My Favorite Things to Do at Magic Kingdom

Hello everyone!

After a brief medical hiatus, I have returned and hope to regularly post on a scheduled basis that will consist Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays starting in February.

As a medically needy person, I tend to avoid the usual things at parks like roller coasters and food (for the most part). Despite that, the only true parks I ever go to are Disney related, even when the purpose of going to parks is to ride things and eat food you only dream of eating.

So what do I enjoy doing at Magic Kingdom?

Meeting Characters- One of my favorite things to do at Magic Kingdom is explore and locate my favorite characters to add a photo and signature to the autograph book. Meeting the characters has always been a unique experience each time I go, which always makes it worth it.
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh- Despite this ride constantly having downtime when I visit, doesn’t make this ride any less enjoyable. The gentle rocks of the honey pot aren’t too big of a deal and every time I ride there’s always a new detail I spot!
The People Mover- I REALLY love the people mover. It’s an easy going ride that allows you to take a tour of Tomorrowland; no spirals or loops needed! It will even take you by Space Mountain, where you can hear the screams of ridegoers as you drive by.
Pin Trading- As you may have noticed in a previous blog, I collect pins and trade whenever I go to the parks. Magic Kingdom is one of the best parks to trade pins with, as there are multiple known locations (as well as some not so well known ones) that have some amazing selections.
Pirates of the Caribbean- This ride is quite popular so I’m sure it’s on many favorites lists. I’ve liked it despite the upgrades they’ve made, and despite some people being unhappy with it, the ride continues to have frequently long lines and wait times. Since it’s one of my favorites, I continue to make sure I have a FastPass so I can make sure this is an absolute stop when I’m in MK!
Shopping- The best thing one can do at Magic Kingdom is shop! I prefer shopping here over any of the other parks because there is so much to choose from, and isn’t based off of one park but the collective.
Under the Sea- Journey of the Little Mermaid- This ride is a slow mover, and follows Ariel on her journey to finding her happily ever after. Despite its incredibly long wait time, I enjoy sitting in the clam shell and marveling at the impressive animatronics that make up the ride.
Happily Ever After Fireworks Show- A grand fireworks display that seamlessly blends in visuals and music while showing that while life has its ups and downs, you can have a happily ever after. This show lasts about 20-25 minutes and is a fantastic sight to see, and a great way to end the night at Magic Kingdom.
Liberty Tree Tavern- Since I was a picky eater (before my medical diagnosis), the chicken tenders and fries here were to die for and there are plenty of other options to! Service is pretty fast and the atmosphere matches Liberty Square and a (maybe?) harbor pub theme nicely. By the way, did I mention the chicken tenders are awesome?
Jungle Cruise- The final thing I enjoy is the Jungle Cruise and the tour guides vary in their jokes (which are incredibly cheesy) and tours. While I enjoy the ride as it’s really calming compared to a busy day at the park, it does need a serious update as most of the animals are stagnant, but it’s still a great ride I look forward to going on!

Those are my top favorite things to do at the Magic Kingdom, next time I’ll be diving into my favorite things to do at Epcot!

Spot

Disney Ornament Haul and Review 11/14/18

Hi Disney Lovers!

It’s a slightly small haul this time around due to recently purchasing my first property, but it’s still a haul! With Christmas only a month away, the stores are beginning to sell ornaments for trees. I enjoy decorating my trees and have two (the large one in my living room and a slightly smaller one in the bedroom) trees to decorate with one being Disney themed.

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Woody is sold through Hallmark and was picked up at Walmart for $5.97. Overall he is well made and looks true to character- he isn’t too weighted where the tree’s limb bends under the weight which is nice, but the ribbon to hang him up is a little long so he sits on top of the branch. A really nice addition to my growing collection as I really am loving the pose he is in as well! It adds character to him.

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This Elsa is another ornament sold through Hallmark that I had gotten at Walmart for $5.97. This is a pretty ornament that is decently made. The only issues is the paint on the face can be a little iffy and I had to look through multiple ornaments before picking the one I own, and the fact that she is very bottom heavy and pulls the branches down. Other than that I’m super excited with adding her to my ornaments and actually prefer this one over the Olaf’s Frozen Adventure Elsa ornament, whose paint job is much more lackluster.

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This pair of vintage winter Mickey and Minnie ornaments were purchased at CVS for $5.95, each sold separately. I love the earlier styles of Mickey and Minnie and didn’t really have any complaints with either ornament; both are well made and have decent weight but not enough to weigh them down. I’m so glad I scooped them up when I saw them last week because I returned to the store yesterday there weren’t any left!

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These Mickey ornaments were found at the Disney Store in the Tanger Outlet in Hershey, PA. These were purchased over the summer but I had waited to post them until I had more to show. Each ornament in this series has a Disney princess style on them (example is Tiana has a green ornament with lily pads on it). Each set came in a pack of eight for $24.99 but since they were at the outlet and it being the Christmas in July sale, I got 2 packs for $12.99 each which basically is two for the price of one. They are glass with glitter and well made, but they are smaller than a basic glass ornament which can be a cute touch without being overbearing. I’m happy I found them and hope to see if I can find more next time I’m in the area.

