I just returned home from WDW after a four night stay with my mom at the Caribbean Beach Resort, and we had a fantastic time! We got to experience Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival, and the New Fantasyland! While I’m currently in the obligatory depression that follows returning home after each trip, I thought I would share with everyone a short trip report to share the experiences we had and supply a little dose of Disney parks to your day!

We flew down from New York to Orlando on a 6:30am flight Friday morning and had the great luck of landing forty minutes ahead of schedule! We were at Caribbean Beach by 10:00am! To make things even better, our room was ready for us even though it was technically before check-out time. Once we were settled, we headed straight over to Epcot to sample lots of goodies from the Food & Wine Festival in order to avoid visiting over the weekend days and dealing with crowds since it was the very last weekend of the festival. Upon stopping by the Festival Center, we even got a quick surprise- Buddy Valastro the Cake Boss was giving a demo and we got to watch him make cannolis for a few minutes before heading back to the booths.

To give a quick recap, here are the foods we sampled: from the Canada booth we had the “Le Cellier” Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon with Truffle Butter Sauce, the Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup, the Chicken Chipotle Sausage with Sweet Corn Polenta & “Minus 8” Onion Jam, and the Neige Premiere Apple Ice Wine, from the Ireland booth we tried the Kerrygold Cheese Selection, the Guylian Belgian Chocolate Seashell Truffles from the Belgium booth, the Pumpkin Mousse with Ocean Spray Craisins and Orange Sauce from the Hops and Barley booth, the Mezzacorona Pinot Grigio (my favorite white wine for years- so happy they had it!) from the Italy booth, and the Kielbasa and Potato Pierogie with Carmalized Onions and Sour Cream from the Poland booth. Out of everything we ate, my favorite things were the Apple Ice Wine and the Filet Mignon from the Canada booth!

After stuffing ourselves, we wandered Epcot for a while and then headed over to the Magic Kingdom for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. We had a fantastic time at the party and thoroughly enjoyed all of the exclusive activities it offers, but I don’t want to go into any details here as next week’s post will be all about Christmas time at WDW and will include a bunch of information on the party! At the very end of the party, we even got an additional special treat of being allowed to enter into the New Fantasyland! We only had enough time to wander and go on Under the Sea since the park was closing shortly, but it was fantastic! I’ll write a little more detail about it when I get to Tuesday when we were able to explore the area again!

Saturday morning we headed to Hollywood Studios to take advantage of the morning Extra Magic Hours and ride Toy Story Mania (three times!). One of my all time favorite things to do in WDW is visit Muppet Vision 3D, so between that and experiencing a bunch of new scenarios on Star Tours, we had a great morning! Once done in Hollywood Studios, we headed over to the Magic Kingdom to explore the new Big Top Circus area before heading over to the Polynesian for dinner. I personally love this new area as I am a huge fan of classic circus theming and the area captures it just perfectly! I think the biggest shock of the whole area was seeing The Barnstormer with an hour long wait! Haven’t seen that in a long time.

We then headed over to the Kona Café for the first sit down meal of our trip. I decided to be daring and ordered the Lapu Lapu, a $14 cocktail prepared in a pineapple. It was well worth the money as it was delicious and adorable. Our food was fantastic as well, we both ordered the strip steak and had the banana crème brulee for dessert. Sufficiently stuffed and happy, we headed back over to the Magic Kingdom to hit all three mountains before calling it a night.

Sunday morning we headed to Epcot for the morning Extra Magic Hours in order to avoid a long wait for Soarin’. We grabbed FastPasses, waited in the Stand-By line once, ate breakfast in Sunshine Seasons, rode Living with the Land, and then returned with our FastPasses…all within an hour! You’ve got to love those morning Extra Magic Hours! We then hopped a bus over to Saratoga Springs and walked to Downtown Disney. I won’t bore you with the details of our shopping, but as always I spent a little too much money on Disney merchandise (how can you say no?). After a quick stop back at our resort to change, we headed out to the Magic Kingdom to walk around and ended up riding the Railroad and Carousel of Progress.

We made the quick decision to leave the Magic Kingdom a little earlier than planned and try and catch Fantasmic! over at Hollywood Studios, but unfortunately arrived just too late to get into the show. Oh well. This just gave us even more time to enjoy the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights on the Streets of America. Being a huge Christmas person, I was channeling my Clark Griswold and thoroughly soaking in the Christmas atmosphere, music, and incredible lights. I loved searching for the purple cat and countless Hidden Mickeys while wandering through the lights. After about an hour we stopped by Star Tours one more time and caught a bus to the Contemporary Resort to head back to the Magic Kingdom to finish off our night.

