My Favorite Things to Do at Epcot

Hello!

Wednesday I talked about

Spaceship Earth- Probably the most iconic ride, Spaceship Earth is located at the front of the park which makes it the easiest to ride as soon as you enter. It’s slow, air conditioned and methodical, showcasing the ever evolving world of technology through animatronics and dim lighting. This is always the first ride I go on upon entering the park!
Living with the Land- This ride is peaceful and very educational; it takes you through The Land’s home grown fruits, vegetables and fisheries as the rider learns the importance of taking care of and properly using the Earth. This ride is a always a must when you want to take a break from the heat (though wait times may be super long).
Teppan Edo- This restaurant is a MUST GO TO for anyone looking for food at Epcot. Despite all of the choices at the World Showcase, this Hibachi house has many different options for food and has decent pricing despite the fact that there is a show along with your meal. There is never a dull moment here, as my family was sat with another the few times we’ve gone and we left with new friends!
IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth- These are the evening fireworks and fountain work that lasts about 15-16 minutes. The music and lighting effects are gorgeous, bu you need to show up at least a half an hour early to find a good seat. The good news is, while I was on the Boardwalk with my family, we still saw most of the fireworks!
Frozen Ever After- Once known as Maelstrom, the Frozen Ever After ride is located in the Norway Pavilion. After its refurbishment Elsa and Anna took the place of the old theme and while it’s still the same layout, it’s new and popular characters cause this ride to have mega long wait times almost all day.
Mexico Folk Art Gallery- It’s always worthwhile to walk through the Mexico Folk Art Gallery upon entering the Mexico Pavilion. There they display art and cultural information regarding Dia de los Muertos (now inspired by the movie Coco). Walking around this small gallery is a pleasure, as there are so many small and unique details- I just wish there was more to view!
Eating at the Land- The Land is a great, specifically the Sunshine Seasons Food Court. There’s tons to select from, and with the atmosphere and plenty of seating. To top it all of off, the food has a decent price compared to other restaurants in Epcot without requiring a reservation.

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

Disney Pin Trading

Pin Trading is one of the big highlights you get to enjoy when at any of the Disney locations. When visiting the parks, you can trade with any cast member who is sporting a lanyard (they can never say no!) or a cork board filled with them. The trick is to trade what you like if they have it- you don’t need to trade by value (meaning $9.99 pin for $9.99 pin) and you don’t have to trade pins you like.

Some of my pins!

Pin trading is a family friendly activity that anyone can do at any age! It’s a great way to meet people and socialize, as not only can you trade with cast members but other guests as well. While it can get a little expensive, there are thousands of different varieties and options, so you can collect them all or be as specific as you want!

Here are some helpful tips to get you started:

Pins come color coded which mark the prices. Currently they run for $9.99 (green and silver), $12.99 (blue and yellow), $14.99 (pink). Specialty pins, booster packs, mystery pins and limited edition pins may have different pricing which is something to remember!
If you are just starting, it is easier to buy the starter packs which includes a lanyard and four pins. These typically run for $29.99 and have different styles to choose from, so if you like anything from Star Wars to Disney princesses then it’s a great place to begin.
There are great places to trade: Frontierland at Magic Kingdom, Pin Central at Epcot, Fantasy Faire at Magic Kingdom and Big Top Souvenirs are some of the best. They always have pretty good selections and sometimes have limited release ones from parties from time to time so it’s great to keep checking back!
If you don’t feel like showing off your pins on a lanyard, you can use wall space (when not trading), vests, backpacks or even the official Pin Trading book!

Pin Types:

Basic- These are the ones seen throughout each pin store. They are the most common and available for purchase, until they retire.
Limited Edition- Pins that are released for a certain amount of time, usually made for a series.

Limited Release- Pins made in a certain quantity that are available for purchase; get them before they are gone!

Mystery- Usually bagged or in a small box, you never know which one you’ll get!

Event/Commemoration- Rare pins handed out during events like Mickey’s Merry Christmas Celebration, Disney Movie Club VIPs get Commemorative pins or for Annual Passholders who get the the Annual Passholder pins!

Hidden Mickey- Cast member released pins with a small hidden Mickey somewhere on it- these are extremely popular.

Pin trading is tons of fun and can be a great hobby, but there are some things to remember when you begin.

Do:

Be polite. If a cast member or guest is busy or a fellow guest isn’t keep on trading a specific pin, don’t be pushy!
Buy cheaper pins to trade. There is no price system or color system to trade pins with cast members so buying a starter pack or a green color priced pin to trade is a great and more affordable way to start.
Explore! Don’t be afraid to ask around and check for pins in all sorts of places; some places people don’t think to go to for trading and may contain nicer pins.
Figure out where the Trading Posts Stores are. Wherever the stores are that are exclusively for pins, there are bound to be tons of guests and cast members looking to happily trade!
Try to go to events! Events sometimes have rare and exciting pins that are only available for attendees.
If you can buy it and you like it, get it! Some pins are limited edition or limited release and are a little more pricey. These aren’t going to be around too long and can go up in value, so if you like it, get it!

