Magical Blogorail Green: Best Ways to Get Wet and Keep Cool in Disney

Welcome to those of you joining me from Disney Living and those of you just hopping aboard. I am the 3rd stop on our Magical Blogorail.

One of my favorite ways to get wet and keep cool in Disney has always been and always will be the water parks. However I want to highlight another great way to get wet and keep cool while visiting Disney this summer - the amazing pool at Disney's Yacht Club Resort.

I stayed there last July 4th weekend with my family strictly to enjoy the pool (we did venture to Epcot on one of the days). It's like a mini water park at a gorgeous Disney resort in Epcot's backyard! It has two slides, a lazy river and of course the several pools (some large and some small). You can rent single and double tubes to float around the lazy river for a couple of hours or all day (and trust me in the middle of a Florida hot summer that's all you want to do).

*Note: If you want to experience the amazing pools, watersides and lazy river you do need to be staying at either Disney's Yacht Club Resort or Disney's Beach Club Resort (both resorts share the pool area). The pool is enclosed by a gate and they do check hotel keys.


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 ~ Your Highway in the Sky2nd Stop ~ Disney Living3rd Stop ~ Adventures of a Disney Princess4th Stop ~ A Disney Mom’s ThoughtsFinal Stop ~ Walt Disney World: Not Just for Kids

Magical Blogorail Green - Epcot Flower & Garden Festival

Welcome to the first stop aboard Magical Blogorail Green. Enjoy the ride as we share with you details of Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival.

I love visiting Epcot's Flower & Garden Festival each year. My favorite thing about the festival is seeing all the gorgeous topiaries that are displayed throughout the park. Each year they bring some new topiaries to the park and you can always count on the classic ones that come back year after year (like "Beauty and the Beast" and "Sleeping Beauty").

You can't really describe just how beautiful the topiaries throughout the park are, so I'll let you enjoy the pictures from last year's festival. 

I'll be sure to post pictures from this year's festival as soon as I get a chance to go back to Disney. 

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 ~ Adventures of a Disney Princess

2nd Stop ~ A Disney Mom’s Thoughts

3rd Stop ~ Walt Disney World: Not Just for Kids

4th Stop ~ Your Highway in the Sky
Final Stop ~ Disney Living

Magical Blogorail Green: My Disney Memory with a Loved One

Welcome to those of you joining me from Disney Living and those of you just hopping aboard. I am the 4th stop on our Magical Blogorail. 

My Disney memory with a loved one goes back to when I was 15 years old. It was a "girls" trip with my mom, aunt, sister and great grandmother. That was the last time I went to Disney with my great grandmother whom recently passed away. By that time, taking a trip to Disney was already difficult for her, but she went anyway. 

We had so much fun going to Epcot and the Magic Kingdom (her two favorite parks). The entire time she was laughing and having a great time. I'll never forget the smile on her face. She couldn't go on any rides, but she enjoyed just being there with us and watching her great grandchildren have a wonderful time. 

After all these years I look back and remember what a fun Disney trip that was, especially because of how special it is to me now. I will always hold that Disney memory close to my heart. (I wish I could have posted pictures, but they weren't taken on a digital camera and are put away in an album.)

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 ~ Walt Disney World: Not Just for Kids

2nd Stop ~ Your Highway in the Sky

3rd Stop ~ Disney Living

4th Stop ~ Adventures of a Disney Princess

Final Stop ~ A Disney Mom’s Thoughts

Magical Blogorail Green: The Disney Attraction I Miss the Most

                                          Welcome to those of you joining me from Magical Days with the Mouse and those of you just hopping aboard. I am the 3rd stop on our Magical Blogorail.

The attraction I miss the most is still at the parks in a sense, but not as it was originally. That attraction is "Journey Into Imagination." You may remember that I blogged about this same attraction back in April during Magical Blogorail's Least Favorite Disney Attraction. Even though I consider the current attraction my least favorite of the parks, the original attraction is also the attraction I miss the most (I'm pretty sure I speak for a lot of Disney fans out there)!

