For years I said that I would never go to Disney World in the summer. I mean, I actually said it out loud to people. It was one of those smug declarations people sometimes make when they believe they made a decision based on their …
There’s nothing very magical about waiting on line for an hour at Disney World, then not being able to ride because you can’t fit in the seat. Or to be able to ride the ride, but be in constant pain the entire time because the …
Close your eyes and picture yourself at Disney World in sunny Florida … where you’re pulling your jacket around you tightly, wishing that you’d thought to pack gloves, and are debating whether or not to buy a hot chocolate just so you’ll stop shivering. Wait, …
Gather around, children, and listen to the tale of my family’s very first Disney World vacation … As soon as we entered the Magic Kingdom, we went to a kiosk to get little slips of paper called “Fast Passes.” Once we had these very important …
If you’re bringing a baby to Disney World, a baby carrier that you and your baby both very comfortable is a very useful item to bring along too. If you’re thinking to yourself, “Oh, we don’t need that, we’re bringing a stroller,” keep in mind …
I’m willing to bet that if you have kids (and maybe even if you don’t), you’re planning at least one trip to Disney World in the future — even if “the future” means three or four years from now. And if you’ve spoken to anyone …
Around the time our daughter Rebecca was middle school age, she got turned onto pin trading during our Disney vacations. Looking for places to trade pins, discovering unique pins, and looking for pins of our favorite characters finding pins that she really liked became a …
If you’re planning a trip to Disney World (especially during the summer months), you might be so concerned about the heat that you forget about the rain. But the truth is, it’s very likely that you’ll get at least a little rain — if not …
The last thing you want during your vacation to Universal Studios Orlando is for you (or your spouse or kids) to be uncomfortable. Wearing shoes that hurt, socks that cause blister, or anything that’s inappropriate for the weather is no fun. And Florida weather can …
My daughter Rebecca and I just came back from our first visit to Universal Studios in Orlando. As usual, I did some right and some things not-so-right, so I thought my first post about the trip should be about what to pack and what to …
If you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World in the not-too-distant future, and really have your heart set on a character dining experience with some princesses, I have some bad news for you. At the time of this writing (November 2022), almost none of …
I often see posts online where people ask if it’s “worth it” for adults to go to Disney World without any kids. Um … yes! Honestly, one of the best trips I had was when I went to Disney World with a friend of mine. …
Are you planning a trip to Disney World soon and wondering about the best counter service locations at Magic Kingdom? There are plenty of different options throughout the park where you can a great meal and/or snack without needing reservations or spending much time before …
Are you planning an adults-only Disney World trip and wondering if you should bother going to the Magic Kingdom? I get it. After all, it has a reputation for being the most kid-friendly Disney park. Maybe you’re wondering if you’d be bored — or worse, …
If your family is spending the day at one of the Walt Disney World parks, you’re going to need plenty of stuff with you. How much stuff depends on your personality, how old your kids are, and your eating game plan for the day, among …
There are lot of different reasons that people choose, or prefer, one Disney park over the other. But one common question that comes up, especially for Disney first-timers, is “Which park has the most rides?” And it makes sense. After all, you paid a lot …
If you’re a regular reader here, you may already know that I prefer to wear sundresses for more than half the trip when I go to Disney World. And on the days when I do wear shorts, I don’t go out and special pair for …
Taking an infant (or even a 1 or 2 year old) to Disney World can be a controversial issue. This quote from Reddit sums up how some [rather grumpy] people feel about it: You traveled all the way out there, spent hundreds or even thousands …
While Walt Disney World is one of the most magical places on earth, it’s not very magical when your toddler complains of sore feet at the end of a long, hot day. It can be difficult to find cute toddler shoes that are also durable …
It’s quite unlike me to take a Disney World trip with such little notice, but between the fact that I was about to start a brand new job Masks were (for the moment) no longer required After a few years of not caring, my daughter …
Are you considering a Walt Disney World vacation, but wondering if your kids are too young (or too old)? Obviously there’s no magical answer to when to take you kids to Disney World. Some of the factors to take into consideration are how many kids …
The good news is that Cape May Cafe, located in Disney’s Beach Club Resort, one of the “Epcot resorts,” re-opened on May 18,2021. (They were open for reservations beginning May 7, 2021.) More good news is that the prices are significantly lower — particularly for …
