Dealing with Disney

The Let the Magic Begin Show! Opening show of Magic Kingdom It starts 5 minutes before the park itself officially opens. What does this mean? For example, on my recent trip. The park officially opened at 9am. We arrived and in the parks at 8:15am (through bag check and ticket/band scanners). The show started at 8:55am. It only lasts 5 minutes. Right at the end of the show, the ropes drop! We were not the first either. The park layout into each land is like a wagon wheel. Main street leads you to the center and the different lands are branched out like spokes on the wheel. The entrance to each land is roped off. This is what is meant by being there at 'rope drop'. When the park officially opens, the cast-members will lead the way for guests into each land by slowly walking with the rope or just pulling the rope over for entry. when you arrive prior to official opening hours, you can take advantage of picture opportunities with Photo Pass crew, shop,...

The very easily overlooked The Plaza Restaurant available at Magic Kingdom right off the back end of Main Street USA is something one should consider! This is a small table service dining location. No frills or thrills to it but restful and enjoyable options. They have mostly typical 'American' cuisine. You can be served a nice larger portion meal entree that is only a little above a quick service meal. There is something to be said about taking advantage of resting during a park touring day! We ate here during a non-planned Magic Kingdom day. We did have two fast passes selected but just played out our day as we went along! Very relaxing to us and we were able to pretty much do what we wanted. We did miss Haunted Mansion and 7 dwarf Mine train but we were okay with that. It was also only a half day spent there. That morning we wanted to get to the park very early for rope drop and see the morning show. This meant we went without breakfast in favor of getting up a little...

I was able to partake in Dapper Day at Magic Kingdom of Disney World! I LOVED IT! Now, we did have a ton of people asking, 'why are you dressed up, is there something going on?'. So, let me do my best to explain what Dapper Day is! Twice a year, people come together on a pre-arranged day to dress up and parade their finest Sunday outfits at Disney. Most era inspired outfits are around the 40-50's years but I have also seen flappers which are ADORABLE! It is hard to go wrong in your attire. They hold these Dapper Days one weekend in the Spring and one in the Fall. The Fall is much easier since NOT so hot. Spring can get quite toasty depending on the outfit of choice. Most outfits worn also are Disney inspired from Haunted Mansion, Mickey Mouse, Peter Pan and all kinds of others. Some are just snazzy outfits without a theme. I did wear heels which did end up killing my tootsies. I broke my cardinal rule, do NOT wear new shoes on a park day. Many girls did wear he...

Disney's Hollywood Studios Brown Derby restaurant review I recently was able to enjoy The Brown Derby at Hollywood Studios and it did NOT disappoint! It was a little a little more upscale in setting and cuisine which is a nice change from some of the other restaurant selections. It provided a more relaxed feel, less smaller children presence, a higher end expectation(which was received), relaxed ambiance and great food. Menu options are limited as typical for this style dining. It was fine for me since I knew exactly what I wanted, steak!  As far as Dining Plan worth: It does require 2 dining credits. I do NOT feel this is a valid use of dining credits. I would suggest paying out of pocket unless you have the points to use and it's a must do with keeping your original point budget. If booking with the Fantasmic dining package, you are much closer to getting your dining credits out of it as well if you are enjoying a spirited drink under the plan. Our Food Choices: ...

Stitch Hunt This is a free fun offering. Hunt for Stitch among designated stores of Disney Springs. Pick the booklet up at the following locations and when complete, take back to a location listed inside the booklet.   Christmas Tree Trail & Amorette's are two of the locations to pick up the booklet Stitch is typically hiding somewhere in the rafters of each store location. It is a flat colored image of stitching, he is holding an object. You have to match the object (sticker in book) to the store found in(pages in book). Now, it is cute to occupy your little one while you are shopping around . It is also pretty easy to complete without finding him in each location. The item relates to the store. Ex: in the Basin store he is holding a duck. Typical match of bath to a rubber duck. Now is this worth the time for the payoff? No, not really.  It is cute, It is free. That is about it. Could it have been better, definitely. You recei...