Monday morning marked our Extra Magic Hours visit to the Animal Kingdom where we headed straight for Kilimanjaro Safaris. I literally think we were the third car to head out for the day, and we had the absolute best safari we have ever experienced! To start off, the giraffes were roaming across their area, many times blocking the roads so that we had to stop and were within touching distance of them multiple times. In the next area, a Rhino walked directly in front of our vehicle, again stopping us right next to him for a few moments. We then saw one of the cheetahs actually walking through their exhibit, before we had only ever seen them sleeping. Perhaps the best part of the safari though came when we reached the lion’s habitat. Two female lions were wrestling and playing in plain view, and the male lion was perched sitting up on a prominent rock right in the line of view from the safari vehicle! We have amazing pictures and memories from this safari, enough that as we got off we hopped right back on line to experience it again!

After our awesome safari morning, we wandered through Asia, visited with the Yeti, and I finally saw the Finding Nemo Musical! It was amazing, and I am sorry that I never took the time to go see it before this trip. After a quick stop at Dinosaur we were off to our room to relax a bit before heading to Epcot for the night.

We arrived at Epcot just in time for our dinner reservation at Coral Reef, and were even able to obtain a table seated right up against the tank windows! We had an amazing view including one very active sting ray that enjoyed circling right next to us the whole meal. Once again we both ordered the steak and indulged in the Chocolate Wave for dessert. After dinner we were wandering Future World when I heard a familiar sound…there were cars running on the track of Test Track! While they weren’t going full speed, it’s great to see that the ride is in testing phase since its set to open so soon. I love Test Track, and I can’t wait to see what the new version will be like. We then worked our way around World Showcase and ended up right by the cranberry bog to watch Illuminations. With this being the very last night of the Food & Wine Festival, World Showcase was a little crazy, but we enjoyed ourselves nonetheless. The one thing I am upset that I didn’t get to try was the lamb chop from the Australia booth, but I was way too stuffed from dinner at the Coral Reef to eat a whole lamb chop…there’s always next year!

Tuesday morning brought our last day at WDW and of course we devoted it to the Magic Kingdom as is our tradition. We arrived at 8am for the opening and it was literally empty. As we walked down Main Street and through the castle, there were barely any people around. We walked onto pretty much every Fantasyland ride and then saw that they were letting people into New Fantasyland again! We headed in and went straight for Enchanted Tales with Belle where I was chosen to play the part of the wardrobe in the show! While the experience is definitely aimed more towards young children, it was still a lot of fun for the adults. The mirror in Maurice’s workshop is absolutely stunning as are the animatronics of the Wardrobe and Lumiere. We then explored Belle’s village and Be Our Guest restaurant which is stunning inside. We once again rode Under the Sea and while some people are complaining that it’s just a copy of the same attraction in California, we both enjoyed it as it brings a breath of fresh air to the Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland. My favorite part was where you are meant to be submerging under water, and it really does feel like you are actually diving down to where Ariel lives. Stay tuned for an upcoming post all about New Fantasyland with lots of pictures!

Once we had explored all of New Fantasyland we started a loop of the park hitting all of our favorite attractions once last time. A highlight of the trip was my mom somehow scoring 999999 on Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. We ended our trip with one last spin on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority and one last viewing of Carousel of Progress and sadly headed back to the resort to catch our Magical Express bus.

We had an amazing trip complete with great experiences, perfect weather, and low crowds. While I’m sad to be home, I expect the feeling won’t last too long as we were already planning our next potential trip in April for the Flower and Garden Festival by the time we boarded our plane. As Mickey says, see ya real soon!!

Any comments or questions on my recent visit to WDW? Let me know in the comments below, I would love to hear from you!

Caitlin Corsello was born and raised in New York. She graduated from Adelphi University with a Masters in Mental Health Counseling in 2012. Her love for Disney started as an infant and has continued to grow with family vacations to Disney parks almost every year since. She holds a particular interest in WDW’s parks and attractions, never passing up an opportunity to visit. She looks forward to continuing to explore and learn about all things Disney and to share that passion with readers.

The post Disney from a Twenty-Something: I Just Got Back from Disney!! appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

While any time of day is magical in the Magic Kingdom, my favorite time is after the sun sets and the beautiful lights come on throughout the park. From the classic white lights lining the buildings of Main Street to the eerie lighting on the Haunted Mansion, nighttime in the Magic Kingdom offers special sights, sounds, and experiences. Once the sun sets, there are several activities exclusive to the Magic Kingdom that everyone should experience at least once. From parades to fireworks to a pageant, there is something for everyone to enjoy!

