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11/10/2020 • Blog, Reviews, Walt Disney World •
Have you ever wondered what Disney World looks like through the eyes of a seven-year-old? Do they really appreciate all the magic or do we just convince ourselves of that? Sitting down with my seven-year-old son the other night, we had a conversation that went down the Disney path (which frequently happens with our conversations) and it led me to ask him some pointed questions. Questions that might just help you as you plan your trip with a school-aged child and I thought some of his answers were great! Note: this particular seven-year-old has been to Disney over....well, a lot in his short life so far. He knows the parks inside and out and has been on every single ride that he is able to go on due to height restrictions. Some he may never go on again because the thrill just isn't for him (i.e. Space Mountain & Everest). I had him […]
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10/27/2020 • Blog, Reviews, Walt Disney World •
The newest Walt Disney World ride, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, is not one to miss! This new family-friendly attraction offers a state-of-the-art ride vehicle with visual effects technology. This ride can be found in the previously occupied Chinese Theatre at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The glowing sign offers an exciting entrance to an attraction unlike any other at Walt Disney World. I had the opportunity to enjoy this attraction in March and again since the phased re-opening. The first thing I noticed was the similarities to the Great Movie Ride. When you first enter the queue and step into the building, it was reminiscent of the previous attraction. As you moved through the queue, a noticeable difference would be the newly added movie screens that feature the animated Mickey shorts. Prior to the closing of Disney Park’s in March, the experience in the waiting queue was different. The animated short, […]
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10/13/2020 • Blog, Reviews, Walt Disney World •
Disney’s Beach Club Resort it truly one of my favorite resorts on property! From its incredible location just steps away from Epcot, to its pool and dining options, there are so many reasons to stay at Beach Club on your next Disney vacation. This resort looks like it’s right out of the pages of a New England architectural journal. Painted in pastel blue and white hues with lighthouse-style architectural features, this resort is appealing from the moment you pull up to its drive. Upon entering, the lobby includes seaside and nautical touches. Dining: Just off the lobby, you’ll notice several of the resort’s table service restaurants. Here you can dine at Ale and Compass, a New England steakhouse, Cape May Cafe, a character breakfast and seafood buffet lunch and dinner, and Beaches and Cream- a seaside-style soda shop with a variety of boardwalk foods. You can also relax and take […]
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10/9/2020 • Blog, Reviews, Walt Disney World •
In my 8 years of planning Disney vacations, one of the most common questions I get is, “What is your favorite resort on Disney property?” I don’t even hesitate with my answer, "Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort." “The Poly”, as it is often referred to as, is one of the three deluxe resorts on the monorail loop. The Polynesian is one of the original resorts that opened along with Walt Disney World on October 1, 1971. The theme of this resort is a Pacific Island paradise. Upon arrival, you will notice lush greenery and colorful flowers that leave you feeling like you have just been planted into the tropics. With a short walk through the beautiful greenery, you enter The Great Ceremonial House which is the lobby of the resort where you will be welcomed with a warm Aloha. Dining at the Polynesian resort is a must-do in my opinion even […]
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10/6/2020 • Blog, Disneyland, Reviews, Walt Disney World •
One of my family's favorite attractions in both Disneyland and Walt Disney World is The Haunted Mansion. Set in a Louisiana plantation mansion, the attraction is home to 999 happy haunts. I love the queue, where you'll find a horseless drawn hearse, tombstones, and other interactive haunted objects to make your wait a little more fun. Upon entering the mansion you will be escorted into a room with no windows and no doors. Watch the walls and ceiling as the room seems to grow before your very eyes. As lightning strikes, you will follow the passageway to your "Doom Buggy". This slow-moving ride takes you through the most haunted rooms of the mansion, where you will learn some interesting facts about the mansion's most popular and permanent residents. As you twist and turn down the halls you will see spooky paintings, statues, books, and more. On your way, you will […]
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9/1/2020 • Blog, Reviews, Walt Disney World •
Being the self-proclaimed Disney nuts that we are, it’s no surprise that when it was time to get our son’s first haircut, the Harmony Barbershop on Main Street USA in Disney World was at the top of our list. As with most “firsts” for your little one, the anxiety was high but there were a few reasons we loved the experience and continue to go back for a cut just about every time we are there now! They are so used to cutting kids'/babies' hair. Wiggles don’t worry them and they shouldn’t worry you either. These aren’t just professionals but they are cast members and they deal with kids all day. It’s more than just a haircut, it’s entertainment. They pull out all the tricks to keep your little one entertained and happy while they trim trim away. From stickers to light-up toys and an occasional song, it is a […]
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6/26/2020 • Reviews, Walt Disney World •
Once our kids (7 and 5) find out that we are heading to Walt Disney World, there is always one question that follows, "Are we staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge?" There is no denying that it is our family's favorite and it is always our top recommendation to friends and family that are planning their trip. Here are a few reasons why we love Animal Kingdom Lodge: 1. The immersive experience. It feels like you are in Africa! Of course, I’ve never been to Africa, but the theming of this resort is wonderful. From the activities and storytellers in the lobby to the landscaping and animals outside of your window. It just feels like you are somewhere and everything is an experience (and a good one at that!) 2. The Animals! They are obviously the star of the show at this resort, but to us it’s the freedom and fun […]
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5/8/2020 • Disneyland, Reviews •
If you’ve been to Walt Disney World, chances are you have seen Sorcerer Mickey battle evil in this live show. On my recent trip to Disneyland, I got to see the West Coast version of Fantasmic up close and personal and it did not disappoint. Knowing that viewing areas are hard to come by in Disneyland, I opted to try one of the dining packages at River Belle Terrace. River Belle Terrace is located in Disneyland park in New Orleans Square next to Pirates of the Caribbean and right in front of Rivers of America. This is an outdoor café and makes for a truly beautiful experience to sit out in the California sun and have a nice meal. The menu for the Fantasmic Package is a Prix Fix Menu which includes a non-alcoholic beverage, an appetizer, which was a choice between a salad or corn chowder, main dish, which […]
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3/27/2020 • Disneyland, Reviews •
After a long day in the theme parks, many visitors in the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, like to spend their evenings in Downtown Disney. Shopping, dining, and live music are always a treat and Downtown Disney has no shortage of any! At Black Tap, a fast, casual dining location, you’ll find a long line. A line that one might not want to wait in just for a burger and milkshake. But oh, it is very worth it! Because it’s not just a burger or just a milkshake… Black Tap has the line-wait down to a science, really! What looked like an hour wait, was about 20 minutes to get to the ordering counter. Once in line, your party name and size are taken, and you are offered a menu to start planning your meal. This is a quick-service location with a large dining area, so it holds and moves […]
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2/7/2020 • Reviews, Walt Disney World •
With so many fabulous table service restaurants in Disney World, it can be difficult to choose. While I have never personally been disappointed at any of the locations I’ve dined at, there are still a few my family has yet to try. We have a bucket list of restaurants that we haven’t dined at, and on each trip, we make sure to try at least 2 or 3 different restaurants. On our last family trip, we finally checked Rose and Crown off our dining bucket list. Nestled in the UK pavilion of Epcot, this family-friendly British pub boasts some truly delicious food. We were seated waterfront for our dinner. Had we chosen a later reservation it would have been the perfect spot to view the night show Epcot-Forever. Outside seating is covered, providing shade from the Florida sun, while inside looks like you’ve walked right into a traditional pub in […]
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