Dont:

Buy from Ebay or Auction sites. This is the biggest no-no in pin trading. Counterfits are most likely and often sold in most online stores, and if some cast members don’t recognize it, they leak into the Disney parks traded around. Other cast members who do recognize them, end up rejecting your trades.
Argue. If someone, be it cast member or guest refuses a trade then don’t argue, be courteous and move on!
Overspend to trade. This goes hand and hand with the “buy cheaper pins to trade”. You don’t need to buy the $12.99 or $14.99 in order to get a hand in the trading world.
Trade a basic pin for special editions. Certain pins are worth a lot now, and if someone is trading one, ask them what they’d like. Offering them a common pin is a little lackluster, and a little etiquette goes a long way!

All in all, pin trading is a great and fun hobby to participate in and is a great way to show off your love for certain characters and movies. I hope you have a lot of fun, and feel free to comment your favorite pins!

Spot

Share Your Ears!

Hi Disney Lovers!

November 4th through the 17th of this year, you can help make wishes of those in need come true.

By posting a photo of yourself decked out in homemade or store bought ears and use #shareyourears on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, Disney will donate $5US to the Make-A-Wish Foundation (up to $2 million).

Disney has been partnering with Make-A-Wish since 1980 and has helped to grant more than 130,000 wishes for children who suffer from life changing illnesses.

Please take a moment to put on your best Mickey and Minnie ears and post to one of the sites listed above; if you would like to do more then please donate to the Make-A-Wish Foundation as well. Any amount helps!

For more information please check out Share Your Ears!

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!

Spot

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

Going to Disney: Medical Needs Edition

Hello fellow Disney lovers!

I spent my weekend of moving, sick. I suffer from a chronic illness that likes to rear its ugly head whenever it feels like it, despite treatment.

While I was in bed resting both days, I kept thinking about my travels to Disney after my diagnosis and how having an illness affected my trips in recent years. It really had affected my enjoyment of the park as there were new situations I had to prepare for, and I didn’t really think of them until -after- I got to the park at how things had changed. So I thought it’d be helpful to post tips on dealing with travelling to Disney while having medical needs.

Check the Guest Services Department for Guests with Disabilities

I know most people don’t need to be told, but the direct website to Disney World has many links and services available for those who have any questions. Not only that, but they have ECVs for rent that is typically $50 to use daily and requires a deposit that is refundable at the end of the day; if that isn’t your style then they also have regular wheelchairs for rent as well for $12 a day. Be sure to check their website for more details, as I’ve heard these things go very fast!

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/guests-with-disabilities/

Know your Limits

The most important thing you need to remember is to know what you are able to do and what you’re unable to do. It would definitely stink to land in the hospital during your visit because you over stepped your boundaries! If you need to take a break, rest up. If you have a specific time you have to eat, plan a visit to a snack line or restaurant a little ahead of time to avoid any unnecessary ill feelings.

Take into Account your Location

I know this one ties in with the “Know your Limits” section, but it is equally important to take into account is the location and its weather. Florida for example ranges in temperature throughout the four seasons; in winter to spring it can be as high as the 70’s with summer going into the 90’s and higher. Not only that, but Florida tends to get rain showers that can either come and go in hours or last days- and don’t get me started on hurricane season! The varying weather can affect you and your mobility and hydration, so be sure to keep an eye out for weather and bring an umbrella!

Locate all Nearby Restrooms

Anyone with children know that knowing where restrooms are is pretty important- the same can be said for those with medical problems. My medical illness causes frequent and urgent visits to the bathroom, so I know how important they are. It is highly important to try to keep track of them for the sake of an emergency!

Prepare for the Trip

Make a checklist of all things you need for the trip and pack them ASAP-anything that can’t be packed until last minute should be placed near your bag so you see it and can pack it right before you leave (it also doesn’t hurt to double and triple check your list). If you have a doctor or specialist who you meet up with, go over any concerns with them. Pack snacks, plenty of fluids and don’t forget your medication!

It also doesn’t hurt to locate all nearby hospitals with their phone numbers, best routes and what insurance is accepted. Trust me, emergencies don’t care where you are so it’s best to be prepared.

Try to Pick Off Seasons

So Disney is pretty busy year round, but there are times you definitely are going to be more comfortable. A definite no-no (from sad experience) is the Holidays like Christmas, 4th of July and Thanksgiving.

The best times to go are February, the first 1-2 weeks of May, mid August till the end of September. November and December can be iffy and are an “at your own risk” due to the main staple holidays taking place. If you go at any of the other times listed above (from my experience) you are usually in less of a crowd and lines are more manageable.

Make Plans, Be Flexible

Last but not least, try to plan out your trip and what you want to do but be flexible about it. Your medical is most likely (like mine) random and sporadic and can throw curve balls at you. Try to enjoy yourself but if you can’t get on all the rides you wanted to or try the foods you wanted, that’s fine- don’t stress about it. Disney is meant to be a wonderful and happy experience; make the most of what you can and make some memories!

Spot