Disney Recap: All Four Disney World Parks
Listen ladies, a Latte on Main Street, USA Hits Different... Pixie Dust Instead of Cinnamon...
Our overall favorite experiences from our trip were: Guardians of Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind thrill ride at Epcot (yes, our five year old loved it), The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Magic Kingdom, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Hollywood Studios and Kilimanjaro Safaris at Animal Kingdom....Keep reading for Levi’s favorite Beer at Epcot, Kennedy’s favorite Princesses, Why Courtney cried within 10 minutes at the Magic Kingdom... and of course all of the magical fashion details babe...
One thing about a Disney vacation is their gluten free and allergy friendly options are curated with care and intention, certainly making me feel comfortable. Remy from Ratatouille is on it... The only time I messed up the entire trip was with a beer in Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios, totally my fault. I normally don’t drink beer so I completely forgot that it has gluten.
Our Favorite Rides, Experiences and Meals by Park StoryBook Dining at Artist Point with Snow White at The Wilderness Lodge.
We started our Disney experience with a character meal the evening before we visited any of the parks. I dressed Kennedy and I both as Snow White without Levi noticing, ha! It absolutely did not disappoint! The food was great; however, the spotlight goes to The Evil Queen with cameos by Snow White, Grumpy and Dopey. I don’t make the rules ya’ll, this is the Queen’s stage.
PS: Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is our favorite Disney Resort. Check it out and you’ll see their fabulous resort pool, onsite mini grocery store and mini suites with kitchenette options-save yourselves a few hundred dollars by enjoying in room homemade breakfasts. Not to mention you’ll enjoy the Wyoming Yellowstone vibe....
You’ll see my Snow White, Aurora & Jedi Rey Looks
Epcot Day:
*Levi’s Favorite Beer at Epcot: La Fin Du Monde in Canada and Einstok in Norway*
Character Meal: Breakfast at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall: BEST CHARACTER MEAL of our trip... we think because of how many Princesses we met at one experience. A great bang for your buck, we met Ariel, Aurora, Belle, Snow White and Tiana. Kennedy’s Favorite Princess was Tiana from Princess & the Frog! Princess Tiana spoke in a perfect New Orleans accent citing having been busy making beignets and that Prince Naveen was busy managing their restaurant, Tiana’s Place. She got down on my-occasionally- shy daughter’s level and connected with her over their shared love of the film. It really was so sweet.
Anna and Elsa at Royal Sommerhus
Frozen Ever After
Mexico: Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros (twice)
Choza de Margarita: Ordered the Conga for Kennedy (Mexican Fruit Punch made from Orange, Pineapple and Lemon Juice), the Mango Loco Frozen Margarita for me and Top Shelf Clasica for Levi...Kennedy (my real life Disney Princess gave hers to a Disney duck in about two seconds... she said they looked more thirsty than she was)...
The Seas with Nemo & Friends
Soarin’
Lunch in Canada: Le Cellier Steakhouse *Fancy and so delicious.
Character interactions: Pluto & Pooh
Test Track
Guardians of Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind : Absolutely amazing. As me and my fellow swifties say “Screaming. Crying. Throwing up. Punch me in the face” - then get in line and go again. Currently, you still have to enter the virtual queue to reserve a spot to wait in line for this ride. Virtual queue slots open up at 7am and 1pm and can fill up within seconds so have your phone ready with that Southwest flight check-in energy. The ride is a jam, truly. Our ride was set to the tune of “Disco Inferno”... Each ride is designed with six different soundtrack options to accompany the thrill ride and the jam isn’t revealed until blast off...below are the song options... all recognizable classics on their own and from Starlord’s mixtape...
“Disco Inferno” by The Tammps
“Conga” by Gloria Estefan
“One Way or Another” by Blondie
“September” by Earth, Wind & Fire
“Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears
“I Ran” by Flock of Seagulls
Magic Kingdom Day:
Silhouettes Portraits Cart: Our first stop of the day-the artist created a piece to honor our beloved chocolate labrador, Wyatt who went to Heaven earlier this year after having been a member of our family for almost 13 years. Cue the tears. Honestly, we were unexpectedly emotional at how special the small gesture commemorated our Wyatt. She also created an adorable silhouette of Kennedy. Both will be treasured pieces of art in our home.
Disney Secret #1 learned while at the Magic Kingdom Silhouette Cart on Main Street, USA... Kennedy dropped a bag of candy on the street while she was sitting for her silhouette... the artist jokingly told me to simply put the dropped candies back in Kennedy’s bag...then elaborated that the streets of Disney World are power washed every single night. She said we were among her first visitors of the day and she believed the street to be truly clean enough to eat off of. Mind blown.
Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train
It’s A Small World
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Prince Charming Royal Carousel
Meet Princess Tiana & Rapunzel at Fairytale Hall
Meet Ariel at Her Grotto *no a/c in line so we bailed
Mickey’s PhilharMagic *perfect reprieve from a quick rain shower
Peter Pan’s Flight
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique I may have been living out my own childhood dreams, but this was just precious. Kennedy got two visits from her “Fairy Godmother”, new princess threads, a full glam team and goodies to go. It was about a $260 magical moment (yes, I know woof)... Packages start at $99 to $320ish-we planned for the middle option which worked great. Kennedy chose a Princess Belle dress & Isabella from Encanto inspired hair. We rolled with it. The dress stayed on about an hour before she was dying of heat. (It’s pricey-best to be prepared to give a kidney).
Haunted Mansion I actually do not recommend for a five year old. She loved it, but I felt it was too spooky for my little girl and spent most of the ride trying to cover her eyes. Dapper Dans Just a Main Street USA delight- they don’t get enough love.
Fireworks Dessert Parties: Post-Party: Happily Ever After fireworks extravaganza.
We enjoyed the fireworks from a reserved garden space, stayed after the fireworks (which brought Levi and I both to tears thanks to Phil Collins’ “You’ll be In my Heart” and the Hercules “Go the Distance”) to enjoy desserts and drinks on the Tomorrowland Terrace. A fun bonus after a magical day.
Hollywood Studios Day
Met Disney Junior Stars: Vampirina & Fancy Nancy
Character Meal: Hollywood & Vine Food is buffet style 3/10; however, Minnie, Mickey, Goofy were all there in style with time to chat. We met Daisy just outside of the diner.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
We were completely blown away in this immersive experience. Kennedy asked the crew from the “First Order” what it was like... black lipstick and dark chocolate was their response, Kennedy was in. Me too.
Millenium Falcon: Smuggler's Run Engineer Kennedy reported for duty
Meet Olaf at Celebrity Spotlight *justice for Olaf, his setup could use some love.
Vacation Fun - An Original Animated Short with Mickey & Minnie *perfect reprieve from the heat. Also, Kennedy lost her two bottom teeth literally while we were walking in...
*Disney Secret #2 If you’re staying at a Disney resort and your kiddo loses a tooth, let the resort staff know and Tinkerbell will stand in for the Tooth Fairy!
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Toy Story Mania
Back to the hotel for a swim! I Absolutely recommend a swim between parks, your body needs a float y'all.
Literally, I had a blast doing handstands in the hotel pool with my wild girly.
Animal Kingdom Day
Kilimanjaro Safaris *a favorite from the trip! My animal loving girl was pumped.
Rafiki Island Animation Experience *perfect reprieve from the heat and honestly so fun!
It’s Tough to Be a Bug! *Skippable, eek sorry Flik.
Wine & Beer outside Tusker House in Harambe, Africa *not skippable, eek sorry Mom.
It was so hot while we were at Disney’s Animal Kingdom...I believe my eyebrows, eyelashes and acrylic nails literally melted off. We planned this trip to celebrate Kennedy heading back to school in the fall and she had an amazing time....
“ I guess some people are worth melting for”
- Olaf, Disney’s Frozen
Silly Things We Bought...
The dang Mickey Bubble Machine, a Baby Groot Toy, The Disney Misting Fan and TWO Disney signature books *one Disney & one specific to Princesses with associated matching pens ...the final two are the only not regrettable purchases. Heed our warning-the merch is fabulous and everywhere. I suggest advising the cuties that they pick one thing for the entire trip so they are really thoughtful of their choice.
Final Tips...
Shoes must be good walking shoes. Zero exceptions.
One park per day worked well for us. Don’t go in August...it’s hotter than Hades. You will require lots of water, frequent shade breaks and a Hercules at the ready to carry...everything. Asking Characters specific questions about their films makes for good conversations. I regret I didn’t find a Christmas ornament. Transportation to parks and between attractions takes longer than you’ve planned. Keep snacks close. Use the (cool and dark) short film theaters for resets. Don’t wait in enclosed lines without a/c– looking at you Ariel. The popcorn in Canada is amazing. Disney Bounding* A subtle fashion nod to a character is so fun. Compliment freely, you never know what path fellow Disney lovers are on in their own stories ...