Everyone wants to know about the best shoes to wear to Disney World — and they should — but they often forget that the right socks are also very important. After reading this post, you’ll know what to look for in a sock, why you …
As you know, taking your family on a vacation to the Walt Disney World Resort — especially if it’s your first trip — isn’t something you decide to do and then show up and wander in when the date comes. There’s a lot to learn. …
One of the best ways to save money on a Disney World vacation is to bring your own food into the park. And yes, bringing your own food and drinks is completely allowed, as long as you follow these rules: No glass containers No alcoholic …
Why pack a cooler for your day at the Disney parks? You can save a ton of money You can save time and not have to worry about adjusting your schedule to reservations You can better accommodate your family’s dietary preferences Packing a cooler doesn’t …
There are all kinds of things you need to do to prepare for a Disney World vacation, from making a packing list, booking a hotel, getting restaurant reservations, and finding out where to find your favorite characters. But there’s one thing you need to prepare …
Being a fan of Disney World trivia, I was curious what the shortest rides at Disney World. So I did a little research, found some great photos, threw in my two cents, and voila — this post was born! All ride length times are from …
If you’re a fan of Disney World trivia like I am, you might be curious what the longest ride in all of Disney World is. After reading this post, you’ll know both the longest ride and the longest attraction, as well as a few runners-up. …
Update: It’s been confirmed that ‘Ohana will reopened on Friday, July 9. You might still enjoy reading the rest of the article, though. 😊 It’s been over half a year since Walt Disney reopened its gates in July 2020, but as you already know, things …
I was doing some online shopping for a new umbrella to keep in my car, because mine somehow disappeared recently. (I think it has something to do with one of my kids.) As I was looking for an umbrella, it got me wondering if using …
One of the challenges of a Disney World vacation is figuring out which things your should splurge on and which things you should try to save money on. Memory Maker is a package that you buy before your trip that allows you access to all …
Rock n Roller Coaster in Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios, a fast roller coaster with loops that blares Aerosmith music through speakers near your head during the ride, is a good prop to illustrate the differences between me and my husband Rob. Rob gets motion …
I still have a very vivid memory of being mad at my mother because she wouldn’t let me ride Space Mountain during my own childhood trip to Disney World when I was in elementary school. In retrospect, it was probably a good call on her …
Yes, Disney World has finally announced their re-opening dates for the parks. In this post you’re going to learn not only when the parks are going to open, but also the new parks hours, changes that you’ll see a guest, and new protocol and requirements. …
Did you know that the average distance walked at Disney World is ten miles a day!?! That’s a lot of walking, and if you’re not prepared with the right shoes — comfortable walking shoes that are high quality and have great arch support — then …
Sometimes planning a trip to Disney World can be overwhelming, and the more people and age groups involved, the more overwhelming it can be. After reading this post, you’ll know a bunch of “insider secrets” and quick hacks to help you save money, time, and …
I don’t know about you, but I’m always interesting in what’s popular and trending. Whenever I go to a new restaurant — and especially if I’m ordering dessert — I’ll ask the server, “What’s your most popular dish?” or “Which dessert is your favorite?” When …
Did you know that the temperature in Orlando, Florida in July is an average high of 92 degrees? And did you know that the average Disney World guest walks close to 10 miles a day? That can be a very unpleasant combination — and even …
When you picture your Disney World vacation, you’re probably imagining a beautiful, sunny, clear day where you can’t wait to ride Splash Mountain to cool off a little bit. So it may throw you for a loop when you’re about to head out to the …
One of the very first questions people ask when they begin planning a Disney vacation is, “How can we save money?” I hate to have to tell you this, but a Disney World vacation is way more expensive in 2022 that it was back in …
When you go to Walt Disney World, two things you want to do is 1) Ride the best rides; and 2) Avoid the long lines as much as possible. Hopefully this post will help you do both. To be included on this list, the ride …
Sometimes when we’re planning a Disney World vacation, we get so excited about what we want to ride that we almost forget there are some restrictions about what we can ride. Or, more specifically, about what our kids can ride. It would be awful for …
