T.G.I.F. Pic Of The Week – Big Changes Coming for Downtown Disney

Downtown Disney has always been a great place for those of all ages to shop and eat, but it’s always held extra appeal for the adult crowd, with it’s bars and clubs and live music that all seem to come alive at night. Disney recently revealed plans to make this complex even better by transforming it into “Disney Springs”

The idea behind Disney Springs is to create a space that welcomes families and those of all ages so that they can have a place to feel relaxed, while enjoying unique shops and delicious dining options. It will be modeled after turn of the century lakeside towns that Florida was famous for, and the “backstory” is that the Town Center of Disney Springs was where a serious of bubbling natural springs were located and it’s where settlers first laid down roots. Growth to the area then brought the Landing, Marketplace, and West Side – each with their own distinct theming and charms.

The area will essentially double its offerings – going from 75 to over 150 entertainment/dining/shopping options that should all be completed by sometime in 2016. I personally can’t wait to see it all come together! Check out more information here, and of course stay tuned here on LivinginagrownupWorld for updates and pics as they become available!

TGIF

Try Something Different At WDW

Walt Disney World is known for its Theme Parks and rides, and they are some of the best in the world, as Disney really strives to create an immersive guest experience, and they 100% succeed at that (in my humble opinion!)

But, Theme Parks and rides aren’t for everyone, and for those who are headed to WDW and are looking for something unique and different to occupy your time, here are some things you can try:

-Rent a Boat – WDW offers motorboats, jetskis, and canoes/paddle boats for rental, and it’s a great way to get to see more of Disney

-Fishing – You can book fishing excursions where you go out with a guide and spend a morning catching some large and small mouth bass (you don’t get to keep what you catch, unfortunately, but its still a fun time!)

-Bike Rides – Bike rentals are available at several resorts, and there are lots of trails to explore all around the resorts

-Horseback Riding – at Disney’s Fort Wilderness you can take lessons and go riding through their long nature trails (it’s so peaceful there you may even forget you’re at Disney World!)

-Spa Treatments – WDW offers 2 world class spas where you can relax in a serene setting while you get a massage, facial, and manicure

-Golf – there are several amazing golf courses at Disney, and you can event take lessons from their pros

-Shopping – Stores are everywhere at WDW, for those hardcore shoppers I recommend you head over to Downtown Disney, where you will find everything for sale from toys to Harleys!

-Swimming – All WDW Resorts have pools, and there are also water parks that are the perfect place to cool off on a hot day

-Try Some New Cuisine – WDW is known for it’s amazing food, and there are plenty of restaurants options out there that offer all kinds of food, so it’s a great place to be advanturous and try something new (like African or Moroccan food!)

Disney offers all this and much, much more – check out their website to find out what they have in store for you!

T.G.I.F. Pic Of The Week – New Haunted Mansion Souvenirs Appear In The Disney Parks!

Disney is always changing up their merchandise offerings, which is great for those of us who are looking for a uniquely new souvenir – and what better thing to bring home than something that reminds me of one of my favorite Disney rides – The Haunted Mansion!

These brand new Haunted Mansion inspired items are so great – what a perfect way to decorate your home with that subtle little hint of Disney?

Hard Candy will taste even better out of this creepy candy dish

A Frame for your most paranormal photo

A place to rest your head

Oh, and it would make a great addition to this pillow – which has been available for a while at the Parks

And probably my personal fave – this coaster set would look perfect on my bar, and you can’t help but laugh at the sayings!

 

Right now, these are available exclusively at select locations at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, but I am betting they will show up online via the Disney Store soon!

TGIF

The Disney Dining Plan: Why I Love It

There is a LOT of work that goes into Planning a Walt Disney World vacation, and I personally love every minute of it, but then again I make lists in my sleep, so for those of you who aren’t quite as super freakishly organized as me, the planning might seem like a daunting task

The Disney Dining Plan is something that can help make your vacation planning easier, not to mention it can help it run smoothly when you actually arrive at WDW. It’s basically a way to pre-pay for some or all of your vacation meals, and I love it

WHY do I love it? Well here are just a few reasons:

Pre Pay Saves On Out Of Pocket Costs: I like that I can add the Dining Plan while I am booking my Resort and Park tickets, and that means once I am in the Parks I am spending less money because I have already prepaid for a lot of my meals, so this helps me when I am putting together my vacation budget (always a tricky thing to do!)

Restaurant Selection: Almost all the restaurants in WDW accept the Disney Dining Plan, there are a few exceptions, but for the most part all the faves and classics are dining plan eligible (click here for a full list)

Mug Included: As of 2012, each guest using the Dining Plan received a free refillable mug, which means at counter service meals at your Resort, you not only get to pick up a drink of your choice, but you can also fill your mug seperately (coffee AND juice for breakfast anyone?). Oh, and it makes an adorable souvenir too

Different Plans fit Everyone’s Tastes: The “regular” or “standard” Dining Plan includes one sit down meal, one counter service meal, and one snack per person for each night of your stay. Think that’s too much food for you, or would you rather spend time at the Parks then at a sit down restaurant? Well then try the Quick Service dining plan which replaces the sit down with another counter service meal option. Does your party have big appetites? Then you may want to consider the Deluxe dining plan, which allows for more sit down meals and makes sure your family is full and fueled up!

Makes My Life Easy: When I arrive at Walt Disney World, one of the first things I want to do is eat – not only because WDW has AMAZING food, but also because I am likely starving from traveling all day and avoiding the crappy $12 sandwiches that seem adundant at most airports. So upon arrival, I want to head to the closest counter service eatery and get my grub on – with the Dining Plan, all I have to do is pick my meal, drink, and dessert and with one easy swipe of my room key at the register I am done, no cash or credit card needed. It really is that easy, and I am grateful for one less thing I have to worry about while on vacation

 

Check out the official Dining Plan information on WDW’s website, and see if it’s right for you!

Mickey And Minnie – A Match Made In Heaven

 

 

 

Today my husband and I celebrate SEVEN years together – this is a big deal to us, as we have been through a lot and have done so much together, it really seems like a big milestone, and we are happy and proud to have had each other for the past seven years, and are greatly looking forward to many many more years of laughs, tears, vacations (to Disney!), dates, dogs, and fun! We have only been married for about 3 years, so yes, this means we are those people who still celebrate their dating anniversary even after they have gotten married- and it may seem lame, but we don’t care ha!

 

 

This got me to thinking about famous couples in love throughout history, and of course Mickey and Minnie came to mind – they have been appearing together since 1928 when Mickey appeared in the cartoon short “Plane Crazy” – where he builds his own aircraft, and brings Minnie along for his first flight. His attempts to kiss her result in her parachuting out of the plane, which distracts him enough to lose control of the plane and cause a crash landing. This was not their famous debut as a couple though – that wouldn’t occur until November 18th, 1928 – the day Steamboat Willie was released to the public with Mickey as the boats crew member and Minnie as it’s lone passenger.

 

 

Since then, Minnie has been rescued many times by Mickey, and her strong and fun personality have made her and Mickey one of the most well-known couples ever!

 

 

They may be animated, and they may be mice, but I know can only hope to someday have a love as strong as these two! (And in the meantime, I will settle for just being as cute as Minnie ha!)

 

 

 

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