Disney Snacks!

If you are part of a Disney community forum or a Disney social network you have probably run across the topic of Walt Disney World snacks.  You might have even joined the conversation and argued for your favorite snack.  No matter, there are many favorite snacks around the World!

I compiled a list of the top 3 snacks based on several forums I take part in.  So, here we go! In no particular order, the winners are:

The Dole Whip! – Probably MY favorite!  If you love ice cream and pineapple this is most definitely the snack for you!  It is a pineapple ice cream made by no other than the Dole company.  You can get it several different ways; in a cup, twisted with vanilla (YUM), or in a float with pineapple juice! You can find it two places: Aloha Isle in the Magic Kingdom, just after you enter Adventureland.  Or, you can find it at the Polynesian Resort quick service restaurant Cap’n Cooks. Your options here are the same except the option for a float, unless of course you create it yourself!  And yes….these can be used as a snack on the Disney Dining Plan. 

The Turkey Leg! – Probably the ugliest and messiest snack but you can guarantee there will be a line waiting to make a mess! An average of 1.6 million of these guys are gobbled every year at the theme parks!  It is a smoked turkey leg with incredible seasonings. The smoking process is very slow and at a low temperature so the fat doesn’t melt off like it would in a higher temperature.  For those of you that know anything about meat know that the fat is what helps make the flavor and this is full of it, flavor that is! You can find a Turkey Leg cart in Frontierland at the Magic Kingdom just opposite of Peco’s Bills. Unfortunately, this is not part of the snack plan. 

 

The Mickey Ice Cream Bar! – This is not your typical ice cream bar!  It is a vanilla mickey shape covered in milk chocolaty goodness!  You can find people of all ages enjoying this little beauty! He offers a refreshing coolness to the heat of long park days! The creamy vanilla ice cream is yummy by itself but to freeze it and add chocolate makes it perfect for the kid in you! You can find this tasty treat all over the world at any snack cart!  The best part is… you can get this one with your snack credits!

Of course this only touches the tip of the iceberg of Disney snacks, but at least you get an idea of the variety Disney has to offer when you need something to tie you over until your next meal! There are many carts and shops that offer things from cinnamon rolls and funnel cakes, to French pastries and ice cream cookies, to frozen adult beverages. Whatever you want, Disney has it! 

Disney Withdrawal!

So, I am guessing if you are a follower of my blog then you have a love of Disney or at least curious!  With that being said... if you are a Disney lover I am sure you go through Disney withdrawal!  You can't wait until your next vacation?  ME EITHER!  I am so excited for my upcoming trips and the first one is still over two months away!  I would start packing already if I didn't need my clothes!

I know I know, its very sad! I mean the minute I get home from a Disney trip I am already planning my next one and putting a countdown on my iPhone! I guess it gives me something to look forward to but I love it!  I guess that is one reason I love planning vacations as well.  It lets me have a Disney fix without actually going!  And I LOVE helping others plan their trips because I feel like my knowledge helps everyone in some way! And the first timers - wow.

How do I deal with this pathetic Disney withdrawal? Besides continuous planning and revamping our itinerary, I will look at pictures online, or old pictures of mine.  I follow the Disboards (website) and help others with their questions!  I daydream and talk to my family about the upcoming trip!  And I dream about things I have yet to experience at Disney, things that could make the trip even that much more magical!

I know you probably think I am crazy but Disney is my hobby.  I mean there are those who collect model cars, stamps, spoons, etc.... I just collect Disney trips!  HAHA! An expensive hobby I know!  But I can honestly say I have SO many good memories from my childhood up until now that are Disney related I can't imagine not having it in my life.  So while you may think I have lost it, I am just now finding it!  I love my new job and can't wait to finish my degree to see what the future holds!  I am going to fulfill my dream of working for Disney if it takes me all of my life!  Just you wait and see!

If you want to follow me on facebook - http://www.facebook.com/DisneyVacationsbyGina

My website - www.yourdreamjourneys.com

Or you can find me under the "your agent" tab on www.pixievacations.com

Pixie Vacations!

