So What did Mom & Dad Do During Our 4-Park Challenge

We planned to do our 4-park challenge day and offered this option for our parents to join us. They decided to have their own day to do whatever they would like.

We were a little worried they would be bored and not know what to do...oh boy were we wrong!

They had a great day at Magic Kingdom! Got lunch at Casey's Corner and caught the Festival of Fantasy parade from the new courtyard area.

They even danced with Olaf! Not sure why we were worried - they had a great day!

Our 4 Park Challenge Day!

During this trip we did a 4 Park Challenge. Our goal/rules of the challenge: go to each park in one day, enjoy at least 3 attractions per park, and eat at least a snack at each park. And....we did it! It is definitely exhausting, but added a different element to our trip

Our first park was Animal Kingdom to capitalize on the extra magic hours in the morning. We were able to ride Expedition Everest TWICE, walked on Kilimanjaro safaris and walked through the Pangani Forest Exploration uninterrupted. We grabbed breakfast at a kiosk and enjoyed some espresso and a croissant.

Next park: Magic Kingdom! We rode Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion and the WDW Railroad. We had lunch at Friars Nook (Christopher wanted the pot roast macaroni and cheese) and I shared a pepperoni pizza from Pinocchio's Village Haus. 

Next park: Hollywood Studios. This is our least favorite park, so finding things to do that we both liked was hard. We rode Star Tours, walked through One Man's Dream and then did the Star Wars Lego Experience since it was Star Wars weekend. For our snack, we had a Mickey Ear Ice Cream to help us cool off. 

Since we were making excellent time, we decided to walk back to our resort and take a little nap. It felt so awesome to put our feet up and relax. We probably would have made it through Epcot, but we would have been a little grumpy.

After our nap it was off to our final park - EPCOT! We rode Test Track (thanks to our free fast pass from the ride breaking down), The 3 Caballeros and Mission: SPACE. 

We then relaxed until our dinner reservation at Spice Road Table. We had some celebratory drinks - Christopher picked up a beer from England and I had my favorite martini - no surprises there.

Dinner was delicious but the service was awful. We ordered our favorite pitcher of sparkling sangria, baked brie, calamari and mixed skewers. And of course we finished with coffee and dessert. We caught Illuminations from our table and had a great view of it. We also ran into my co-worker Titi! It was her first trip to WDW and she was having a great time.

And because we are crazies, we ran back to the resort, dropped all of our stuff and ran over to Hollywood Studios to catch Symphony in the Stars. It was so much more huge from outside of the park. We definitely have a new appreciation for the fireworks show.

So...WE DID IT! The 4 park challenge was fun yet exhausting. Definitely not to do with young children, but I would say pre-teen, teens could handle it.

Magic Kingdom Day!

Our second day in Walt Disney World we planned our Magic Kingdom day! We headed over just before lunch time, so we could sleep in and relax.

We are so blessed to come here as often as we do, and even though we get to visit annually (or three times this past year), the first sight of Cinderella Castle still gives me the chills and puts a smile on my face.

For this trip, Christopher and I did invest in the Memory Maker with Disney's Photopass service, Since we were not sure if we were going to bring the camera with us every day, this gave us the right to use the Photopass service AND get all of the pictures digitally. We loved using the service and made sure to stop for pictures whenever we could, including in front of the castle!

We did several attractions before lunch - Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger spin, Monsters, Inc Laugh Floor, and Space Mountain.

We then had lunch reservations at Cinderella's Royal Table inside the castle. This experience is awesome and Mom and Dad had a blast. Our food was delicious and the princesses were awesome and friendly. We got to meet Cinderella, Snow White, Princess Aurora, Ariel and Jasmine. We also had them sign our picture frame mat that we started on our last trip.

After lunch we enjoyed the Hall of Presidents, Haunted Mansion and caught the Festival of Fantasy parade too. To cool off in the afternoon, we enjoyed a Dole Whip from Aloha Isle.

For dinner, we had reservations at 'Ohana in the Polynesian Village Resort. Dinner was delicious and so filling. Food and more food! We all also indulged in a Lapu Lapu - an alcoholic tropical drink served out of a pineapple. Funny thing - we ended up having the same server as Christopher and I had from our trip last May! Weird coincidence! My favorite foods during dinner was the bread, chicken wings, beef and the bread pudding. But it is so much food!