The first event that occurs at night is the Main Street Electrical Parade. Featuring whimsical floats created with hundreds of thousands of LED lights, this parade lights up the night as it travels from Frontierland through the hub and down Main Street. In 2010, the parade returned, replacing Spectromagic, and debuting brand new floats to further enhance the experience. Tinkerbell now opens the parade spreading pixie dust along the way. Once the lights dim on Main Street you will also be able to see characters such as Cinderella in her pumpkin coach, Peter Pan on Hook’s pirate ship, and the seven dwarfs hard at work. My personal favorite float is based on the classic Disney film Pete’s Dragon and features Pete and Elliot who continually disappears along the parade route. Ending in a patriotic finale, the Main Street Electrical Parade is a true classic in the Magic Kingdom and shouldn’t be missed. While some of the best viewing spots are on Main Street, they can be hard to come by in the more crowded months. So I recommend either scoping out a seat along the curb at least an hour before the parade begins, or opting for alternate viewing spots. Some other great places to watch the parade are from the train station balcony on the end of Main Street and along the Rivers of America in Frontierland.

If you enjoy excitement in the sky, then make sure to view Wishes, an extraordinary fireworks show high above Cinderella Castle. Narrated by Jiminy Cricket, Wishes takes you through the beauty of having and making wishes as well as sharing the wishes of classic Disney characters such as Ariel, Peter Pan, and Pinocchio. Along the way, you may encounter some villains, but remember, “always let your conscience be your guide.” All of this is set to a gorgeous soundtrack featuring Disney classics and Wishes’ own signature song. Be sure to look for Tinkerbell flying above sprinkling her pixie dust to begin the show! She flies from Cinderella Castle in the direction of Tomorrowland. While you can see the fireworks and hear the soundtrack almost everywhere in the park, I recommend viewing it on Main Street as you will have a direct view of Cinderella Castle with the fireworks high above. Other unique places to watch it are the beach of the Polynesian and the California Grill on the top floor of the Contemporary Resort. Another great place I have viewed Wishes from is Splash Mountain, imagine coming down the drop with those beautiful fireworks in the background!

Perhaps the most magical nighttime occurrence in the Magic Kingdom is the Kiss Goodnight. Usually occurring thirty minutes after park closing, the Kiss Goodnight features special lighting on Cinderella Castle, a heartfelt goodnight to all guests, and a clip from “When You Wish upon a Star.” While you can hear the Goodnight Kiss from all over the Magic Kingdom, I recommend watching it from in front of Cinderella Castle, that way you get to experience the special lighting. To me, this presentation embodies the spirit of the Magic Kingdom. It features beautiful music, the ideal of Walt Disney, and a truly heartfelt goodbye to all guests at the end of the day. This is a must see for anyone who is a Disney fan.

The final nighttime experience I will mention does not necessarily take place in the Magic Kingdom, but rather right outside it. Upon exiting the park, head down to the water front for a special treat many do not know about. Gliding across Seven Seas Lagoon every night, the Electrical Water Pageant has been treating guests to one last show upon exiting the Magic Kingdom since 1971. Featuring numerous nautical themed floats and accompanied by classic Disney music, the Electrical Water Pageant is beautiful to watch and should be enjoyed at least once! Some of the current floats in the pageant include the crocodile from Peter Pan, sea horses from The Little Mermaid, and a giant turtle. At the end of the parade, all of the floats become lit in patriotic red, white, and blue and glide along to a patriotic soundtrack. While my favorite viewing spot for the parade is from the water along the main gates of the Magic Kingdom, it can be seen from virtually anywhere along the shores of Seven Seas Lagoon.

Nighttime in the Magic Kingdom is truly a magical time where wishes, dreams, and goodnight kisses are brought to life through beautifully lit floats, special lighting, and fireworks high above Cinderella Castle. It also offers a great time to simply wander and explore the Magic Kingdom and enjoy the ambiance created by the special lighting in each land. This will always be my favorite time of day in the Magic Kingdom as it will always feel the most magical to me.

What are your favorite things to do after dark in the Magic Kingdom? Let me know in the comments below, I would love to hear from you!

Caitlin Corsello was born and raised in New York. She graduated from Adelphi University with a Masters in Mental Health Counseling in 2012. Her love for Disney started as an infant and has continued to grow with family vacations to Disney parks almost every year since. She holds a particular interest in WDW’s parks and attractions, never passing up an opportunity to visit. She looks forward to continuing to explore and learn about all things Disney and to share that passion with readers.

The post Disney from a Twenty-Something: Nighttime in the Magic Kingdom appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

Depending on who you are traveling with, you can experience numerous different things throughout Disney World that can cater to your party type. In the past, I’ve traveled with my family, when I was single, as well as with my boyfriend and have found that each time I experienced something new which enhanced my trip. So in this post, I would like to share my ideas of what the best activities and experiences are for each party type so that no matter who you are traveling with you can have the most amazing time in Walt Disney World! As with everything in Disney from a Twenty-Something, most of the following activities are either included in your vacation price or have minimal to no cost to enjoy!