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Disney Sketchbook Mini Ornaments are fantastic for trees that are on the smaller size. They are about 3 inches in length each and are simple in design. I picked up the Winnie the Pooh ornaments on the Shop Disney website for $29.99, and while typing this out and being unable to locate them on the store site (meaning they may be sold out), Amazon sells them for $28.95. I highly recommend adding these to your tree for a small and simple touch.

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While wrapped and in it’s box, I bought the Babies First Winnie the Pooh Ornament (2018) for my nephew who will be celebrating his first Christmas (looked at it before wrapping). This ornament is a lead free metal that is well detailed down to the little quilt and honey wand rattle. I picked this up at CVS for $12.99, but if you’re at the Hallmark store you can grab it for $19.99. This is a great ornament to get for the new addition to the family, and I am excited to give it to my sister for him.

20181113_214340 Shout out to a purchase I made last year and kept safe until this year. I bought this Limited Edition Keepsake Santa’s Little Helper Pluto for $19.99. While a little hefty in size, this ornament is beautifully crafted with small velvet antlers and fuzzy wreath with hidden Mickey bulbs. By far this is my favorite ornament to date. Since it was Limited Edition it is no longer for sale at Hallmark’s stores but you can purchase it on Ebay for nearly the same price!

That’s it for my ornament haul this time. I hope you enjoyed it and let me know if you found any nice Disney ornaments I can add to my collection!

Spot

Personal Shopping

I can’t tell you how honored I am that I have friends and family members looking for help shopping for their friends. I have a few friends and relatives who have children in their lives who love Disney and don’t know what to get them, as Disney isn’t something they know well. To be asked to help gives me a sense of joy, as it mixes two things together I love: gifting and Disney!

I’m not a professional, let me tell you that! If I could work as a professional shopper for Disney that would be a dream come true, but to help make others happy is a great feeling (and doing it enough can grant some extra money).

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When shopping, I like to consider the following:

What is the age of the person I’m buying for? Gender?
What do they like- clothes, jewelry, toys, decor? Mix?
If clothes, what sizes do they wear?
What are their favorite movies or character/s?
How much are you looking to spend?

These questions make it possible for me to get a good idea on what to pick out.

It’s nothing to be ashamed of if you need help, thinking of others is the best gift. It’s the best time of the year, and sometimes just showing you know someone well enough to answer some (or all) questions really says a lot in itself. Happy Holidays and happy shopping!

Spot

Let’s Talk About Epcot!

Ah Epcot, the “edutainment” park of Disney. Out of all of the parks we visit this is the park my parents love the most (and it’s my second favorite as well). Since it’s grand opening in 1982, Epcot has had many changes but still to this day shows the innovation and integrity that Walt had planned before his death in 1966.

Ranking number twelve for the most visited theme park in the world as of last year, Epcot is revered for its cultural diversity within the World Showcase, fantastic food and it’s scientific aspects shown through Future World. There’s some pretty fun rides located at Epcot as well as more food selections than you could ever imagine, so there is something for everyone!

Park Areas

In Future World’s section, you can explore the scientific and the technological side of our world while keeping it entertaining for all ages. In this section of Epcot you get to seek out thrills on exciting rides like Soarin’ and the Test Track, or learn about how Epcot grows their own food at The Land.

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The World Showcase hosts 11 pavilions where you can shop, eat and explore the many cultures that reside there. You can try different foods and browse shops from countries like USA, Italy, Japan, Morocco, UK, France, Canada, Mexico, Norway, China and Germany. In several countries there are also rides and shows to attend, so you can’t plan spending only a few days at the park and think everything will be done!

What’s great is that Epcot celebrates several annual events throughout the year, which I’ll go over as well.

Annual Events

International Flower and Garden Festival- Disney plants special floral displays and topiary sculptures of Disney characters. They even host beekeepers there as well with honey samples to enjoy, and fellow gardners who can give helpful tips and tricks to boost your plant productivity.

Food & Wine Festival- Celebrate culture by sampling several wines and food from countries all over the world, even ones not a part of the Showcase. Being one of Epcot’s more popular, it also hosts seminars and live music for you to enjoy.

International Festival of the Arts- Brand new to the scene as of 2017, this festival celebrates the three arts: cooking, art and music. If Broadway and Showcase choirs aren’t your things, there’s also professional workshops, visual art galleries and food tastings.

Holidays Around the World- Christmas has never been more magical than at Epcot. With Candlelit Professionals, extended firework shows and storytellers who depict each cultures holiday traditions, this bustling time of year is one to visit at least once in your life.

No matter when you pick to go to Epcot, I always say to plan for at least a week; there is so much to do, tons of different foods to eat and great places to shop! Every time I go, I do have favorites but enjoy spreading my wings and trying new things- Epcot is the perfect place to do so!

