Tag Archives: Disney World

Disney Food, Epcot, Memory Keeping

Plan Your Visit to EPCOT’s Fall Food & Wine Festival

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This is a must-attend festival which happens late summer into the Fall.

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Each country in World Showcase, along with many “pop-up” countries scattered around the lagoon, features scrumptious bites! There is nothing better than wandering around the WORLD, tasting the flavors of all the different countries.

This past Fall, I had the pleasure of spending several days doing just that. Wandering around World Showcase and sampling many different sweet and savory treats from around the world.

The Sweet Potato Casserole fries from the Fry Basket were a sweet dessert. Yum! The Pumpkin Ravioli were another favorite.

Churro Sundae
Grand Marnier Orange Slush

Honestly, I could just wander Food & Wine for days on end. The lines moved quickly, even if they were long, and we always managed to find a table or trash can to perch on to eat.

Have you been to EPCOT’s Food & Wine Festival? If not, let’s get you there. The Fall is the perfect time to visit. The weather is tolerable and the crowds are better than Spring and Summer.

I’ve got the perfect base for a great Food & Wine Festival-focused trip! Just a few steps away on the Boardwalk, at the lovely, recently renovated Boardwalk Inn.

Disney Food, Memory Keeping

Delicious Breakfast Delights at Trattoria al Forno

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While I’ve had dinner at Trattoria al Forno several times, this was my first breakfast experience. It did not disappoint.

Staying at the Boardwalk Inn made booking a last-minute breakfast here very easy. We were able to snag the reservation the night before and get a nice breakfast in our tummies before heading over to Epcot for more picture taking and Food & Wine exploring. Not to mention a ride on Guardians of the Galaxy!!

You’ll find all the delicious breakfast options from omelets and frittatas to pancakes and even a breakfast pizza.

I chose a Peach Bellini and the Caprese Omelet. Both were delicious and the service was excellent. The restaurant was busy, but we didn’t feel rushed.

A lovely start to the day. Trattoria al Forno never disappoints.

Disney Resorts, Memory Keeping

Top Dining Options on EPCOT’s Boardwalk You Can’t Miss

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Let’s take a walk on the Boardwalk. This area at EPCOT is, and always has been, one of my favorite places to wander.

On a recent trip, I stayed at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Resort and was able to spend a good amount of time exploring the Boardwalk.

The Boardwalk comes alive at night with a barbershop quartet and magicians, jugglers, and a very lively ice cream shop with incdredibly delish creamy delights.

One of the main complaints I hear about The Boardwalk Inn is the lack of easy dining options. Which is strange, because honestly, there are tons of dining options, and it’s not a long walk to 4 other resorts with dining options and all the countries of World Showcase.

The Inn itself has a wonderful little grab-and-go coffee shop off the lobby. They even had a very yummy specialty coffee drink à la Starbucks style. Breakfast goodies like croissants, muffins, and yogurt.

Iced Frappe on the back porch overlooking boardwalk

One of my favorite restaurants on the boardwalk has always been Trattoria Al Forno, and it’s a great option for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Full review here. Right next door is AbracadaBar with curious concoctions with names like Hoodunit’s Punch and The Conjurita!

Quick service options include Pizza by the slice, Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs, Boardwalk Joe’s Marvelous Margaritas, and Boardwalk Ice Cream!

The Cake Bake Shop Restaurant by Gwendolyn Rogers offers a bakery as well. And along with Trattoria Al Forno, Flying Fish is another table service option.

I really enjoyed my time strolling the boardwalk. The margarita was delicious, the quartet sang Barbara Ann by the Beach Boys and then looked for a Barbara and found me. I was only the second Barbara they had ever actually had in the crowd. The Thundering Surf Peanut Butter and Chocolate Sundae was divine! Definately make time for an evening on the Boardwalk next time you are at Disney World. Better yet, stay right there!

Disney Resorts, Memory Keeping

Exploring Disney’s Boardwalk: A Renovated Gem

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Disney’s Boardwalk has recently been renovated to be a very pretty, classic, upscale version of the New Jersey boardwalk it is modeled after.