Singles

For those traveling in a group of friends, I recommend taking a fun approach to your vacation at Walt Disney World. Take as much time as possible to explore the numerous offerings Disney has to offer, especially the nightlife.

• If you are staying on property, utilize the Extra Magic Hours each day. One park will be open an hour early, and another park will be open up to three hours late. The nighttime Extra Magic Hours offer an opportunity to experience shorter wait times and smaller crowds. Plus, being in the parks late at night just makes the whole experience that much more exciting!
• Another fun activity to do with a group of friends would be to Drink Around the World in Epcot. This involves sampling drinks from all eleven of the countries in the World Showcase. (I’m going to dedicate an entire post to this topic in the next few weeks, so stayed tuned for my tips exclusively for that!)
• Exploring Downtown Disney is a great opportunity to engage in Disney’s nightlife as there are numerous places offering unique drinks, fun crowds, and live music. I recommend stopping by the House of Blues and Raglan Road Irish Pub.
• Another great way to check out the nightlife is through exploring the surrounding area of the Boardwalk Resort. I highly recommend stopping by Jellyrolls, a dueling piano bar where the crowd has great energy and interaction with the entertainment.
• For those traveling with friends, I would also suggest visiting the resort pools later at night after most of the families with young children have gone to bed. This offers the opportunity to have a little more room as well as quiet while enjoying a late night swim.

Couples

Disney World has no shortage on romantic activities for couples to engage in ranging from dining experiences to quiet moments exploring together.

• Nothing is more romantic than watching fireworks together, and one of the best places to do so is from the beach at the Polynesian Resort. Located directly across Seven Seas Lagoon from the Magic Kingdom, this spot offers fantastic views of the fireworks in a serene and romantic location.
• Another wonderful location to watch the fireworks from is the California Grill on the top floor of the Contemporary Resort. If you make your dining reservations far enough in advance, you can have the opportunity to be seated along a set of large glass windows offering sweeping views of the Magic Kingdom and Wishes. However, the California Grill can be pricy, which leads me to my next tip for couples…
• Consider splurging on a romantic meal. Disney offers from very romantic places to dine ranging from relatively inexpensive to very expensive (Victoria & Albert’s at the Grand Floridian Resort). Find something that fits into your budget, and treat yourselves to a romantic dinner you won’t soon forget.
• Strolling through the countries of the World Showcase can also be very romantic as it offers you the unique chance to explore far away regions without even leaving Epcot. Enjoy the ambiance, soak in the culture, and enjoy the experience together.
• As I recommended for singles, couples seeking a quieter time to both visit the parks and swim should do so at night, when crowds are smaller.

Families

For those traveling with families, Disney World offers some amazing experiences to make your vacation extra special- no matter the size of your party!

• Look into whether your party is large enough to have a Magic Gathering! If your party has eight or more members, your family can take part in Disney’s equivalent of a family reunion. You will also have special opportunities to experiences exclusively for Magic Gatherings such as character breakfasts at Tony’s Town Square in the Magic Kingdom. Be sure to mention any special events or occasions you may be celebrating when booking your vacation!
• Another great activity for families to experience together is a character breakfast. Depending on which characters your family would like to meet, there are many options to choose from. Character breakfasts are also great not only for children, but adults as well as everyone gets in on the action when the characters arrive at your table! My favorite character breakfast is located at Chef Mickey’s in the Contemporary Resort, it’s definitely worth experiencing at least once!
• If your family is celebrating a special event such as a birthday or anniversary, be sure to stop in at Town Hall on Main Street and pick up a free pin announcing your celebration. While wearing one of the pins, don’t be surprised if Cast Members and guests alike congratulate you or wish you a happy birthday! You never know what special things may result from your celebration!
• Finally, a great way to make a family trip even more special is to get creative before leaving home. On my last family vacation, my mom made matching shirts for all eleven of us announcing our family vacation and featuring our individual names on the back. We had numerous people approach us and ask about the shirts, and it made our visit that much more special. So get creative!

Those are my tips for some amazing opportunities to experience in WDW no matter who you are traveling with. Of course, there are many more to experience, so I recommend exploring everything in the parks and on property, you never know what you may encounter to make your vacation special!

Do you have certain activities that you like to enjoy depending on who you are traveling with? Let me know in the comments below, I would love to hear from you!

Caitlin Corsello was born and raised in New York. She graduated from Adelphi University with a Masters in Mental Health Counseling in 2012. Her love for Disney started as an infant and has continued to grow with family vacations to Disney parks almost every year since. She holds a particular interest in WDW’s parks and attractions, never passing up an opportunity to visit. She looks forward to continuing to explore and learn about all things Disney and to share that passion with readers.

The post Disney from a Twenty-Something: Traveling to Disney with Singles, as a Couple, or with Family appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.