Magical Blogorail Green - Hidden Treasures

Welcome to those of you joining me from Disney Living and those of you just hopping aboard. I am the final stop on our Magical Blogorail.

One of the Hidden Treasures that I absolutely love is the Firehouse Gift Station on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom. Not many people may know about it, but when inside it's a nice little hidden treasure with little gifts you wouldn't find anywhere else in the park. 

My favorite thing about the Firehouse Gift Station and why I feel it is truly a little Hidden Treasure inside the park is that over the years Firefighters from various departments around the country have left their patches and the station has them up for display. What started off as a tradition for firefighters however has grown and you can find patches from police departments and even several federal agencies that all work towards keeping us and our country safe on a daily basis. I think it's a nice way to honor all those and remember the many men and women that are fighting for our safety. 

Thank you for joining Magical Blogorail Green this month. We will be back Friday, March 23^rd  with an all new theme. Keep checking in with our blogs in between loops to keep up to date with our Disney info, photos and stories. If you are looking for more Disney magic, you can make your way over to The Magical Blogorail website to see all our members and their blogs, as well as all our previous loops.

Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail should you happen to have to make a stop along the way and want to reboard:

1st Stop ~ A Disney Mom’s Thoughts

2nd Stop ~ Walt Disney World: Not Just for Kids
3rd Stop ~ Your Highway in the Sky
4th Stop ~ Disney Living
Final Stop ~ Adventures of a Disney Princess

Magical Blogorail Green: My 2012 Disney Resolution

Welcome to those of you joining me from Pursuing The Magic and those of you just hopping aboard. I am the 2nd stop on our Magical Blogorail.

My 2012 Disney resolution is to finally participate in two of the runDisney race events that I’ve been wanting to do, but for one reason or another haven’t gotten around to doing them. The first is the “Expedition Everest Challenge” that takes place in May and the second is the “Wine & Dine Half Marathon” in November (although I might add the a third as I was really excited about the announcement on Wednesday regarding the new “Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10 Miler”).

This coming year however, there will be no excuses. I will finally partake in these two race events (and maybe 3). 

Have you participated in any of runDisney’s race events? Or do you plan to participate in any? My first event was this past year’s “Royal 5k.” Although I was sick with the flu I truly enjoyed the event and loved that feeling of accomplishment when I crossed the finish line and got my medal.  I can’t wait for the next one!

Thank you for joining me today. Your next stop on the Magical Blogorail Loop is A Disney Mom’s Thoughts. 

Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail should you happen to have to make a stop along the way and want to reboard:

1st Stop ~ Pursuing the Magic

2nd Stop ~ Adventures of a Disney Princess
3rd Stop ~ A Disney Mom’s Thoughts

Final Stop ~ Walt Disney World: Not Just for Kids

Tickets for Mickey's Parties On Sale Now

Tickets are on sale for two of my favorite special ticketed events that take place at the Magic Kingdom each year: Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party!

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will run on select nights September 13-November 1, 2011. I went for the first time in 2010 and absolutely loved it. Where else can a 20-something year old go trick or treating without getting strange looks?

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas party will run on select nights November 8-December 18, 2011. This event is one of my absolute favorites.  To me there is nothing that can get me in the Christmas spirit more than a trip to Disney during the holiday season. The lights and the Disney magic truly bring out the magic of the holidays! I look forward to this event every December. My boyfriend and I have made it a tradition to go every year together!

Both events are really amazing and if you have the opportunity to make it to both this year, I highly recommend it! However, if you can I only make it to one, then I would say go with Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, but I'm being extremely biased since Disney and Christmas are two of my favorite things!

Tickets for both special events are on sale now. Make sure to check out Disney World’s Special Events page for pricing information. If you’re an annual passholder, there are select nights where discounted tickets are offered. 

FASTPASSES to Meet Mickey Mouse

Disney announced yesterday that this spring when Mickey Mouse moves to his new home, Town Square Theater, a FASTPASS will be available to determine the exact time in which guests will meet the famous mouse.

Town Square Theater, will be located at the entrance to the Magic Kingdom in what is currently Exposition Hall. It is replacing  the once popular and recently closed Mickey's Toontown Fair where guests lined up to take pictures and meet with the characters. 

Although the FASTPASS to meet Mickey may turn out to be a wonderful thing, there are many mixed feelings circling around the idea at the moment. This is the first time that the Disney Parks are offering a FASTPASS for anything other than an attraction. Guests will get a one hour time frame to come back and surpass the standby line.

I personally am one of those that is not too thrilled about the Mickey FASTPASS idea. As a child much of the excitement was standing in line knowing waiting to meet the famous Mickey Mouse and have my picture taken with him. I'm not quite sure how exciting it would be to go with your child to pick up a time to meet him and then return. It may even cause a tantrum or two for those kids that will not understand why they just can't wait like the other kids to see him. 

Disney Dining - Whispering Canyon Cafe

One of my absolute favorite places to dine, whether for breakfast before hitting the parks or dinner after a long day at the parks, is the Whispering Canyon Cafe at Disney's Wilderness Lodge.

