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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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3/20/2020 • Walt Disney World •
Our love for Disney started with animation, and the first Disney films we enjoyed as a family, so it’s no wonder that animation classes at Disney parks have been “our thing” for years! Although Disney has closed the Animation Academy at Hollywood Studios, you can now draw with a Disney animator at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It’s an experience that artists of all ages can enjoy! Your adventure begins when you board a train headed for the Conservation Station. It’s a fun ride to get you to a remote area of the park to explore. You can choose to walk around and look at the conservation and educational stations set up, venture into the petting zoo, or enter the main building where you can try your hand at drawing a popular Disney animal character! As with all Disney animation classes, you are provided with a board, paper, and a pencil. They […]
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3/13/2020 • Tips, Walt Disney World •
I’ve never really considered myself a runner. Athlete, sure. But runner? Not really. It was 3 years ago that my husband challenged me to a bucket list item that he had which was to run a half marathon. A few glasses of wine later and a little thinking, I accepted...and quickly regretted it as all 13.1 miles slowly sank it. It’s easy for me to say that now - with several runDisney races under my belt and knowing that with the proper training, the 13.1 miles were not only doable for a novice runner, but it was actually, dare I say it, FUN! And I mean it, from looking around and seeing where you are running, to just feeling that extra pixie dust. It’s also magical!
So, why runDisney? I write this for novice runners but also for experienced runners because the races are truly for everyone. I just […]
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3/6/2020 • Walt Disney World •
Mickey's-Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a special ticketed event that happens on select nights between August and October (sometimes November) at the Magic Kingdom. On nights when the event is taking place, Magic Kingdom will close early at 6 pm for those who do not have a party ticket for that evening. The party hours are from 7:00 pm to 12 AM, but party guests can arrive as early as 4:00 PM. The last show is at 12 AM, and guests can spend a little time to shop the exclusive event merchandise for a short while after the last show. Mickey's Not-So-Scary-Halloween Party offers exclusive character greetings, Halloween-inspired ride overlays, specialty food items, Trick-or-Treating, unique shows, a firework show that is exclusive to the party, and the "BOO-To-You" Halloween Parade. When party guests arrive, they will receive a special wristband to indicate they have the party ticket for that evening. In […]
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3/3/2020 • Tips, Walt Disney World •
When visiting the Walt Disney World Parks you can enjoy assistance from the Guest Experience Team. While there is a guest services area in each park, the Guest Experience Team can be found at various locations throughout the park. What assistance is available from a Guest Experience Team cast member? General park information and recommendations My Disney Experience assistance FastPass+ information Wait times Lost and Found And more! For additional information visit Guest Services. How do I find my nearest Guest Experience Team member? Locations are listed in the My Disney Experience App Search Guest Experience Team in the App and select that option You then can choose to “Find on Map” or “Get Directions” (this will give you instructions and how long it will take to arrive at the nearest Team member). Each of the 4 theme park Team Members will be wearing a blue polo with a […]
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2/25/2020 • Tips, Walt Disney World •
Enjoying incredible libations in Disney World is something every guest (who visits and appreciates exploring new drinks), should have the opportunity to experience. There are many locations that offer drinks on the property, you just have to know where to find them. A single blog cannot list all available options, so this one will highlight a popular set of locations… the resorts along the monorail loop outside the Magic Kingdom! These three deluxe resorts each have their own unique lounges to enjoy. For our guests 21 years and older, your next visit should factor in time to make a trip around this loop! Starting at The Contemporary Resort, make a stop at the Outer Rim! It is located on the 4th floor next to Chef Mickey and Contempo Café. Grab a window seat to enjoy the views of Bay Lake. With an array of wine, specialty cocktails, and beer and […]
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2/21/2020 • Walt Disney World •
Last weekend, while Me and The Mouse Travel specialists visited the Festival of the Arts, we had the opportunity of enjoying breakfast at Topolino's Terrace, which is located at the top of Disney's Riveria Resort. The restaurant not only has an amazing menu but offers spectacular views of the resort and nearby parks. The artists in residence at this character breakfast include Mickey (a painter), Minnie (a poet), Donald (a sculptor), and Daisy (a ballerina), who meet guests during breakfast only. This character meal is only 1 table service credit on the Disney Dining Plan. (While dinner is also served in the restaurant, it is not character meal and is 2 dining credits on the Disney dining plan) At dinner, you can view the fireworks from Epcot and Hollywood Studios. When entering the restaurant, our team was awestruck with the gorgeous setting of this unique restaurant, named for Mickey Mouse (Topolino is Mickey […]
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2/8/2024 • Tips, Walt Disney World •
A Disney vacation is such a thrill and getting started with your planning begins with the resort hotel you select for your stay. But what if you can’t decide on just one resort? Don’t worry; you aren’t alone! Many families are torn between two or more resorts for their trip. Fortunately for you, there is an option that will allow you to try multiple resorts— a Disney split stay! What is a split stay? A split stay is a change from one resort to another during the course of your uninterrupted trip. Want that amazing pool at Disney’s Beach Club resort, but also would love to give your child the experience of a room overlooking the African animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge? What about the ease of the monorail access at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, but also wanting the theming of a Cars suite at the Art of Animation […]
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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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1/17/2020 • Reviews, Walt Disney World •
From the moment you walk in Takumi-Tei, you will begin a culinary experience that rivals any at Walt Disney World. Here you are enlightened to Japanese culture through an amazing dining team and incredible artisan food. In this blog, I will tell you why I chose this new restaurant at Epcot to celebrate my birthday at Takumi-Tei. Takumi-Tei is Japanese for “house of artisan” and your entire dining experience is one that is truly that. You are greeted by the dining staff outside the restaurant door. Here you will be guided inside into a hallway with water, wood, earth, stone, and washi paper displayed. This is an intimate area where you are educated on the importance of each and how your dining is influenced by them. It’s important to note there is no waiting area inside. Once you walk in you are now part of the dining experience. You are […]
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