Once we got back to the resort we decided to go into the hot tub to relax. Dad decided to join us too. The hot tub felt really nice and relaxing, especially after a day at the parks.

Tips for Making the Most out of the Disney Dining Plan

I am often asked questions by family and friends about the Disney Dining Plans. My family has used the Disney Dining Plan (DDP) for a couple of trips. We enjoy it, but have learned several tips and tricks along the way. I thought I would share them with you all as the fun summer vacation season is almost upon us!

Meals: Basics on how they work, and how to make it work for your budget

-          First and foremost gratuities are NOT included except as noted in the dining plan brochure. These generally include In-room dining, pizza delivery, the dinner shows and Cinderella’s Royal Table.  Make sure to budget for the anticipated gratuities. We forgot about this point the first time we used the dining plan in 2012 and did not budget for it. So now that you all know, you don’t have to ask the uncomfortable question to your fabulous server.

-          It sounds silly but make sure to check the listing of participating restaurants, as sometimes restaurants are added or dropped from the list. Use this link, which takes you directly to the Disney Dining Plan page for the most up to date information.

-          Some special menus (like prix fixe) and menu add-ons (like adding on a lobster tail) will not be included in the dining plans. The menu will note an up charge and you will be required to pay that additional fee.

-          Each of the meals includes a non-alcoholic beverage. If you don’t want your drink, order a bottle of water and take it to go!

-          Looking for quick service but want something more “exotic” than the frequently menued chicken fingers and burgers? Several resort food courts – Landscape of Flavors (Art of Animation), Everything Pop (Pop Century), Pepper Market (Coronado Springs), Mara (Animal Kingdom Lodge), Contempo Café (Contemporary Resort) – offer ethnic or more exotic food options.  I LOVE the tie dyed cheesecake at Pop Century and the Beignets at French Quarter. (Desserts – I know, but still – so delicious!)

Snacks: Mickey Ice Cream? Dole Whip? Food & Wine Festival? Oh Boy!

-          Leftover snack credits? Don’t let them go to waste! Disney offers several opportunities for you to spend those unused snack credits to bring some of the Parks home with you. Most of the resort food courts offer “packable food” for any quick service credits that are left over. These meals make for great meals on the go when you have to travel home. I like to think of it as my last little piece of Disney meal magic. Also – did you forget to buy your best friend or sibling a souvenir? Use your unused snack credits to get them a Mickey themed snack like a rice krispy treat or coconut ears.  

-          If you are vacation during either the Epcot Food & Wine Festival or the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, your snack credits can be used for most “tasting portions” offered in the kiosks around the World Showcase. You can get the most bang for your credits doing this. For example, during the Epcot Food & Wine Festival, in previous years the Maine Lobster Roll could be redeemed using a snack credit, saving you $9.75! That is like having a meal but only using a snack credit – SCORE!

Other Tips & Tricks to get the most out of your plan

-          You can use the meal credits whenever you want during your Walt Disney vacation. For example, if you’re on the regular dining plan and you want to eat two table service meals one day and three quick service meals the next day, no problem. Or if you want to use up all of your snack credits in one day, that is okay too.

-          The dining plan includes dessert with both lunch and dinner. Keep in mind this level of heavy eating could make it difficult to walk around the parks. An alternative to heavy desserts like cake, pie and other Disney delicacies is to order fresh fruit instead. Most restaurants and quick service will offer fresh fruit that you can take to go as your dessert. Then you can snack on an apple or banana later in the day when you may get hungry.  Meal and snack all in one! You guys know me and how I love deals.

-          If you are on the regular meal plan, you may want to consider sharing a quick service meal. Last trip Christopher and I split a half chicken dinner at Cosmic Ray’s and it was more than enough food for the two of us. The chicken was generous and it came with a potato and vegetable sides. Other places that offer larger meals are Flame Tree Barbecue in Animal Kingdom (1/2 chicken & ribs combo – for the meat lovers) and Sunshine Seasons at Epcot (Asian combo that allows you to pick two entrees and two sides – oh boy!)

Dining with kids? Here is the scoop to maximize your credits

-          Most quick service locations have a set kids menu and options are pretty limited. A few restaurants do not have a separate kid’s menu, which means they can order any combo or entrée on the menu with a child credit. These include: Casey’s Corner (Magic Kingdom), Catalina Eddies and Toluca Legs Turkey Company (Hollywood Studios), Sommerfest and Yorkshire County Fish Shop (Epcot). BAAAM – getting more for your buck never felt so good!