One of the best perks of course, is the Boardwalk’s proximity to EPCOT. A less than 10-minute stroll brings you to EPCOT’s International Gateway into World Showcase between the U.K. and France. Since I was there for EPCOT”S Food and Wine Festival, it was the perfect base.

The room is a standard Disney Deluxe room, with 2 queen beds and subtle, not over-the-top, theming. The bathroom is also standard with 2 sinks in the hallway alcove, and the toilet and shower in the bathroom. There are plenty of outlets and lighting. A coffee maker with supplies, good sized closet, wall mounted tv, and a balcony.

Our particular room, on the second floor, had a lovely, large balcony. The second floor is the main floor where the lobby and a small coffee/pastry shop is located. The boardwalk is down on ground level.

Remember the scary clown pool?

The clown is gone!

Transportation options here can be both great and not so great. You cannot beat the walk to EPCOT and the Skyliner is just outside the International Gateway. You have the Friendship Boats to Hollywood Studios or take a ride on the Skyliner. A bus will take you to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. The buses often share the other EPCOT resorts so can be slow at busy times. We walked through EPCOT to the monorail and took a scenic Skyliner ride and the boat to Hollywood Studios. The only real issue was Disney Springs which is always an issue. I recommend taking a Lyft to Disney Springs.

This is a beautiful resort located in the heart of Disney World. It’s peaceful during the day and comes alive at night.

Memory Keeping

Top 3 Disney World Splurges

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After Hours Parties

Of course, there are the ever-popular Halloween and Christmas parties as well.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

Join some of your favorite Disney Characters for an evening of spirited fun at this spooktacular celebration.

Get your favorite costume ready and make your plans to live it up—collecting candies, sweets, and delightful treats—all while Magic Kingdom park thrills and chills you with electrifying entertainment and eerily fun activities.

Like the Halloween party, the party starts at 7pm, but your special ticket allows you to enter the park at 4pm to get a head start on activities.

  • Set your sights on a group of sinister sisters as they bewitch and bedazzle the residents of Magic Kingdom park at the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular.
  • Don’t miss Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular*—a wickedly wild fireworks display featuring some of your favorite Disney Characters.
  • Collect a bag full of candy as you roam the trick-or-treat trails in search of some of your favorite sweets.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

When Mickey celebrates the season, Magic Kingdom park lights up with excitement for Guests of all ages. Cinderella Castle shimmers. Joyful music fills the air. Disney Characters don their most festive attire. Favorite attractions take on a holiday theme. And enchanting surprises lie around almost every turn!

  • Christmas fun awaits as Mickey invites his pals over for an unforgettable party.
  • Queen Elsa transforms Cinderella Castle.
  • Holiday parade brimming with joy and magic!
  • Look to the sky as your host—Minnie Mouse—presents a dazzling fireworks show full of festive cheer.
  • Bring home a Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party memory with a piece of official merchandise from shops across the park.

Wild Africa Trek

Be awestruck viewing wild animals in their natural habitat on the 3-hour Wild Africa Trek. Discover animals of nearly every variety living in the Safi River Valley—an amazing environment that resembles their home in Africa.

Walk along a grassland path, cross a rope bridge and ride in a rugged safari vehicle over an open savanna—with a chance to view African creatures including towering giraffes, powerful rhinos, hippos, and crocodiles.

Along your journey, your knowledgeable guide will share insights about the majestic animals you’re viewing as well as the general operation of Disney’s Animal Kingdom park and details about the park’s dedication to animal conservation.

And as if your safari weren’t enough, you’ll receive complimentary photo services as well. Enjoy the animals of the Harambe Reserve while a trained photographer captures all the action and excitement throughout your adventure. At the end of your expedition, you’ll receive a photo code that you can use to access and download images taken during your Wild Africa Trek experience. Two gourmet snack breaks are also included.