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2018 Disney Stocking Stuffers

So I know that Christmas is still 2 months away, however I find that beginning to shop earlier is easier than rushing before the Holidays- I mean seriously I start shopping in July! If you have a Disney fan in your life and are looking for stocking stuffer ideas, look no further. I have 10 stocking stuffer suggestions (along with links) to help get you started out right for the holidays. Please understand these are merely suggestions and I am not being paid to advertise, I just love Disney and their products.

1.Tiny Big Feet Plush Pal

The Big feet plushes are a recent addition to the stuffed animal line where your favorite characters are given larger feet. While they are pretty cute, if you want smaller and more portable friends for your child (or plush collector), look no further than the Tiny Big Feet Pals! Each one is about 3 inches tall, squeezable and really well made. To make it even better, each plush is only $5.95 each and comes in an assortment of characters.

Price: $5.95

Link: https://www.shopdisney.com/disney-tiny-big-feet-plush-collection-1489597

2. Adult Disney and Pixar Holiday Socks

Many people -including myself- usually make a certain face when receiving socks for Christmas (I own over 50 pairs of socks and don’t need more). That gets turned on its head when the socks you’re giving are Disney or Pixar themed socks! There are tons of choices to choose from, and each comes packaged in an ornament. They come in either XS/S or M/L and have a snug fit to them.

Price: $9.95

Link (for Disney themed): https://www.shopdisney.com/disney-holiday-socks-in-ornaments-collection-for-adults-1489295

Link (for Pixar themed): https://www.shopdisney.com/pixar-holiday-socks-in-ornaments-collection-for-adults-1489294

3. Lumiere Light Up Figurine Ornament

While Disney offers many wonderful ornaments for your holiday tree, the Lumiere ornament stands above the rest! 5 inches in height, this well made ornament looks like he just danced out of the movie. He even has his flames light up with a nice flicker effect to add a bit of flair.

Price: $24.99

Link: https://www.shopdisney.com/lumiere-light-up-figural-ornament-beauty-and-the-beast-1399770?request_type=mlt&gre_rt=ChM3NDM1MjQ0NDIzMTAxMjIxMjE0EAIaAklWIg1kZWZhdWx0X21vZGVsKAA

4. Disney Eeyore Womens Fleece Pants

If you have a special girl in your life who needs warm winter sleeping pants, these pants are the best ones! Originally sold at Wal-Mart, these are officially licensed, comfortable to wear and perfect for a comfortable movie night.

Price: $19-$30 depending on size

Link: https://www.amazon.com/Disney-Eeyore-Womens-License-Pajama/dp/B0771TZJGL/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1538765615&sr=8-1&keywords=eeyore+fleece+pants

5. Mickey and Minnie Glass Sketchbook Ornament

This ornament is the perfect gift for a special person in your life. Whether it is for a family member, spouse or significant other, this glass ornament is well crafted and since it isn’t Christmas themed it can be hung out all year round.

Price: $16.95

Link: https://www.shopdisney.com/mickey-and-minnie-mouse-glass-globe-sketchbook-ornament-1479186

6. Star Wars: The Last Jedi Pin Trading Starter Set

If someone you know is going to Disney this year or is looking to begin pin trading and is a Star Wars fan, this is the perfect thing for them! With flashy colors of red and black and four starter pins, your friend or family member is going to have a blast running around trading pins with this lanyard!

Price: $29.99

Link: https://www.shopdisney.com/star-wars-the-last-jedi-pin-trading-starter-set-1448103

7. K-2SO Action Figure

You don’t have to be a child to enjoy owning an action figure, and this one is no exception. Being a fan favorite character from Star Wars: Rogue One, this action figure looks amazing and holds together well during play or being displayed.

Price: $22.95

Link: https://www.shopdisney.com/k-2so-action-figure-star-wars-20-1440072

8. Tsum Tsum Leia Lip Smacker

While all of the Lip Smacker brand has been great, the smell and flavor of Leia- Cinnamon Buns are a great gift for anyone looking to keep their lips smooth during the winter months. While the amount of product isn’t too big, you can always keep the figure afterwards!

Price: $4.95

Link: http://www.lipsmacker.com/shop-by-form/tsum-tsum/tsum-tsum-princess-leia-cinnamon-buns.html

9. Pixar’s Coco Dvd

A fantastic movie recently released theatrically in 2017, Coco is a film that anyone who loves Disney would be excited to own. It comes in normal format, 4K Ultra or Combo; it’s rated PG.

Price: $22.95

Link (can be purchased at Wal-Mart, Amazon, Target or Disney): https://www.shopdisney.com/coco-dvd-1468004

10. Marvel Studios Legacy Ornament- Limited Release

For your Marvel fan, my last favorite pick is this Legacy Ornament. Not only is it limited release which makes it a fantastic collectors item but it is also a nice ornament which can be hung any time of the year in an office or den, showing off your favorite superheroes. Get it while it’s still there!

Price: $19.95

Link: https://www.shopdisney.com/marvel-studios-legacy-sketchbook-ornament-limited-release-1481295