Articles
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How to Plan a Day in the Parks
(revised 8/28/2024) I’m not a big fan of prescribed touring plans. There. I said it. While I think that a lot of fantastic information can be gleaned from them, touring plans are not a one size fits all kind of deal. Even targeted touring plans for young families, multi-generational groups or adults only, can’t really anticipate your group’s needs exactly. With so many variables like weather, ride shutdowns, and the current mood of your toddler, it is easy to have that plan derailed. Follow to the letter cookie cutter touring plans aren’t for me. However, I am constantly researching the advice given with different touring plans. They can be helpful…
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Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue
We try to do something a little different every time we visit Disney World. Thought I’d start sharing some of those things here with brief “good for” reviews. Not a deep dive. Just enough information to help you to decide if it’s something your group might be interested in and how it could fit into your Disney World vacation. Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue is a dinner show in Pioneer Hall at the Fort Wilderness Campgrounds, a Disney resort location with cabins and campsites in the Magic Kingdom area near Wilderness Lodge. Dinner is served family style (all you care to eat): bbq ribs, fried chicken, cornbread, baked beans, slaw, mac and…
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Disney World Dining Is Just Another Attraction
I have practically shouted from the metaphorical spires of Cinderella’s castle (many, many, many times) about my feelings towards dining at the parks and resorts. At Disney World, dining is just another attraction. Period. There truly is something for everyone from traditional snacks like corn dog nuggets, turkey legs and popcorn to upscale signature restaurants. Enjoy yourself! We won’t tell Nemo and Friends that you had that delicious sushi in Epcot’s Japan pavilion. The best magic is when the dining truly becomes an actual attraction. Imagineering doesn’t stop at the rides, shows and park pathways. A lot goes into the world building and storytelling of just about EVERY dining location…
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Disney Parks Dream List
Like my fellow diehard Disney Parks fans, I have an ever evolving Disney Parks bucket list. It consists of what-I-haven’t-gotten-to and if-only-I-could-afford-it. Just as I tick something achievable off the list, something new is tacked on. To make matters worse, I also spend an inordinate amount of time dreaming up Disney World attractions. I not so secretly hope that my kid will grow up to be an Imagineer, so I have been quietly compiling a list of those Disney Parks Dreams to stuff in his suitcase when he moves to Glendale. As a later in life Disney Parks fan, I also mourn those attractions that retired before I got a…
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Disney Parks Bucket List
Not everyone is a Disney person but everyone has something that they enjoy doing; places that bring them joy and give them something to look forward to. I love going to Disney World with my sister and my son. Making memories at the parks is our thing. Planning a trip to Disney World was always a positive outlet for me. I’m finding it a little harder these days. I miss it because I don’t feel comfortable getting on a plane and going to the parks right now. It will, most likely, be a long time before I do. It’s hard for me to even think about planning a trip when…
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Creepy Things Around Disney World
Somehow the season of pumpkins and creepy shenanigans is upon us. This year minutes, hours, days, weeks and even seasons have all blurred together. While I am looking forward to cooler weather, fall foliage and pumpkin spiced you-name-it, this alternate reality we are living in has me a little leery of waning daylight hours. In this surreal world of mask covered faces and social distancing, I am finding it easier to summon the darker side of that Disney magic. So, I offer you a tongue in cheek look at some of the things around Disney World that CREEP ME OUT. While villains sometimes roam the parks, there are other less…
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Epcot’s Spaceship Earth Is My Disney Castle
For a fuller reading experience, play this in the background. Trust me. When Epcot opened in October of 1982, the park’s icon, Spaceship Earth, had its grand debut. Featured prominently near the front gate of Epcot’s Future World, Spaceship Earth was (and still is) a 15 minute slow dark ride through history. Suitable for the whole family, the attraction celebrated communication as the key component to human survival. We thrived when we began to communicate and share ideas globally. An important lesson then and probably even more important now. We all have a common interest: our planet. When I went to Disney World as a kid, Epcot didn’t exist yet. …
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Why I Keep Going Back to Disney World
I have a little bee in my Disney bonnet and I know that I’m not alone. Does this sound familiar to anyone? First, let me say that I do realize that I am beyond fortunate to visit Disney World often. It is an expense that some families can only justify shelling out for once in a lifetime. Some can’t imagine ever being able to afford it at all. I get it. I may not always be so fortunate and I do not take that for granted. While a trip to Disney World may not be everyone’s cup of tea, even if they can afford it, I am puzzled by the…
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What’s This? 3 Ways Disney and Holiday Magic Are the Same
Since the tinsel comes out on November 1st these days, the holiday season is already well under way. Sadly, we are spring visitors to Disney World and all of the Christmas trappings at the parks are only experienced by us via Instagram. However, how I feel in the parks is very similar to how I feel during the holiday season. Walking through the gates of Magic Kingdom under the warm Florida sun? Feels the same as walking in from the cold through the door of a cozy house all decorated for the holidays. The holidays are full of wonder and magic, spending time with family and friends and making new…
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Best Sources for Disney World Trip Planning
Updated: 2/29/2020 Over the years our trips have benefited from the hard work of other Disney vloggers, bloggers, podcasters and IGers. I regularly follow favorite sources to keep up to date on Disney World and Disney Cruise Line. All of that great information hasn’t cost me a dime. So, in the spirit of season, I”d like to give a little Thanksgiving shout-out to all of those folks who work hard to make my trips to Disney World better. Hopefully, I am returning the favor by pointing you to these great sources for Disney World trip planning. Okay. Now, let’s talk Disney trip planning turkey. I’m breaking it down by specific…