-          Kids’ selections at some sit-down restaurants can be limited. A couple things to keep in mind:

o   Ask for alternatives. If your kids don’t like anything on the kids menu, ask the server if they can have a child-sized portion of something from the adult menu. Not every time, but often this can be accommodated.

o   Ask to see the chef if your child has allergies or a dietary issue where eating off the regular menu might be tricky. A better option is to contact Disney before your trip to alert them of the dietary issue (407-939-3463). Disney is very good at accommodating these issues.  You may have also heard some buzz about Disney’s special allergy menus. Remember – it never hurts to ask!

o   You may find that buffet locations, where the selection is broader, can accommodate the pickiest of eaters and everyone in your party can be satisfied. And some buffet locations also offer character dining! BONUS. Our favorite? Tusker House in Magic Kingdom. This is one of the few locations guests can meet Daisy Duck!

But I saved the best tip for last…the #1 tip I have for using the Disney Dining Plan is to prepare your dining game plan BEFORE you arrive at Disney. Seriously, if you don’t want to be disappointed at the end of your trip or upset because you did not use all of your credits for dining and snacks, put together a plan ahead of time to make sure you will use all of your credits. To help you with my #1 tip, use the Ellegant Décor Disney Collection Dining Planner. This way, you can get an idea of how many meal and snack credits your family will have and where you can use them prior to your trip. At the end of our first trip using the dining plan, we did not use 2 of our dining credits – doh! We were disappointed in ourselves for wasting the meals and the money! So learn from our mistakes.

And since Disney vacation season is upon us and many of you are day dreaming and planning your next trip, Ellegant Décor is offering 10% off ALL of their Disney Planners (from the VALUE to WALT and the Dining Planner) now through April 30^th! Just use the code “APRILSHOWERS” at checkout! And for a limited time, the WALT planner will include the Dining Planner for FREE. Gosh I LOVE deals.

Now I am hungry thinking about all of the delicious Disney food! Happy Planning!

Our Upcoming Trips FastPass+ Plan

So excited that our trip is about two months away!!! For all the Disney veterans out there - you know what this means - FastPass+ time, pre-arrival check in, etc. I am sure you will not be surprised when I tell you that we have a FP+ plan before we hit our 60 day mark. I thought I would share it with you all and to cheer us on that we get close to what our wishes are!

Day 1 - we will be in Epcot as it is just a short walk from our villa at the Boardwalk. Although our goal is to try as many different tastings during the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival, we do want to fit in some ride breaks. We are hoping for: Soarin', Mission: SPACE and Spaceship Earth. Mom and I will probably pass on Mission: SPACE, but our parents love Soarin'. And of course we have to hit Spaceship Earth too.

Day 2 - Magic Kingdom Day! FP #1 - Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Our parents have not been on this attraction yet and the lines are usually long. The coaster is cool, but we don't think it is worth the 2 hour wait. Definitely FastPass+ it. Other two rides are Space Mountain and Peter Pan's Flight. Peter Pan's Flight is a slower transfer for guests getting on and off the ride, that is why the wait times soar in the afternoon.

Day 3 - Hollywood Studios Day & Star Wars Weekend! Our FastPass+ plan is to hit Toy Story Midway Mania (a must unless you want to wait in really long lines), Star Tours (because it is Star Wars Weekend) and Tower of Terror - Christopher's favorite.

Day 4 - this is kind of a flex day, but Christopher and I are planning on going back to Epcot to eat at some more marketplaces. So we are planning for Test Track and the Epcot Character Spot - to get our pictures taken with the Fab 5. But this may change - we shall see how the vacation takes us.

Day 5 - Christopher and I's 4-Park Challenge Day. Goodness wish us luck! It was tough trying to pick which park we should use our FastPass+ selections at. Animal Kingdom has early extra magic hours, so we feel we should have no problem hitting three attractions in the early morning. Next we are heading to Magic Kingdom and since there are so many attractions available, we don't think we will have an issue here either. The next park is Hollywood Studios - and this is where we are thinking we should use our FP+ selections because the park doesn't have that many attractions and we will be getting here later in the day. Our plan is Toy Story Midway Mania, Star Tours and Muppet Vision 3D. It may not work out with the times, but if we could at least get Toy Story Midway Mania, we should not have to wait too long for Star Tours and Muppet Vision 3D. Then of course we are heading to Epcot for the last three attractions and our celebratory dinner. We are planning on hitting Captain EO, Journey Into Imagination with Figment and Spaceship Earth.