Disney Resorts, Memory Keeping

Inside the Magic: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

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Step into the heart of Africa at this magnificent Resort hotel. Inspired by the traditional African kraal, the horseshoe-curved design provides spectacular views of 4 lush savannas that over 200 hoofed animals and birds call home.

Experience your own African safari adventure with a touch of Disney magic!

This resort was an ambitious effort by Walt Disney Imagineering to bring guests closer to the magic and fully immerse them into a world, or in this case, the African Savanna. Not only did the design team want to provide a truly authentic experience, but they also wanted to add an element with which they had little control… Animals!

Opening on April 16, 2001, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge — today is known as Jambo House — is one of the resort’s most spectacular and most authentic-feeling hotels. The resort recreates the feel of an African reserve lodge. The architecture, interior design, and landscaping creates one of the most immersive Disney resort experiences for guests.

The planning and design of the lodge took place from 1997-98 and construction lasted approximately two and a half years. The backstory on the Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort is pretty straightforward. “We worked closely with Joe Rohde from the very beginning,” said Randy Johnson. “So the story behind the hotel developed organically as he [Rohde] collaborated with the team during the design process.”

The Design

The design of the Animal Kingdom Lodge was influenced by one guiding principle — the design team wanted guests to become part of “the journey.” “We wanted guests to experience a magical and slightly mysterious safari expedition into the unexpected and the profound,” says Johnson. “We wanted to create an authentic experience, textiles, art, and artifacts that would be seen during their ‘safari’ trip.” To create this authentic safari trip, the team used as many native materials as possible in the lodge.

Be sure to take the time to enjoy the lookouts, the time spent gazing at the giraffe or zebras will undoubtedly be one of your favorite experiences. The central lobby of Animal Kingdom Lodge is set up with numerous overlooks. Sunset Overlook shows over 30 different species on the Savannah. If you aren’t sure exactly what animal you are spotting, there is a Wilderness Field Guide in the main lobby.  

Visitor at breakfast at Saana at Kidani Village

The Savannah view room is definitely worth it. Relaxing on your own balcony and enjoying the animals is hard to beat.

Animal Kingdom

Trekking Through Animal Kingdom

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Animal Kingdom is a theme park in Walt Disney World that is themed around the natural world and its creatures. As such, there are many animal trails that guests can explore to see a wide variety of animals up close and learn more about them. Here are some of the most popular animal trails at Animal Kingdom:

These animal trails provide guests with a unique opportunity to see animals up close and learn about their habitats and behaviors. Visitors are encouraged to take their time exploring each trail and to observe the animals from a safe distance to ensure their well-being.

Maharajah Jungle Trek: This trail takes guests through the ruins of an ancient palace in the forests of Asia, where they can see tigers, bats, birds, and other animals native to the region.

Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail: This trail leads guests through lush African forests where they can see gorillas, hippos, birds, and other African wildlife.

Discovery Island Trails: These trails wind through the center of the park around the Tree of Life and offer guests the chance to see a variety of animals, including flamingos, kangaroos, and lemurs.

Oasis Exhibits: These exhibits are located at the park’s entrance and showcase a variety of animals, including giant anteaters, wallabies, and sloths.

So many animals! Plan to spend some time enjoying these animal treks, this is what Animal Kingdom is all about.

Epcot, Memory Keeping

Say Hello: Character Meet and Greets at Epcot

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Epcot, the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, is a unique theme park located in Walt Disney World Resort, Florida. The park is known for its educational and entertaining attractions, and it offers guests the chance to meet and interact with a variety of characters.

Here are some of the characters you can meet at Epcot:

Disney Princesses – Epcot is the perfect place to meet your favorite Disney Princesses. You can interact with Belle, Jasmine, Mulan, Snow White, and other princesses in the World Showcase. Don’t forget to bring your autograph book! You’ll find Belle in France, Snow White in Germany, Jasmine in Morocco, Mulan in China and so on…

International Characters – Epcot’s World Showcase is home to characters from around the world. You can meet Mary Poppins and Alice in Wonderland in the United Kingdom Pavilion. You can also meet cultural representatives from various countries who share their customs, traditions, and stories.

