets the tone for a first-class, foodie experience. Not only was it themed as such, but the […]

Magical Enhancements Coming to Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

4/2/2018 • Walt Disney World • To say that there are some updates happening at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is a bit of an understatement.  Disney is not holding anything back with all of the enhancements they are making at this resort! A few years ago, the rooms were reimagined with new, refreshed bedding and décor.  It was also one of the first moderate resorts to be able to accommodate up to 5 guests with the addition of the child size pull down bed in some rooms.  It only seems natural that now it takes on giving the main area an exciting new look. We’re about a year into these updates and they are coming along pretty quickly.  Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort will be reimagined with new additions to the resort’s current marketplace, Centertown, including new waterfront dining and retail shopping areas. This centralized location will offer the resort’s guests more convenient access to services, amenities, […]