Ok... so I thought I should tell you about my new adventure!  I am a new Agent with Pixie Vacations!  You know what that means?  WOO HOO! I get to plan vacations for people!  I know I know... sounds like alot of work!  Not for me, I love stuff like this! My expertise is mainly for Disney vacations (obviously), but I can do anything! 
What makes me a Disney expert? You ready to learn more about me? Let's go! So I have been going to Walt Disney World since I was a bun in my momma's oven!  Every summer during my school years and even some spring breaks consisted of Clearwater Beach and Walt Disney World! Without giving away my age, lets just say the resort choices were limited when I was young so we either stayed at the Contemporary or at the Polynesian! However, in my 41 visits to WDW I have stayed in all but 2 of the Disney Resorts so I am VERY familiar with the accommodations and the differences.  I do have favorites though!  They are all great but I am partial to the Polynesian for the Deluxe, Port Orleans French Quarter for a moderate, and POP Century for a value.  I am always trying to get the most bang for my buck so if I can get a good discount I will stay at the Polynesian!  If not, I am not too proud to stay at the POP!  Like I said, they are all great because they are all Disney Resorts!

Beyond the resorts I am an expert at the parks!  I can tell you anything you want to know about the rides or the park layout! I know my way around Walt Disney World better than I do my own hometown! I have rode every ride at least a few times! And my favorites you ask?  Well its really hard to pick a favorite so I will tell you my favorite from each park!  Magic Kingdom; my favorites would have to be Big Thunder Mountain Railroad & Peter Pan!  They are both classics and originally designed by Walt himself so they are a bit nostalgic and will stand the test of time!  EPCOT; Hands down favorite is Soarin'.  It is not an original ride as it made its way over here from California but it is definitely a keeper!  Although, I have heard from cast members Disney is currently working on a new Soarin' to make it not just over California, but across the world, so I am waiting in anticipation to see if it happens!  Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM Studios); I would have to say Rock n' Roller Coaster!  Just for the thrill of it!  With Aerosmith blaring in your ear and the quick take off, it is definitely the best rush on property! Animal Kingdom; I bet you can't guess.... Yes, Expedition Everest!  This is a great coaster!  It combines the thrill of riding facing front and back in one ride!  The only thing I wish is that is was longer!  But, on any given day you wouldn't be surprised to see me on it 3 or 4 times in a row! But rides aren't all Disney Parks has to offer! How about a good meal?

For all of you foodies... Disney is the place to sample things from all over!  The above is one of my favorites from a restaurant name Jiko, in Animal Kingdom Lodge!  It has a little African flair!  That is a Filet Mignon with mac n' cheese!  YUMMY!  I am a huge steak eater so anywhere I can get a good filet I am there!  Les Chefs de France, Yachtsman Steakhouse, California Grill... those are a just a few that offer a great filet! But there are other great places!  I will save the restaurant blog for another time though!  I want to save a little for you to read later!
  So, as you can see... I am quite the Disney expert and to me, it is my home away from home!  I will not stop going to Disney World!  I love sharing it with friends and family!  There is nothing like spending time with ones you love in the most magical place on earth!  I will be taking my 42nd trip this coming November!  I am so excited!  But before that I will be taking my 7th Disney Cruise!  You can be jealous, go ahead!  LOL!  Anyway... so I am not an Authorized Disney Travel Planner!  If you know anyone who needs help please send them my way! I would love to help!!  I hope you have a magical week!  Talk to you all soon!

The Magic Kingdom

Hello again!  So I thought I would talk about the first park at Walt Disney World, which just so happens to be my favorite! The Magic Kingdom is just that... MAGICAL!

A big misconception is that the Magic Kingdom is for kids.  True, there is a land IN the MK called Fantasyland, but come on.... it is for everyone!  I just want to say to people... WHERE IS YOUR SENSE OF ADVENTURE AND IMAGINATION????    We were all a child once, and you know as well as I do that is still somewhere inside!  Stop letting the world tell you how you should act and let loose! Disney is the best place to act like a kid and no one cares!