This is a fun dining place regardless of your age and takes you back to a time of  rustic, less-civilized dining. No need to watch your manners when dining at this place!

If you ask for a straw you may get 20 thrown on your table or if you ask for a refill on a soft drink you just might get a lot more than you asked for!

Giant jar of water with an extra long straw!

When dining at the Whispering Canyon Cafe, I recommend going with their all you care to enjoy skillets for either breakfast or lunch/dinner! It's a great value and you get to taste all of their delicious offerings.

The Holidays at Disney - A look back in pictures

Here is a small snapshot of my trips to Disney during the 2010 holiday season. There really is no place like Disney for the holidays...

The Christmas show during "Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party"

The Osbourne Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios

With Mickey & Minnie during "Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party"

A rainy & cold December dat at Epcot

With Santa and Mrs. Claus

A Disney Bridal Show

For those of you Disney fans that got engaged over the holidays and have always dreamed of a Disney wedding, I have a treat for you!

Disney's Fairytale Weddings & Honeymoons has announced their Bridal Showcase 2011 taking place at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa March 18th-20th. Brides-to-be will have the opportunity to mingle with celebrity wedding planner David Tutera and editor-in-chief of The Knot, Carley Roney.

The Bridal Showcase will give brides a chance to visit planning booths, take a site tour of various ceremony and reception venues, and even have lunch with with David Tutera!

Admission for the Bridal Showcase & Luncheon is $75. For those that just want to attend the Bridal Showcase the cost is $25. To register click here.

Ringing in the New Year at Disney!

I can't wait to ring in 2011 at Disney tonight! Some people may think I'm crazy for going to Disney on New Year's, but with some a bit of planning it's really not that bad. We actually decided to make this trip up to Orlando just 3 days ago...and yes, we were able to find dinner reservations for tonight as well! Below are some tips to ring in the New Year at Disney, whether planning it 3 days before (like me) or even a couple of weeks (During the holidays Disney is booked months, and even a year in advance at times).

For dining, the trick is to have an early dinner (around 5pm) or you can also opt for the very late dinner (10 pm). We were able to find several restaurants at the Parks that still had availability.

Another tip is to know what Park you plan on going to ahead of time. If you know for sure that you would like to ring in the New Year with a toast of champagne, then the Magic Kingdom is not for you. Regardless of what day of the year it is, they do not sell alcohol (not even on New Year's). I've heard many people complain about this, but rules are rules. If it's just adults, I suggest either EPCOT or Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Many of the Parks tend to get filled to capacity, so plan to arrive at the park you plan on saying "Happy New Year" at around 6pm at the latest. The Parks do hand out hats and blowers (for FREE). When you pick up your Park guide for the day, make sure to check out the distribution areas (there will be lines, so be prepared). Times of distribution may vary, but they usually do it around 7:30pm.

Hope everyone has a Happy New Year! I'll be back in 2011 with more tips and pictures!

Christmas Time at Disney

Two of my favorite things in the world are Christmas and Disney, put the two together and what you have is the ultimate Christmas experience! It doesn't get any better than Christmas time in Disney because they make sure to put you in the holiday spirit from the second you visit the website to book your trip!

Not only are the parks decorated in the best way possible for Christmas, but the Disney parks have something special for the Holiday season. I recently went to Disney and really got into the holiday spirit with all that they have going on at the parks.

At EPCOT, you can experience the holidays around the world and see how people from all over celebrate the holiday season differently through their own cultural traditions. EPCOT also has the Candlelight Processional, which I've yet to experience, but plan to do so next year!

Disney's Hollywood Studios is home to The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. No words can describe how amazing this is.
At the Magic Kingdom, Main Street is decked in wreaths and garland with ornaments and a giant Christmas tree. Directly across from the Christmas tree  you'll find Cinderella's Castle which is strung in lights from top to bottom giving it the effect of an icy wonderland! My favorite special event of the holiday season takes place in Magic Kingdom with Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. This has become an annual tradition for us as we go every year to this event.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party takes place on select nights from November through December (typically Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays). Since it is a special event it requires a separate ticket, and the closer it gets to the holidays the more quickly it sells out. If you plan on going on the last day of the event (usually the last Sunday before Christmas), make sure to buy your tickets 2-3 months in advance. I really enjoy this event because it's everything Christmas, Disney style! And of course who can say no to unlimited hot cocoa and sugar cookies (they also have a healthier alternative with apple slices and apple juice).

Most of Disney's holiday events begin in early November and run through the New Year, but to be sure it's always best to check the official Disney World website to confirm dates and times.

Have you been to the Disney Parks during the Holidays? What is your favorite thing to do?

Pictures of my Disney trip will be up soon!

Welcome to Adventures of a Disney Princess

As an avid Disney fan and annual passholder, I thought it would only be appropriate to create a blog where I can share my experiences with other Disney fans and give tips to those making plans to visit the parks!


So welcome to, Adventures of a Disney Princess. This is an unofficial blog about all things Disney! Follow me as I share with you the best places to stay, things to do, special events, and news about the Parks.