The Happiest Blog on Earth

Amazing Animal Adventures at Disney

7/14/2015 • Walt Disney World • I Never Knew I Could Do That! Your Guide to Amazing Animal Adventures at Walt Disney World I challenge you to find anyone who does entertainment better than Disney! Everywhere you go within a Disney property anywhere in the world, a story is being told. It is certainly no different at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida where you are immersed in the storytelling through learning and fun. These ultra-special experiences take you beyond the theme parks and put you right at the heart of Walt's dreams where families come together and celebrate life! Animal Adventures: The Wild Africa Trek is a private 3-hour tour with a limited number of guests that takes you on a hike through the Safi River Valley. Track across a rickety rope bridge (safety harness provided) with hippos and crocodiles just 10 feet below! You will be treated with an African-inspired snack before continuing on […]

Raglan Road Irish Pub {Review}

7/14/2015 • Walt Disney World • Raglan Road, nestled in the middle of the Downtown Disney/Disney Springs shopping and dining area, is one of the most unique and delicious restaurants on property! For those of us who remember Pleasure Island, Raglan Road was one of the first new additions to Pleasure Island when it became more family-friendly in late 2005.  Built across from Mannequins, in place of what used to be an ice cream parlor, Raglan Road brought a new era of fine dining to Downtown Disney. Raglan Road is an authentic Irish Pub - and when I say ‘authentic’, I’m not just saying they have shamrocks and shepherd’s pie.  What I mean is that every recipe is traditional Irish cuisine, the physical bar in the restaurant was taken out of an authentic pub in Ireland, live traditional music and Irish dancers grace crowds every evening, and beers and liquors traditionally served in Ireland are ready […]

Epcot’s Divequest

6/25/2015 • Walt Disney World • Diving at Epcot’s Divequest Within the attraction “The Seas with Nemo & Friends” is a 5.7 million-gallon saltwater aquarium.  This aquarium, Caribbean Coral Reef, is home to more than 6,000 sea creatures.  Occasionally, while visiting the attraction with my family, I would see divers swimming in the aquarium and just assumed that they were cast members and part of the show.  I was wrong!!!  If you are SCUBA-certified you have an amazing opportunity to dive in Caribbean Coral Reef with Epcot’s Divequest. Epcot’s Divequest is a 3 hour tour.  During the 3 hours you will spend 40 minutes diving within the clear waters of the aquarium.  The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilion has 56 enormous windows which allows family members and friends with a paid Epcot admission to watch your dive.  The best viewing location for your family and friends is within the pavilions tunnel they will be able […]

Driving to Disney with Small Children

6/15/2015 • Walt Disney World • Driving to Disney with Small Children: 4 tips to keep your sanity Every year my husband decides we should live the American dream and drive to Walt Disney World. Even though my opinion differs, this is the choice I usually get talked into. Here are a few of my tipsand tricks that keeps the family happy [most of the time].  1. On-The-Road Activities: Get them pumped up about the drive, just as much as the destination.  To help accomplish this, I bought my children each a plastic tote, to fill with car activities such as stickers, toys and art projects. Then, we let the kids decorate their box to their liking. One of my daughters chose classic Disney characters and the other was creative with Star Wars theming.  We went to their room and choose some of their favorite toys that would entertain them for 10 minutes or more: books, magnetic […]

Florida Drinking Water

6/8/2015 • Walt Disney World • To Drink or Not to Drink – Florida Water            Many visitors to Florida find that Florida water tastes considerably different than their water at home.  When you first try the water at a fountain or restaurant, you may find that it has an odd taste and sulfur smell.  Florida water is completely safe to ingest but it needs a little something to make it ‘drinkable’. On our first trip to Disney, my children were young and drinking water was a big part of our daily routine.  I found that by using small flavored packets in our water bottles helped tremendously to drink Florida water.  We used lemonade, Kool-Aid and Crystal lite On the Go packets.  Now there are liquid drops for water bottles.  These packets and containers fit easily in a backpack or your pocket. We had purchased our packets prior to our trip and had our children try […]

