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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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6/25/2020 • Walt Disney World •
One thing that we have learned over the past few months is that everyone loves joining a sing-along. It doesn’t matter your age nor your singing ability, the chance to join your voice with the lyrics of some of your favorite tunes resonates with all of us. The new Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along is located at the back of France in Epcot. This is another treasure that Disney has in the World Showcase that you won’t want to miss. Located indoors, it has the added benefits of the perfect place to cool off in the heat, warm up in the winter cold, relax your feet in comfortable seating, and a darker room for kids that need to slow down a bit and reenergize. You will want to enter the building well before the start of a show so that you can enjoy the memorabilia of French classic stories that […]
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6/23/2020 • Disneyland, Walt Disney World •
The Walt Disney Company is known for its high entertainment standard. When you enter the parks, you expect that level of entertainment with their parades, fireworks, rides, characters, and shows. Aside from the well-known fun that Disney offers, one show that does not want to go unnoticed is the Dapper Dans!! This is not to say they are not well known, but for those new to Disney Parks, they may not be on your radar but they should be. This quartet of men can be found on Main Street U.S.A. in Disneyland (since 1959) and Disney World (since 1971). What do they do exactly? They are a barbershop quartet that comes out to sing, harmonize, and tap dance for guest’s entertainment! Most are even members of the Barbershop Harmony Society! They perform during the daytime hours in the Magic Kingdom. Sometimes you will see them perform using Deagon Organ Chimes […]
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6/18/2020 • Tips, Walt Disney World •
*The following blog post contains anecdotal information about travel during pregnancy. It is not presented or intended to be used as medical advice. Consult your OB/GYN or advanced practice provider before you travel for medical advice specific to your circumstances. A Disney vacation is something the entire family can look forward to! With the attractions, characters, shows, and so much more, there is something for everyone in the family to enjoy! But as a travel specialist, I am occasionally let in on some joyous news, often before families are ready to announce it publicly– someone in the family is expecting a baby! While this is incredibly exciting, mothers-to-be are often understandably nervous about what they will be able to do during their vacation. Will they be able to enjoy the Disney experience with the rest of the family? In my personal experience- YES! I have visited Disney World three times […]
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6/5/2020 • Walt Disney World •
If you are looking for evening activities, head over to the Boardwalk resort area where you can experience shopping, restaurants, and entertainment. The Boardwalk is a short boat ride or walk from both Epcot and Hollywood Studios. It is a quarter of a mile-long promenade created around Crescent Lake and designed to look like a quaint Mid-Atlantic seaside village from the early 1900s. Crescent Lake is surrounded by 3 Deluxe category resorts (Yacht Club, Beach Club, and Boardwalk), restaurants, and a variety of entertainment venues. You can stroll the Boardwalk any time of the day and enjoy the extras that are only a few steps out of your resort door. If you are a sports fan and want to watch your favorite NFL team on a Sunday or take in a big sporting event, you can stop in the ESPN Club which hosts live. Schedules vary so check out ESPN […]
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6/2/2020 • Walt Disney World •
One of the most magical experiences when visiting Walt Disney World is dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table inside Cinderella’s castle. This is a highly sought-after reservation that we often book for our clients and ourselves. Did you know there is a package you can add to make it even more magical? The Signature Celebration Package is a perfect way to celebrate birthdays, engagements, anniversaries, or just a fun splurge. This package begins with dinner at Cinderella’s Royal Table with some truly royal characters. You will be treated to a specialty beverage or sparkling wine if you are 21 and up, an appetizer, an entrée of your choice, and a box of treats to take with you. We love starting with the charcuterie platter and having the filet and shrimp for our entrée. There are plenty of kid-friendly choices as well, including my kid’s favorite mac and cheese. You will also […]
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5/26/2020 • Disneyland, Walt Disney World •
For any Star Wars fan, visiting the planet Batuu on the outskirts of the galaxy is a dream come true and the ultimate ride is Disney’s Rise of the Resistance. This combines new technologies for a multi-layered experience. As a hugely popular ride, you will need to arrive before park opening to make sure you can get into their virtual queue called a Boarding Pass, the moment the park officially opens. Boarding passes allow you to enjoy the rest of Batuu and the parks until your turn to join the line. This can only be obtained through the My Disney Experience app on your smartphone. You can set your phone to alert you when your boarding group is called or watch My Status to find out when it’s time to get in line. If you are in the middle of an Oga’s reservation or building your own lightsaber or droid […]
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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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4/14/2020 • Disneyland, Walt Disney World •
One of the newer and most unique souvenir opportunities is building a custom droid at the Droid Depot in Galaxy’s Edge, in both Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Because this is such a unique and highly sought-after activity, I highly recommend having a reservation, as you may not be able to secure a spot as a walk-up. Another thing to keep in mind is what to do with your droid once you’ve made it. This location did not offer resort delivery or front of park pick up. We took advantage of our hopper passes and had my husband return them to the room. If you are cruising after your trip, you may want to check their guidelines for these as well as lightsabers prior to making reservations. As with any other Disney reservation, we recommend you check-in 15 minutes early. Upon entering the Droid Depot you are […]
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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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