One of the many things that I love about Disney world are the gift shops. I don’t crazy buying souvenirs, but I do enjoy both looking and buying. However, while shopping can be a fun part of your Disney vacation, there are some things that …
Lately I’ve seen some people in discussion groups saying, “I’ve seen glow sticks listed on Disney World packing lists. I don’t understand … what are they for?” The simple answer is that they’re for fun once it starts to get dark outside. To some extent, …
Quick! What is everything you need to pack for your family’s Walt Disney World vacation? The question is enough to make your head spin, especially if you have little people in your family that you need to “pack” for just to drive 3 miles around …
According to Wikipedia, the Apple Watch was released in April if 2015 and quickly became the best-selling wearable device, with 4.2 million of them sold in the second quarter of 2015. You maybe already own an Apple Watch, but maybe you never thought about how …
This is a bit of a departure from my usual posts. Instead of giving a “Complete Guide” to a restaurant, ride, or topic, I’m being full-on subjective and sharing my personal list of things I’ve done at Disney World that I’ll never do again. Of …
Epcot’s fireworks show, “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth,” was a tribute to the nations of the world, involving not just fireworks, but also lasers, dancing water, and music. Premiering on October 1, 1999, it was Walt Disney World’s longest running fireworks show and, according to Wikipedia, …
Walt Disney World offers something for everything from the moment that you arrive. There are rides, food galore, and the always exciting moments of running into the amazing Disney characters as well. (Even as adults, there’s always time to snap a quick photo with a …
The first couple times we went to Disney World we had toddlers, and I was more concerned about just figuring everything out and making everything work than I was with whether or not I was wearing a cute outfit. However, now that we’ve all gotten …
Last week I attended Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom for the very first time — not with my three kids and husband (or the cats), but with my good friend Loraine. After reading this post, you’ll learn everything you need …
I just came back from my latest Disney World vacation. It was my first adult-only trip, with just me and my friend Loraine (who also has three kids, three cats, and a husband). Every Disney trip is unique, but this one was particularly different …
I remember one time when the girls were little and we encountered Mary Poppins completely by accident as we were walking through the United Kingdom pavilion in Epcot. “Is this your first time visiting?” Mary Poppins asked briskly as she signed one of their autograph …
Fantasmic! is an outdoor “mixed media nighttime spectacular” at Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World. It includes, among other things fireworks, characters, live actors, water effects, music, decorated boat floats, and mist screen projections. Basically, the show stars Mickey Mouse (in his “Sorcerer’s Apprentice” role) …
Flight of Passage is the better and more popular of the two rides in Animal Kingdom’s newest land, Pandora — The World of Avatar. It is, of course, based on the then-popular-now-not-so-much 2009 film Avatar. Disney began developing Pandora — World of Avatar in 2011 …
I love trivia, especially when it comes to behind-the-scenes, entertainment-related things. (It kind of drives my kids crazy sometimes.) For example: Did you know that some of the names considered for the Seven Dwarfs included Awful, Blabby, Deefy, Dirty, Gabby, Gaspy, Gloomy, Hoppy-Jumpy, Nifty, and …
Whether you’ve been to Disney World or not, you’ve heard people speak of the “Dole Whip,” often with a touch of love and longing in their voice. In this post we’ll cover some important facts about the Dole Whip, all the places where you can …
So this guide to the best Magic Kingdom rides might be a little different than what you’ve seen before, or what you’re expecting. There’s no Top 10 Countdown, no ranking of all the rides. I didn’t give each ride a grade. There’s not even a …
So I guess I’m really slow when it comes to certain things ,,, but I just discovered last week that there is something called “The Disney Rash.” As you’ll see in a moment, it isn’t really a rash at all, but it is kinda ugly …
Honestly, a part of me kinda miss the old days of FastPass at Disney World. I have fond memories of striding into the Magic Kingdom in September 2005 with my parents, husband, and two little girls all obediently following me, since I was the only …
I remember our family’s very first trip to Disney World, when little two year old Becca gave Chip (or was it Dale?) a great big hug and just hung on, so content and peaceful that it looked like she never wanted to let go. Then …
The very first time we went to Disney World as a family, I debated whether we should spring for an autograph book. After all, if you think about it (although I usually try not to), it’s really just an employee in a suit who has …
Our family’s first trip to Disney World was very spur of the moment. My parents invited us to go with them, and the trip was in less than six weeks! So we didn’t have the luxury (or is it a curse?) of pouring over articles …