Vanellope – Pose for a pic with the fastest racer this side of the internet inside Imageworks in World Celebrations.

Anna & Elsa – Chill out with royal sisters Elsa & Anna from Frozen at their charming summer cabin, Royal Sommerhus in the Norway Pavillion.

Joy – Meet Joy from the Disney and Pixar film Inside Out at her workplace—inside the head of Riley, an 11-year-old girl. You will find Joy at Imageworks

Meeting characters at Epcot is a magical experience that guests of all ages can enjoy. Don’t forget to bring your camera and autograph book, and be prepared to make memories that will last a lifetime.

Animal Kingdom, Memory Keeping

Say Hello: Character Meet and Greets at Animal Kingdom

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If you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom, you’re in for a treat. Not only is the park home to a variety of exotic animals and breathtaking rides, but you’ll also have the chance to meet some of your favorite Disney characters in a setting that’s truly unique.

Here are some of the characters you can meet at Animal Kingdom:

Mickey & Minnie: Join the globetrotting couple at the Adventurers Outpost as they prepare themselves for their next grand expedition. Peruse exotic mementos they’ve collected on their trips around the world before posing for a postcard-perfect picture with the pair. 

Pocahontas – This beloved Disney princess can be found near the Tree of Life, where she’ll be happy to pose for photos and sign autographs.

Donald Duck – This feathered friend is a favorite of many visitors to Animal Kingdom. You can find him near DinoLand U.S.A., where he’ll be happy to take photos and sign autographs.

Kevin: Meet Kevin at the Character Landing by Flame Tree Barbeque

Dug and Russell – Fans of the movie “Up” won’t want to miss the chance to meet these two lovable characters. You can find them near the park’s entrance, and they’re always happy to make new friends.

Meeting these characters is a great way to add some extra magic to your visit to Animal Kingdom. Make sure to bring your camera and autograph book, and get ready to create some unforgettable memories.

Magic Kingdom, Memory Keeping

Say Hello: Character Meet and Greets at Magic Kingdom

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Magic Kingdom is a magical place where dreams come to life and fantasies become reality. It is home to some of the most iconic Disney characters that have captured the hearts of millions of fans worldwide. From the classic Mickey Mouse to the newer characters like Merida, there is a character for everyone at Magic Kingdom.

Here are some of the characters you can meet at Magic Kingdom:

Mickey Mouse: Pop into Mickey’s rehearsal room at Town Square Theatre for the chance to greet Mickey! Discover props and posters from Mickey’s magical career in the theater and maybe even spot a disappearing dove or a rabbit coming out of a hat. The greatest magic of all happens when Mickey Mouse strikes a pose for a fun photo with you.

Cinderella: Cinderella is one of the most beloved Disney princesses, and she can be found at Magic Kingdom, at Princess Fairytale Hall, where she often greets her fans in front of her castle. She is always dressed in her signature blue gown and glass slippers, ready to enchant visitors with her grace and beauty.

Donald & Goofy: Step right up and say hello to the stars of this slapstick circus: snake charmer extraordinaire The Astounding Donaldo and his daring stuntman pal The Great Goofini! Share hugs, get autographs and snap pictures of your new friends—before the show’s over at Pete’s Silly Sideshow.

Winnie the Pooh & Tigger: Spend some time in a shady place deep in the Hundred-Acre Wood. Winnie the Pooh and Tigger love seeing new friends at the Thotful Spot and old to share hugs and maybe even a smackerel of honey.

Aladdin & Jasmine: Make your way into the exotic marketplace in Adventureland to meet Princess Jasmine and her prince, Aladdin. They’ll share stories of Agrabah under the shade of a colorful awning. You can recount your own tales of adventure in another magical kingdom you may know.

In conclusion, Magic Kingdom is a magical place where visitors can meet some of the most iconic Disney characters. From classic characters like Mickey Mouse and Cinderella to newer characters like Merida, there is a character for everyone at Magic Kingdom. So, next time you visit this enchanting place, don’t forget to say hello to your favorite Disney character.