Day 6 - Since our parents haven't really been to Animal Kingdom, we figured this was a must on this trip. So we are planning to use our FP+ selections on Expedition Everest, Kilimanjaro Safaris and possibly Mickey & Minnie at the Adventureers Outpost to get some cute family pictures.

Days 7 - 12 we will not have passes, so no need to worry about FP+ selections. We are going to spend the second half of our trip relaxing by the pools, enjoying the fabulous resort fare and shopping.

Our Disney December Trip - Day 6 (Last Day)

Our last day in the Kingdom :( Christopher made breakfast reservations at the Grand Floridian Cafe for breakfast so he could get in his last steak and eggs there. He is STILL talking about breakfast there and I will have to get on it to make breakfast reservations for our May trip. 

With excellent planning of our trip, we were able to snag Fast Passes to meet Elsa & Anna!!! It was an awesome experience to meet them. They spent a good amount of time with each party and posed for lots of pictures and signed our picture mat.

We also got on some of our favorite rides too - like Space Mountain and Pirates of the Caribbean.

We were sad to go! But we know we will be back in less than 5 months!

Our Disney December Trip - Day 5

Day 5 of our trip, we did a "resort" tour to catch a bunch of the Christmas decorations and exhibits that were up. We decided to take the monorail to Epcot and then walk through Epcot to get to the Crescent Lake resort area. I tried to tempt Christopher with a cronut, but he was being good. 

Our first stop was Beach Club. It was a lovely warm day and by the time we got to the resort area - no jackets were necessary!

Inside the Beach Club, they had many decorated Christmas trees and a lifesize carousel made out of gingerbread! It was even spinning too!

We then walked over to the Yacht Club. This resort also had a lot of Christmas trees decorated, but their centerpiece was a model train village. It was huge and beautiful. This inspired Christopher to set up our train sets when we got home from the trip. 

Then we walked over to the Boardwalk Resort - one of our favorite resorts (and staying here in May!) The poinsettia garden was beautiful! Wish it was warm enough in Buffalo to do this.

Inside the Boardwalk Resort they had a classic stand for some cones! Made out of...you guessed it - Gingerbread!

We then took a bus over to the Magic Kingdom and walked to the Contemporary resort. Their gingerbread exhibit was themed for Frozen. And instead of Hidden Mickeys - they did Hidden Olaf's - how cute!

We then took to the monorail over to the Poly to relax and catch some football. Unfortunately they did not show the Buffalo Bills game. But we still sat at the bar - ordered our Lapu Lapu's and Christopher received play by play updates through his dad, brother Mike, friends and ESPN.

After relaxing and finishing our drinks at the Poly, we headed back to our home resort and grabbed lunch out on the beach/pool area. Christopher was in a good mood, despite missing the Bills game.

We then headed back to our rooms to change for dinner! Our last night, we did dinner at Citricos inside the Grand. Before dinner, we got some more pictures in front of the HUGE tree inside the Grand, did a little last minute shopping and then headed to the lounge for some pre-dinner drinks. 

We relaxed at the lounge and listened to the live band that was playing. It was truly an exception experience and we will definitely be doing that again. (Side note: you are warned - service at the lounge is very slow).

Citricos is our new favorite restaurant! The service is incredible and the food is absolutely out of this world. We ordered a bottle of wine and started with some appetizers. Christopher ordered the arancini and I had the cheese course. For our entrees Christopher had the Swordfish and I had the veal chop. Both were AMAZING and I still think about that meal.

Although we really did not have any room left for dessert, I wanted to get the warm chocolate torte just so I could get the chocolate crown. Our table was near the dessert station and I caught the pastry chefs making the crowns while we were there.

Christopher ordered the gelato sampler - and it was so cute. They served it in three mini ice cream cones in this cute stand.

We then ran down to the dock after dinner (more like waddled) to catch Wishes over Magic Kingdom. It was so romantic and a great way to end our Christmas vacation at Disney.