Mickey waffles for breakfast.
Everything is better when it’s Mickey shaped! When faced with a plethora of breakfast options in the morning, if there is a Mickey waffle option usually this is the one that wins out. There’s just something about starting your day with a Mickey themed breakfast that just seems appropriate!
Main Street USA at night.
All Disney fans have their personal preference for when they find the parks to be the most magical. For me, Main Street USA is meant to be seen in all it’s glory at night, when the lights are all ablaze and the shop windows are all backlit, throwing their displays into a sort of spotlight. I love seeing the sugar seeking customers stroll into the ice cream parlor, and the caffeine lovers step into the coffee shop. Anything to make sure you make it through those last extra magic hours! I love hearing the music playing along the street – even the music holds more magic for me at night even though it’s the same loop as during the day!
Giraffes while on safari.
While going on safari in the Harambe Wildlife Preserve one of my favorite parts is seeing the giraffes out on the savannah. It’s so fascinating to see them interact with one another, and to see them glance at our rumbling trucks with passing curiosity. While I’ve seen giraffes within the confines of pens at zoos, there is something so amazing in watching them roam a landscape skillfully created to mimic their indigenous home. It always frustrates me when people are dismissive of Animal Kingdom on the whole, because I feel like experiences like this can be so beautiful if properly appreciated.
RunDisney announced on their blog today that they have created a new running challenge combining any Wakt Disney World Marathon weekend race with the Castaway Cay 5k. It appears that it has to be a Castaway Cay 5k on the January 12th sailing of the Dream. If you complete both races you will earn a coveted inaugural finisher medal. Along with registration each runner will receive a 5k finisher medal along with a T-shirt. Registration for the Inaugural Disney Castaway Cay Challenge opens on Friday, May 23rd!
Who’s in? I feel like this one may be a hard sell. While the inaugural medal is tempting, it seems like most runners at Disney events are trying to find ways to offset travel expenses. Some runners do still treat the weekend as a chance to have a family vacation, but in my experience the high registration and lodging costs have runners these days trying to keep expenses at a minimum. Is the inaugural medal enough to get runners to book a cruise around? I’m not so sure… It will be interesting to see how this one plays out once registration open!
Photo from runDisney Blog
My very first Mickey Monitor!!
So I finally took the plunge and purchased an annual pass this year. I have to admit, I’m not really able to take advantage of the various discounts that come with an annual pass, however I was pretty excited when this showed up in my mailbox the other day! It has some pretty interesting articles – talking about Festival of Fantasy and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Coaster. But what I enjoyed the most is the artwork! I love that this is an added bonus for annual passholders, and it definitely put a smile on my face to see a little bit of Disney magic waiting for me at home!
The Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights
Again, this is another one I only just came across and I’m so glad I did!! I had of course heard about this Disney holiday favorite but I guess I never understood the magnitude if this special night time event! I stood in awe watching the lights dancing along to the music and slowly made my way down the Streets of America trying to take it all in. If you haven’t had a chance to witness this in person I highly recommend putting this on your todo list the next time you are on Disney property during the holiday season!! I even loved the little snowfall that follows! And I’m from New England where I get more than enough of the real thing!
The gardens in the UK pavilion.
I was able to visit England a few years ago and one of my favorite things while traveling there was the beautiful gardens. The UK pavilion gardens may not have the grandeur of the gardens over in the Canada pavilion, but it’s the quaintness and the simplicity of these gardens that make them so charming. I love just meandering around the paths in the back until they lead you back into the hustle and bustle of World Showcase. Makes me wish I had a green thumb!
Tonga toast at Kona Cafe!
I tried this for the first time during our Wine and Dine trip last November, and since my siblings and friends put me in charge of planning everything, I booked a Kona breakfast specifically for this fan favorite! And I have to say it did not disappoint! How can you go wrong with French toast and cinnamon and sugar and bananas all rolled into one?? Pair it with some Kona coffee and you’re off to a great start for the day!
I think every Disney fan is aware of the awesomeness that is Stacey’s Top 7 Must Do’s, which is played on a constant loop on her own designated channel on Disney Resort TV. But it got me to thinking about the attractions around the property that I constantly just walk past. I mean, there isn’t anything at Disney I dislike so much I would NEVER try again, but some attractions just don’t hold my attention. And I would rather spend that time zipping around Space Mountain again, getting drenched on a trip to the briar patch with Splash Mountain, or experiencing the wildest ride in the wilderness on Big Thunder Mountain.
Triple mountain whammy anyone??
Wham! Wham! Wham!
But here are the attractions that are the ones that I most skip over on my trips to the World. (In no particular order…)
1. Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
Just not my thing. I get how this can be a great family attraction that parents can enjoy with young children, but I find the handful of times I have stepped in this comedy club I’ve just found myself anxious for it to end and to move along.
2. Tomorrowland Speedway
I almost feel like a traitor putting this on the list because I know it’s a classic, and it’s one of my mom’s favorites because of memories she has with her family when she was a kid, but I think I’ve only ever been on this once. Maybe I need to give it a try next time around, but I always feels like the line is just too long for what the attraction is.
3. Stitch’s Great Escape
I did go on this my last trip, but it had been a really long time as I usually just walk by this one. My mom and I made an escape when everyone else would rather sleep than spend the wee hours of the morning in the Magic Kingdom, and she had never been on it before. She wasn’t a fan of Alien Encounter and I was, so I thought it would be interesting to hear an unbiased opinion. She thought it was cute but it wasn’t something she felt she needed to do again.
4. The Country Bear Jamboree
Again, I feel like a traitor putting this on the list because it’s a Disney classic, but I can’t even remember the last time I went to see the show. I don’t know. The bears kind of creep me out. But maybe I should give it another chance because it seems like so many other people enjoy this one.
5. It’s Tough to be a Bug
I don’t like bugs. The film part is fine and cute and the message is good, but the spiders and bee sting made the first time more than enough for me. I have gone back sporadically when other people in my group wanted to check it out, but I’ve also gotten wiser and don’t sit with my back against the seat. It’s just not my thing. But I do love the queue area where you can get a closer look at the Tree of Life.
6. Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
This was really fun, the first 20 times I saw it. The problem is that nothing has changed since day one, at least not anything notable. So this has become an attraction I’ve started to walk past. I’m guessing it’s still popular with non-repeat guests because I believe the seats fill decently, but personally I’m ready for a change. It doesn’t even have to be a different franchise, but maybe change up the scenes. Or change the great reveal of the hidden stuntman in the audience. Something!
7. The American Idol Experience
I’ve seen this exactly one time when it first opened and that was enough. I was honestly surprised when this first came to the Studios because the show was already waning in popularity. It already seemed like only a matter of time before this show became irrelevant, much like Who Wants to be a Millionaire. Since the contestants come from that day’s park guests the talent is mostly unreliable. And the judges obviously can’t be as impartial and direct as they are on the show – this is Disney after all – and it can be a little painful listening to them come up with their Disney appropriate comments. Personally, I can’t wait to see this one replaced. And this may be the one attraction at Disney I would rather sit out.
What would make your list of Must Skips? What on my list do you think I should give another chance?
Signing up for runDisney races!!
I am officially signed up for the 2015 marathon!! Oh boy, what am I getting into?? Currently, it will be my first full marathon and I should have five or six half marathons under my belt at this point. But it’s still really scary! And really exciting! I love that Disney is beginner runner friendly and that they make their races such great events. It’s more than the miles you run, it’s about the experiences along the way!
the imagination code 