In my opinion, the original attraction was simply perfect! I still don't understand the reasoning behind changing the ride. Dreamfinder and Figment really brought the concept of using your imagination to life in the original attraction.

After Disney's recent reopening of the "Original Enchanted Tiki Room," I have hope that one day they will bring back my beloved "Journey Into Imagination." I loved that ride and figment so much that after 23 years I still have the Figment plush toy that my parents bought for me on one of my trips (and he still looks brand new)!

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 ~ Your Highway in the Sky
2nd Stop ~ Magical Days with the Mouse
3rd Stop ~ Adventures of a Disney Princess
4th Stop ~ A Disney Mom’s Thoughts
Final Stop ~ Walt Disney World: Not Just for Kids

Magical Blogorail - My Favorite World Showcase Pavilion

Welcome to the first stop aboard Magical Blogorail Green. Enjoy the ride as we share with you our favorite World Showcase Pavilion!


I must start off by saying that in general I absolutely love Epcot's World Showcase! One of my favorite things to do is just walk through it "hopping from country to country" in just a couple of hours. And although it is hard to choose a favorite, there is one that to me intrigues me the most and has made me decide that one day I will take a trip to visit the actual country - that World Showcase Pavilion is Norway!


Walking through and experiencing the Norway Pavilion to me is like being in the pages of an old fairy tale storybook. I especially love the details of the Maelstrom Adventure Cruise - my favorite part of the ride comes at the end when you are in what looks like a quaint little Norwegian village. 


And of course how can I forget the fragrances at the store. Although I've never actually purchased the signature perfume at the store (due to how outrageously expensive it is) I fall in love with the smell each and every time. 


The one thing I haven't experienced at the Norway Pavilion is dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall with the Disney Princesses - but it is on my Disney bucket list! 

Photo Courtesy of Walt Disney World

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 Loop should you happen to have to make a stop along the way and want to reboard:

1st Stop ~ Adventures of a Disney Princess
2nd Stop ~ A Disney Mom’s Thoughts
3rd Stop ~ Disney on Wheels
4th Stop ~ Your Highway in the Sky
Final Stop ~ Magical Days with the Mouse

A Look Back at the 2011 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival

I love visiting Epcot each year during their annual Flower & Garden Festival. I look forward to seeing the new topiaries displayed throughout the park (and the classic ones too that return year after year) as well as all the flowers. 

It brings a little extra something to the park. I especially enjoy the different kiosks selling various plant species and items for the garden. It makes me forget that I don't have a green thumb and that everything I plant usually ends up dying. It actually inspires me to want to have a beautiful garden one day (I'm trying and I'm still working on getting the Plumeria I bought last year to bloom)!

This year's festival I think by far had the most beautiful topiaries, but I tend to say that every year! 

Magical Blogorail - My Least Favorite Disney Attraction

Welcome to those of you joining me from Magical Days with the Mouse and those of you who have just hopped aboard.  I am the 4th stop on our Magical Blogorail.

I must start by saying that this was difficult. My least favorite Disney attraction? How could I possibly not like something related to Disney? As difficult as it was, I do have a least favorite Disney attraction and it was after Disney went and changed it. 

Originally my favorite ride in all of Disney, Journey Into Imagination is now my least favorite attraction. 

I miss the original ride and although I still love Figment, I just don't like what Disney did with the attraction. Instead of the friendly and happy Dreamfinder leading you on the journey, it is now a cold Dr. Nigel Channing. The cartoon version of Figment on the screens also changed with the ride upgrade. 

The ride is now more about the science of things and the senses we experience. I feel as if a lot of the "imagination" and fun part of the ride disappeared when they revamped it.

Dreamfinder & Figment at Epcot

I guess this is part of the old saying all good things must come to an end, but Disney didn't really end it, they changed it. And why change a good thing?

I'm hoping one day Disney will bring back the original "Journey Into Imagination" so that the new generation of kids (and adults as well) can enjoy what I once thought was the best attraction.

