Adult WDW – A Dole Whip With A “Twist”

The 2013 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival is in full swing, and in addition to the tons of beautiful topiaries, celebrity appearances, and live concerts – there are also some deliciously unique fresh food offerings, like BBQ meat and craft beer pairings, Mexican tapas, and much more, including this beauty:

The Rum Spiced Dole Whip

So they take the traditional Dole Whip and add some delicious Siesta Key Spiced Rum for a delicious adults-only treat!

Head over to the Pineapple Promenade booth for this and other delicious treats – like pineapple upside down cake, and a non alcoholic version of the Dole Whip is available here too

And what could be more perfect than enjoying a delicious frozen Dole Whip with Rum while walking around Epcot and taking in all the sights and sounds?

 

T.G.I.F. Pic Of The Week – Showing Some Disney Love

Yesterday was one of my favorite days of the year - Valentine’s Day, and I know many (ok, most) people don’t like it, or think its stupid or just a “Hallmark Holiday”, and they are right, to some extent ha, but to me, the day is about a chance to show your love in a new, different way, or to take a change and confess your love to someone new. Plus I like red and pink and hearts, so that helps too!

For those of you who were lucky enough to celenrate this day of love at WDW, I hope you were able to check out their “Celebration Of True Love” at the Magic Kingdom Park, where couples were able to renew and reaffirm their love for each other at Cinderella’s Castle! This was a part of “True Love Week”, which is a part of the year long WDW’s Limited Time Magic celebration that continues on all throughout 2013!

Oh, and while you’re in Disney World, don’t forget to sample some delicious Valentine’s Treats!

Another part of the “Limited Time Magic” campaign is the transformation of Cinderella’s Castle in Disney World and It’s A Small World in Disneyland Park – during the nightly “The Magic, The Memories, and You!” show, these are turned into beautiful red and pink displays, perfect for Valentine’s Day lovers on both coasts!

…If you happen to be in the doghouse because you forgot about V-Day, I recommend you check out the Disney Store’s selection of Valentine’s Gifts….better late than never right?

TGIF

Change Of Plans – Are We Nuts?

   

My husband and I had been planning to head back to Walt Disney World in September, where we would get to see all the fall decor, enjoy the emptiness of the Parks (what with most kids having gone back to school that month), and attend Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.

Needless to say – we were pumped. But then….the holidays happened. And they were stressful, as they tend to be when you’re an adult.

What happened to Christmas and Thanksgiving where all we had to do was show up, maybe bring a pie, and just enjoy the time together as a family? Well…let’s see…owning a home, having dogs, hosting holidays, having houseguests, roasting turkey, shopping, buying and wrapping presents, putting up the tree….etc, etc….that all happened. HARD. As much as you can plan, prepare, and do things in advance, the stress can still take its toll.

So we decided – this year, we aren’t doing it. No presents, no cooking, no get togethers. How, you might ask, are we going to pull this off? Easy. We have decided to spend Christmas with the Mouse – Mickey that is.

Instead of going during the quieter, less crowded fall season, we are going to go the week of Christmas – one of the most crowded, crazy times of year at WDW…WHAT WERE WE THINKING?

 

 

Well, like I said, we were thinking that we want to enjoy Christmas, to get to spend it with those we truly care about (mainly, each other, and my parents, who are coming along too!), and to not have to cook or entertain or worry about any of that stuff.

Also, we went to WDW at Christmas time in 2011, and it was NOT a good trip – I was sick the whole time, and we want to try and have a do-over of that, a time where we can really experience everything amazing about WDW at Christmas- which is a LOT! They go all out – giant Christmas trees, tons of decorations, themed meals and treats and music and so much to enjoy! And I get to enjoy it with my favorite people – my husband and my parents – the people who first brought me to WDW, and have taught me to love it

So as far as I can tell, this was the best decision we have ever made – sure that means our trip is now more expensive, further away, and we will experience more crowds at the Parks – but hey, its DISNEY at CHRISTMAS! Enough said.

T.G.I.F. Pic Of The Week – Disney’s Christmas Day Parade

All of us have Holiday traditions – they are part of what makes the holiday season so special! My family always opens one present and watch Elf on Christmas Eve, and one of our Christmas Day traditions is watching the Disney Christmas parade, it’s full of Disney characters, special celebrity guests, and it’s so cheerful and Christmas-y it’s guaranteed to put a smile on even the biggest Scrooge’s face!

 

This year’s parade was taped in late November/early December at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland, and will be hosted by Mario Lopez in California, and Maria Menounos and Nick Cannon in Florida. Entertainment includes the Backstreet Boys, Pitbull, Colbie Caillat and more!

It will air on Christmas morning on ABC, so be sure to tune in while you are opening presents and enjoying time with your family – the parade is one of those things that makes the holidays that much brighter!

Only 17 days until Christmas! (not that I’m counting down or anything….)

 

TGIF!

Happy “Cyber Monday”!

So we all know about Black Friday and how that works, but this whole “Cyber Monday” thing is relatively new, and a lot of stores have been taking advantage of this new shopping phenomenon and hosting sales through Thanksgiving weekend and on the Monday following Turkey Day

 

In keeping with this new holiday tradition, The Disney Store is offering some specials today, including 15% off any order over $50, 20% off any order over $75, and 25% off any order over $100, PLUS free shipping on any order over $75

 

You could definitely get some Christmas shopping done and save some money with this great sale!

 

Personally, I have a few items on my Disney Christmas list this year -

Like these adorable measuring spoons (which would match my Mickey measuring cup set!)

Or this fun Toy Story Rex ornament for my tree

Or this cute and fragrant air fresherer for my car!

 

There are so many amazing things to choose from, so I highly recommend you take advantage of “Cyber Monday” and grab these deals while they last!

…Now if only Disney would have a Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale on vacation packages….now that I would get up early and stand in line for!

Disneyland – The Original Park

I know I have talked about Disneyland before (like about how it’s different from Disney World), but I have been thinking a lot about the ‘Land lately, as we are planning a trip there in fall of 2014

The reason we want to go in the fall is because not only will the parks be decked out for the fall season, but one of our fave rides, the Haunted Mansion, will be all dressed up for the Haunted Mansion Holiday, themed after Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas. They also do a halloween celebration, Mickey’s Halloween Party, where you get the chance to trick or treat at Disney!

We can’t wait to check out the new Carsland at Disney’s California Adventure Park, and to experience everything else that these amazing Parks have to offer.

Halloween at Disneyland is a magical time, and I am so excited to check it all out!

Any Disneyland veterans out there have some wisdom they care to share with a couple of Disney World veterans making the trek to California?