Blog Posts Tagged Disney

Fun (not-so-typical) Ways To Interact With The Characters

6/27/2013 • Cruises, Disneyland, Walt Disney World • One of our favorite parts of visiting Disney is interacting with the characters. Yes, even the grown-ups in our household!  So what do you say or do when you finally meet with them face-to-face?  Are you the type that just wants to stand next to Mickey and smile for the camera? Simply give a princess a hug?  Or are you looking for more from your time with the characters? Here's a suggestion: Try some of these interactions with the characters and I guarantee you'll leave with some extra special memories. Believe me, we've tried them with almost every character we met. Some of these were suggested to us and others my kids came up with on the fly which makes it even more fun. (Especially for our older child that may have been less inclined to wait in a queue to see a character except for the fun of thinking […]

Waiting at Disney World with Preschoolers

6/11/2013 • Walt Disney World • Disney has very few height restrictions on rides, and you've got a “child swap” ticket in your hand, but what do you and your preschooler do while everyone else goes on a ride? You can take them on another ride, check out the nearby shops, or stand in line for a character greeting, but times rarely match up nicely that you always seem to have a few extra minutes to spend. Here’s a list of places at Magic Kingdom and Epcot where you can go with your child to help entertain them. Waiting at Magic Kingdom - Big Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain These rides are close to one another and share some great spots to take the little ones. The first place you can take them is Tom Sawyer Island. You can spend as much or as little time as you want on the island and the ride back is only […]

Passport to the World

5/29/2013 • Walt Disney World • As a lover of Epcot, having my children enjoy World Showcase has always been important to me. Appreciating how other countries influence our world is easily forgotten. How wonderful it is that Disney hires cast members from the countries that are placed all around World Showcase. I want to encourage my children to talk with the people and learn something about them but my children are by nature very shy. This prompted my search into finding out what Disney offers for kids to learn and have fun while exploring World Showcase. For young children, simple and straight forward interaction is usually best. For purchase at Epcot, is an Epcot Passport package containing a passport booklet, multiple stickers for each country, and a button. If you have the initiative before you go for your vacation, you can also craft a passport at home with supplies purchased at a local craft store. […]

Pressed Pennies – Remember the Memories for 51 Cents!!!

5/7/2013 • Walt Disney World • Disney souvenirs are a “must” for any Disney vacation, but you don’t have to spend a fortune bringing home keepsakes from your Disney World vacation.  For 51 cents, you can have a treasured keepsake in your pocket! One of our favorite activities and souvenirs is collecting pressed pennies throughout Walt Disney World.   Children of all ages will find this to be an entertaining quest as they tour the parks, visit the shops and explore the various resort properties.   Pressed pennies (and quarters) can be found throughout all four theme parks, Downtown Disney, and all Walt Disney World resorts.We recommend bringing a roll of pennies and a couple of rolls of quarters with you so you have plenty of coins to press.  Children will love searching for penny presses while you tour the parks, visit the gift shops or explore the resorts.    If you want to spend a little extra money […]

The Castaway Cay 5K!

4/30/2013 • Cruises • Exclusive to Disney Cruise Line guests, the Castaway Cay 5K is a free runDisney fun run available on most Disney cruises visiting Castaway Cay. If you are a runner or walker this is a spectacular challenge to be a part of! Registration is located at the Port Adventures desk on board your ship. While the minimum age to officially run is 10 years old, if you have a child under that age that is a runner, know that the course is open to all island visitors so young runners can participate although they will not have a bib number nor receive a medal at the end. My family members under age 10 loved the course although it’s important you have your children supervised at all times during the race. For those officially registered at the Port Adventures desk, you will receive a release form that you'll bring the morning of […]

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom

4/25/2013 • Walt Disney World • Apprentices wanted at Walt Disney World!  Did you know that there is an interactive game included with your park admission to Magic Kingdom?  Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom is an interactive trading card adventure that kids of all ages will love that involves battling various Disney villains throughout Magic Kingdom's themed lands (except Tomorrowland) using special spell cards. To get started, guests need to check-in at the Main Street Firehouse, where you are given a specialized park map pointing out the various locations of the game, along with a Sorcerer Key card that activates the game screens and keeps track of your progress in the game, and a set of Spell Cards.   The main play areas are Magic Portals located throughout Magic Kingdom.  Merlin opens up the portal and allows you to interact with the characters and defend Magic Kingdom park from an army of Disney villains   To activate the […]

Epcot With Preschoolers – Fun for the Whole Family!

2/28/2013 • Walt Disney World • With all the attractions specifically for preschoolers at the other parks, Epcot seems like it might be a bore. But make no mistake, Epcot can be fun for adults and preschoolers alike! The Seas with Nemo and Friends is a great place to start with your little one. Climb aboard a Clamobile and have your preschooler find Nemo among the fish in the aquarium. When you are finished, take in a Turtle Talk with Crush – an interactive experience where the kids are integral to the show. Be sure to prepare your preschooler with a question they can ask Crush before they go in, so that they get an opportunity to be part of the show.  If some in your group want to take in some of the bigger rides, like Test Track or Mission Space, know there is a great indoor, air-conditioned area you can wait with your preschooler. […]

Magic on Main Street – The Harmony Barbershop

1/8/2013 • Walt Disney World • When visiting Walt Disney World, Main Street U.S.A. is an area NOT to be missed.  With all the excitement of characters and rides, sometimes Main Street U.S.A. is quickly bypassed. However,  there are "magical moments" on Main Street at Walt Disney World. One hidden treasure is the Harmony Barbershop on Main Street.  Reservations for resort guests can be made up to 180 day in advance, but walk-ins are also welcomed.  Early in the morning and during parades are a great time for walk-ins.  "First Haircuts" are their specialty, which includes a certificate to remember the experience, as well as "My 1st Haircut" mouse ears .  This package cost $18.00.  Confetti, colored hair gel and pixie dust for girls and pirate dust for boys are also available for an additional cost.  This full-service barbershop shouldn't be missed!  With the red and white barber pole outside to the antique cash register being […]