The Making of a runDisney Princess

5/22/2015 • Walt Disney World • Over 49,000 registrants and 3 days made for an amazing weekend for princes and princesses alike participating in the 2015 Princess Half Marathon weekend at Walt Disney World. From those running in their first race, those running in memory of a loved one, and many enjoying a weekend with friends and family, being a part of this weekend made for Disney memories that every Disney fan should experience at least once in their lifetime. Registration Registration for the following year’s Princess Marathon Weekend opens up 7 months in advance. To register for any Disney race, registration spots are now filling within minutes of opening. Be sure to register an account with active.com before the registration date and be online when registration opens or you may not be able to race your chosen event. Have all your information beside you at the time of registration including your credit card information, and […]

Walt Disney World Shopping Secrets!

5/14/2015 • Walt Disney World • Like most savvy shoppers, when I enter I store I head straight for the clearance rack and begin to shuffle through the sales. With a crazed look in my eye, and my creative spirit, I put together outfits and accessories, and I love to brag how much I did not pay for a particular item. Now with this kind of shopping mentality, one can imagine how put out I am at Walt Disney World. Sales and discounts seem to be an item few and far between. So, here is Disney’s dirty little shopping secret: all their sale and discount items are sold offsite! I first experienced this secret last summer when I was visiting during Star Wars Weekends at Hollywood Studios. I was talking to lovely local couple at the Hollywood and Vine. They saw I had purchased a coffee tumbler for my husband for $30. They told me, “You […]

A Pirate’s Adventure: Treasures of the Seven Seas at Magic Kingdom

5/7/2015 • Walt Disney World • Ahoy, Mateys!! Are you ready to become a ‘scurvy pirate recruit” and help Captain Jack Sparrow find some hidden treasures? Then you’ve come to the right place.  This free interactive treasure hunt lets you encounter five different pirate adventures within Adventureand.   A Pirate’s Adventure was inspired by the ever popular movie, “Pirates of the Caribbean”. While in Magic Kingdom, make your way to Adventureland.   You’ll pass the Pirates of the Caribbean ride on your left and head toward the Pirates Adventure Building.  When you enter the building, touch your magic band or park ticket (also known as your Talisman) on the kiosk as indicated on the Pirate Adventure screen. The screen will walk you through on how to start your pirate adventure.  A Disney cast member is never far away if you need assistance.  Be sure to take the correct map and start at the symbol indicated on your screen.  […]

Strollers at Walt Disney World

3/4/2015 • Walt Disney World • Something as simple as having a stroller while at Disney still needs your consideration to choose the best option for your needs.  There are 3 options: Bring your own stroller from home Rent a stroller from within the parks Rent from a reputable local stroller company To find the best option for you, consider the following when making your decision: 1)      Convenience:  If flying, do you need the stroller to get to and from your terminal?  If driving, will your stroller fit in the vehicle once you pack all your luggage into it? 2)      Needs:  Who and where will you need to use the stroller?  If you need to use the stroller at the resort, keep in mind that Disney park strollers cannot be taken out of the park.  What if your child doesn’t use a stroller at home?  You may think your child will not need one because of […]

Tony’s Town Square: Dining on Main Street USA

1/25/2015 • Reviews, Walt Disney World • Looking for a delicious table service meal inside the Magic Kingdom?  Look no further than one our family’s favorite restaurants, Tony’s Town Square.  Inside this charming trattoria located on Main Street USA, you can enjoy your favorite Italian dishes, steaks and delicious desserts. The theming of the restaurant centers around the Disney animated classic, Lady and the Tramp.  In the lobby waiting area, children and grown-up kids can enjoy a few minutes of Lady and the Tramp, which plays constantly on the television. Kids can also color Lady and the Tramp coloring sheets while waiting for their table. The restaurant offers three distinct dining areas.  In the main dining room, guests will love the fountain of the canine couple, Lady and Tramp, which is the focal point of the room.  The main dining room offers comfortable family seating and is reminiscent of a classic New York City, family-owned, Italian eatery. […]