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 Loop should you happen to have to make a stop along the way and want to reboard:

1^st Stop ~ Walt Disney World: It’s Not Just For Kids

2^nd Stop ~ Your Highway in the Sky

3^rd Stop ~ Magical Days with the Mouse

4^th Stop ~ Adventures of a Disney Princess

Final Stop ~ A Disney Mom’s Thoughts

Magical Blogorail - My Favorite Disney Theme Park

Welcome to those of you joining me from Magical Memory Planners or those of you who have just hopped aboard. I am the 3rd stop on our Magical Blogorail.

Although it’s hard for me to pick a favorite Disney theme park (all of them have something special that I love), I am going to have to go with Epcot.

Epcot is the most “adult” friendly Disney park and for a couple without kids. I especially enjoy all of the special events that Epcot has throughout the year, especially Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival and Epcot’s International Flower and Garden Festival. Those are two times are year where it is a definite must to make a trip to the parks – if you haven’t been during these events I strongly urge you to go. 

Another thing that makes Epcot my favorite park is the World Showcase – it may seem cliché, but I truly love “experiencing” all of the countries time and time again. I love dining at the different restaurants around the World and the drinks that come with it. My boyfriend and I only have 3 places in the World Showcase where we haven’t sat down to dine: Canada, the UK, and Germany.  

And of course last but not least, two attractions which add to Epcot being my favorite Disney theme park are Spaceship Earth and Soarin’ – I really can’t go to Epcot without riding them.

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 Loop should you happen to have to make a stop along the way and want to reboard:



1st Stop ~ Your Highway in the Sky 
2nd Stop ~ Magical Memory Planners
3rd Stop ~ Adventures of a Disney Princess
4th Stop ~ A Disney Mom’s Thoughts
Final Stop ~ Walt Disney World: It’s Not Just For Kids

Disney Dining: Via Napoli

After reading for almost a year about the new restaurant that was opening at Epcot's Italian Pavilion, I couldn't wait to try the pizza at Via Napoli. 

This past December, we were finally able to get a dining reservation (we tend to sometimes do things spur of the moment). I was ecstatic to say the least as I could not wait to try their wood oven pizza (I'm a big fan of Italian food). The restaurant on the inside and out is absolutely gorgeous! You can tell that they put a lot of time in the design of the place with the intricate details you see all around. 

The ambiance was great and the pizza was indeed delicious (we ordered the Piccante, which had spicy ground beef), however paying $40 for the pizza  was too much for me. I will say however, that if you are on the Disney Dining Plan, then it definitely is worth it! 

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

Disney Dining: La Hacienda de San Angel

On our New Year's trip to Disney last weekend we finally had the opportunity to eat at La Hacienda de San Angel, Disney's newest restaurant in the Mexico pavilion at Epcot. After a couple of months of trying to get dining reservations there, we were finally able to do so on New Year's Day!

I couldn't contain my excitement!

I for one love authentic Mexican food (and non-authentic as well), and La Hacienda de San Angel serves just that. You won't find just beef tacos and quesadillas on their menu. In fact the only tacos found on the menu are as appetizers and in the kids menu.

They start off by putting chips and salsa at your table (as do most Mexican restaurants). As an appetizer, my boyfriend and I ordered  the queso fundido. It was absolutely amazing! I strongly recommend going with this appetizer. As our main course we ordered "La Hacienda" Parrillada (serves 2 people for $49.95), which was a great deal and endless amount of delicious food. "La Hacienda"  is served on an cast iron platter and brings flank steak, chicken al pastor, chorizo and vegetables. It is served with beans and rice on the side.

Although all the meats in the platter were to die for, my favorites were the chicken al pastor and the chorizo (both were served in a chutney glaze).

So if you like authentic Mexican food, then La Hacienda de San Angel is just the place for you to dine at while at Epcot. Make sure to make dining reservations in advance as it fills up quickly and it is only open for dinner (starting at 4pm). If you'd like to look at their complete dinner menu you can do so 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!