So, back to why it's my favorite!  It combines fantasy with reality, adventure with imagination! You can ride on a runaway mountain train or take a boat ride through a Pirate battle!  There is SO much to do and every bit of it makes you feel like a kid! Once you walk through the gates and step onto Main Street USA you have stepped into a different world!  The feeling you get when you see the castle is unreal.  I could be in the Magic Kingdom and actually never ride anything and still have a great day.  But then the sun sets and the something magical happens!  Disney's Main Street Electrical Parade is like no other parade you have ever seen!  It is all lights and characters!  There are stories told as the parade passes by!  And if you wanted to see your favorite Disney characters... the parade is it!!

Not only does the parade make it magical, the nighttime fireworks, Wishes, just makes it perfect!  Wishes combines contemporary Disney with Disney Classics.  It is narrated by Jiminy Cricket and reminds us that anything is possible!  It is one of the best fireworks displays you will ever see!

Sorry its sideway, don't know how to turn it? But you get the idea!

The Magic Kingdom is my magic place.  It reminds me of being a kid and my childhood.  But it also lets me create new memories and the older I get the more I love it.  I wish I could share it with everyone. I hope if you are reading this you have shared in the magic or will someday! There is truly no place like it on this earth.

Why Disney?

Hello everyone!  Ever since I was a child I have had a passion for all things Disney.  It used to be just a vacation spot for me but as I got older it has turned into much more than just a vacation spot.  It feels like home.  But I also bring Disney into my home and to some, it seems childish.  So.... let me talk about Disney and what it means to me and why I bring it into my everyday life.

We all know Walt Disney World is named after the man himself, Walt Disney.  Walt was born in Chicago and raised in Marceline, MO.  He started sketching when he was very young, even selling sketches at the age of 7. Pushing on, Walt got a job in commercial art which led to his experiments in animation. He soon fell in love with animation and started experimenting with different types of characters and was even the first to add a real human to animation in The Alice Comedies. Needless to say, Walt sketched Mickey Mouse on a train with his wife, Lillian.  Mickey's first name was Mortimer Mouse, but Lillian wasn't a fan so she chose a new name and the magic was born!

Of course there is ALOT more to that story but that just gives you an idea of how things came to be.  Walt grew up in a poor family and had big dreams.  Although scared of failure he pursued his dreams with everything he had.  He created a household name and a place for families.  Disneyland was thought up when he took his daughters for daddy/daughter days and just had to watch, he wanted a place they could do things together.  I guess Disneyland does that huh? ;o) 

So, Disney to me represents a dream and that anything in this world is possible.  It reminds me that any obstacle can be overcome.  Living in the US, even in hard times, allows us to dream and dream big.  My dream is to become part of the dream and to join the cast of Disney someday.  I am finally one step closer!

Everytime I see Mickey Mouse he reminds me of the child I once was and that she isn't really that far away.  I may be grown up on the outside but I am definitely still that child within.  So many adults forget that child they used to be.  We tend to focus too much on reality and what we think is possible instead of thinking of what could be possible if we used our imagination.  I may be a child at heart but I have an advantage which is I am definitely a grown up.  I can do anything I want to do, and if I want to be like Walt Disney, then the only thing that stops me, is me.

I have been to Walt Disney World over 40 times now and it is still magical every time.  I just embarked on a new adventure by becoming a Disney Travel Agent and can book Disney vacations for friends and family and clients from the comforts of my own home.  I work for commissions and don't charge a fee.  Some say I am dumb, but I love it.  I love helping people plan that magical vacation for either their children or for themselves.  Disney has so much to offer everyone and I love to share my knowledge and passion with others!  

So all I am saying, is stop trying to be so grown up because life is too short to be serious all the time.  You can handle responsibilities and real life problems and still have fun and laugh.  Be positive and optimistic because things can always be worse.  Think of Walt and then remember... anything is possible!  It takes too much effort to be unhappy!