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10/21/2026 • Walt Disney World •
Two parties. Two vibes. One magical holiday season! Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Disney Jollywood Nights each offer their own sparkle—so which one should you choose? I was able to attend both parties and I’m excited to give you my honest assessment. Both bring holiday magic in their own unique way—but they’re very different experiences. Here’s what stood out at each party, and how to know which one is the right fit for your holiday style. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is the “original” officially debuting in 1983. This party is held at Magic Kingdom. With admission, guests can enjoy complimentary hot chocolate and cookie stations, themed shows and parades, character meet and greets in holiday outfits and with limited attendance, ride wait times were a little shorter. The vibe of this party was magical, but felt a little crowded and chaotic at times. Can’t Miss Event: Mickey’s Once […]
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8/26/2026 • Blog, Cruises, Disneyland, Sandals & Beaches, Universal Studios Orlando, Walt Disney World •
We are a Disney family. Always have been. Some of my favorite memories of my children live inside those park gates, and at 16, my baby girl is still a joy to be with. She is not the eyerolling, hood-up, "this is so cringe" teenager the internet loves to warn you about. We actually like each other. We talk, we hang out, we genuinely enjoy each other's company. And still — I was nervous about this trip. What I Was Nervous About Here is what I was working with. We had exactly one day for one park, tacked onto the end of a four-day volleyball tournament. Her body was already wrecked, sore feet, tired legs, and I was about to ask it to walk 20,000 steps through the Orlando heat in July. This was also our first Disney trip as a party of 3 without her older brother. No other […]
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7/15/2026 • Blog, Tips, Walt Disney World •
For many families, ending the day with Disney fireworks is a must-do experience. While most guests enjoy the nighttime spectaculars from inside the parks, one of Disney's Enchanting Extras offers a completely different perspective. A Disney Fireworks Cruise allows guests to enjoy the magic of Happily Ever After or Luminous: The Symphony of Us from the water, creating a unique and memorable way to end the day. One of Disney's Enchanting Extras Collection experiences is a private Fireworks Cruise. Available for both Magic Kingdom's Happily Ever After and EPCOT's Luminous: The Symphony of Us, these specialty cruises allow your group to watch the nighttime spectacular from the water aboard a private pontoon boat. Boats accommodate up to 10 guests and include a captain, assorted snacks and soft drinks, and synchronized audio from the fireworks show so you can fully enjoy the experience. Reservations can be made up to 60 days […]
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6/10/2026 • Blog, Holidays & Events, Reviews, Tips, Walt Disney World •
You've decided you want to book one of the Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Parties for your next vacation, but soon realize there are three different options. So which one is right for your family? With all three options you are going to get a buffet of absolutely delectable treats, beverages, and a selection of beer and wine for those of age. The three options include: Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Parties: Post-Party Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Parties: Pre-Party Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Parties: Seats and Sweets So, what’s the difference? The biggest difference is the price. The Pre-Party and Post-Party options start at $99 plus tax for guests ages 10 and older, and $59 plus tax for children ages 3–9. Seats & Sweets starts at $124 plus tax for guests ages 10 and older, and $74 plus tax for children ages 3–9. So, why the price difference? The answer is simple: […]
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5/6/2026 • Blog, Reviews, Walt Disney World •
Tucked inside Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, the Garden View Lounge Tea Experience has officially returned, offering one of the most elegant and unique ways to enjoy a storybook moment at Walt Disney World. If your idea of Disney magic includes charm, detail, and a touch of luxury, this is an experience that feels like stepping into a fairytale! A Setting That Feels Like a Storybook From the moment you arrive, the Garden View Lounge feels like a bright, airy conservatory. Sunlight comes in through large windows that overlook the resort courtyard, soft florals fill the space, and every detail is thoughtfully designed. There’s a subtle inspiration drawn from Alice in Wonderland, woven into the experience in a way that feels whimsical - perfect for guests who want a quieter kind of magic. What the Experience Is Really Like This is not your typical Disney dining reservation. It’s intentionally […]
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9/30/2025 • Walt Disney World •
Do you want to live like a pirate? You now have your chance in the all-new Beak and Barrel Tavern located right outside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. This is a 45-minute immersive experience where you can enjoy a variety of specialty drinks focused on a pirate’s favorite beverage – rum. This experience does require advanced dining reservations, but note, this is not a meal. But you can order snacks off the menu, which provides 4 different options from the galley. We had the “Island Provisions” Plantain Chips, Blue Corn Tortillas, and Toasted Flatbread served with Mango Chutney, Garlic Chimichurri, Spiced Guava, and Zesty Cilantro Cream Dips, which was very good and definitely enough for 2 people as a snack. You may also not be given a seat during your experience. In fact, the location we were given was the bar, which was standing only. It worked fine for […]
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11/21/2023 • Blog, Walt Disney World •
There’s so much to see and do at Magic Kingdom but how can you fit it all into a single day? If you can’t extend your trip to include multiple days at Magic Kingdom, knowing the little tricks to maximize what you can experience with minimal wait is key to checking off your must-do list. For many families, Disney’s Festival of Fantasy Parade is a top priority attraction that they want to experience. After all, where else can you see all of your favorite characters in one place within a 12-minute attraction? The Festival of Fantasy parade starts in Frontierland and makes its way towards Liberty Square before turning and going past Cinderella’s Castle and down Main Street USA. There are many ideas as to where the best spot for watching the parade really is. For many years, my family would camp out in Liberty Square outside the Diamond Horseshoe, […]
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7/28/2023 • Blog, Walt Disney World •
As Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa enters its 35th year, they are wrapping up a huge refurbishment of all their guest rooms. Sago Cay is the most recently completed building and happens to be the building we stayed in. The Grand Floridian is a deluxe resort and sits along the Monorail in the Magic Kingdom area of Disney World. The Grand Floridian has always been known for its Victorian charm and amazing restaurants. Citrico’s reopened in 2020 with an updated look inspired by Mary Poppins Returns. Those subtle whimsical touches of cherry blossoms and butterflies have now been carried over to the guest rooms. The new rooms are bright and beautiful with gold, pinks, blues, and greens. There are even some details that are almost hidden in plain sight such as the single penguin sitting atop the chandelier or the silhouettes behind the coffee station. The rooms feature two […]
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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 […]
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10/18/2022 • Blog, Walt Disney World •
The Magic Kingdom fireworks display highlights every family’s Disney vacation. Most people fight the crowds to get the perfect spot in front of Cinderella’s castle. What if I told you there was a way to get a perfect view of the show without competing with the crowds and your whole family being treated like royalty for the night? There is no better way to celebrate Magic Kingdom’s 50th anniversary than watching fireworks at the Disney Enchantment Dessert Party. You will be granted special access to a private firework viewing area with a picture-perfect castle view. You will be fully immersed in the all-encompassing experience of a Magic Kingdom firework display from the character-themed castle projections and the movie-inspired surround sound musical accompaniment. There are three different ways to experience the fireworks show and all-you-can-eat dessert party. You can watch the show from your prime location in the Plaza Garden for […]
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