I can’t believe that we’re starting another decade! As I was looking back on everything 2019 has brought, I feel immensely blessed. If you would like to see our highlights for this year, you can read my full post on my personal, lifestyle blog; A Thing or Two. I hope your year was just as wonderful and I hope that the next will be just as, if not more, fantastic. Happy New Year!
Have a magical day,
Amanda
It’s been quite some time since I’ve done a post on this blog. I’ve been busy with the holiday season, preparing my book for publication, marketing, vacation, and more! But, I’m not here to tell you how busy I’ve been. I’m here to share a little bit about our Florida trip. We took a not-so-Disney trip toward the middle of November and it was wonderful to enjoy warm weather again.
Since our annual passes expired last September, we haven’t had any Disney experiences in our lives since our last trip. To fix this dilemma, we spent our time enjoying the simplest Disney experiences. This included visiting the resorts, lots of Disney Springs, and wearing Mickey ears.
It wasn’t a super glamorous vacation, but it was relaxing and filled that Disney void perfectly. My favorite part? Seeing the Christmas decorations at the resorts, of course! I’m like a little child every time I see the beautiful trees, garland, and gingerbread sculptures in each of the resorts. I think my favorite trees are a tie between the Animal Kingdom Lodge (Jambo House), Wilderness Lodge, Yacht Club, and Grand Floridian. I just can’t decide.
Which resort tree is your favorite?
Of course, the resorts were just putting up their trees for the season, so a lot of them weren’t up yet. But, we did get to experience some of them. Don’t you just love the lobby of the Boardwalk during Christmas-time? Their garland is probably the best! Plus, the resort always smells wonderful but add the chocolate and gingerbread…oh, my! It’s magical!
Disney Springs was all decked out as well and their iconic Christmas music was playing throughout the area. We enjoyed lots of great food (which will be in a post very soon!) that we’ve never tried before, I got my favorite bath bombs from Basin, and just strolled around looking at everything.
We found this amazing smoothie place near where we were staying that we would visit pretty much every morning for breakfast. We rode the Skyliner for the first time with our cousins…it was awesome! We also went through the Christmas Tree Lot in DS and saw all the character trees.
Anyway, I’ll give you more details as I continue to write new posts. I’m excited for Christmas and our vacation only enhanced that excitement! I honestly think that (other than Hallmark, of course) Disney does Christmas the BEST!
What do you think?
I hope you all have a magical, Disney day!
Amanda
Though it may not be my favorite time in Disney, Autumn is certainly a great time to visit the parks. The weather starts to cool off a bit and you can usually find some new (sometimes rare) characters in the parks. This season is especially great because there are quite a few new things happening this Autumn 2019.
The Disney Skyliner Gondola System opened just two days ago! This gondola system travels from Art of Animation, Pop Century, Caribbean Beach, as well as the International Gateway at Epcot and Hollywood Studios.
The International Food and Wine Festival is in full swing until November 23rd. You can check out this year’s menus here.
Epcot Forever, the new (temporary) fireworks show that will be replacing Illuminations will be opening tonight. This show will provide new technology, soundtracks, and fireworks like you’ve never seen before.
A couple new restaurants have joined the ranks including Takumi Tei in Japan and Regal Eagle Smokehouse Craft Beers and Barbecue in America (Epcot).
If you’re going to Disney anytime soon, I hope you have a fantastic trip!
Have a magical Disney day,
Amanda
When I think of my best day ever in Disney, I think of one particular day…
The Flower and Garden Festival of 2017!
That day was so beautifully perfect that I wish I could go back and relive it. Or better yet, go again next year and make new memories!
I think this day was also pretty perfect…
What does your best day ever in Disney look like?
Have a magical Disney day,
Amanda
I was looking through some of our old Disney photos and it made me nostalgic. Here are just a few of my very favorites!
Can I go back, please?
What is your favorite Disney memory?
Have a magical Disney day,
Amanda
One of our favorite things about the Disney parks is that there are so many great photo opportunities. Who doesn’t love a good photo-op? Disney has become known for their famous Purple Walls and the Bubblegum Wall, but there are so many more hidden walls that just waiting to be found!
You Are Most Beautiful Wall
This wall is a hidden gem because it is so pretty but also a little hard to find. It is located inside the Harambe Market in Africa at the Animal Kingdom. You can find it way at the back and to your left.
Mosaic Wall and Prop Walls
The Mosaic wall is located near the tigers on the Maharajah Jungle Trek in Asia at the Animal Kingdom. There are also various “prop” walls throughout the Animal Kingdom that are very unique places to strike a pose!
Italy Staircase Wall
This isn’t technically a wall, but I think it is really pretty and it is located in a nice quiet corner of Italy which makes it the perfect place to get away from the crowds. And why not take a picture while you’re there?
Muppet Walls
These fun and colorful walls can be found in the Muppet Theater area in the Hollywood Studios.
Carousel of Progress Wall
This one of the more well known walls and it isn’t hard to see why with its fun pattern and colors. This wall is located at the Carousel of Progress ride in the Magic Kingdom. Now, you do have to get in line for this picture but if you don’t want to ride, it is easy to get back out. Be sure get the picture before the ride starts turning!
Bubblegum Wall
This is a pretty well known wall and it is located at the exit of Spaceship Earth in Epcot. Definitely a must-do because, who doesn’t love pink?
Rapunzel Wall
This is not an official wall but it definitely a great photo-op. It is located in Rapunzel’s tower area in Fantasyland. This is one of my favorite areas because it is usually a pretty quiet area and there are so many little details look for here, not to mention the pretty walls.
And last but not least,
Purple Walls
These walls are probably the most famous of all the Disney World walls. There is even an Instagram account for them! The solid purple wall, known as the wall that started it all, is the wall that sparked the love of Disney walls. They both can be found near the Tomorrowland Terrace in MK.
These are just a few of the many unique and hidden walls throughout the four parks. There are even some that we have heard of but haven’t found yet! So next time you’re wandering through Fantasyland or traipsing through the jungle, don’t forget to keep a look out for these Instagram worthy walls.
See ya real soon!
Julia
I thought since it’s been a while since I’ve introduced myself, I’d go ahead and do a post all about me. Here we go!
As you can see, I have many different interests. My life is pretty incredible and I love every minute of it!
What is something you’d like to share about yourself?
Thanks for getting to know me! Have a magical Disney day!
Amanda
Laughter has been proven to reduce stress and boost your immune system, so it is always a good idea to make time for a good laugh, especially if you are feeling down. So let’s have a laugh today, shall we?
“Laughter is timeless, imagination has no age, and dreams are forever.” ~ Walt Disney
Enjoy the rest of your beautiful day!
See ya real soon!
Julia
Disney bounding is so much fun! It allows you to use the outfits you have to create something that looks like a certain Disney character (or ride/attraction). For someone, like me, who loves dressing up as Disney characters but isn’t allowed to wear costumes to the parks, this is perfect. On our last few trips to Disney, we tried to bound as various characters. Here’s what it looked like…
What is your favorite character/ride to Disney bound as?
Have a magical Disney day!
Amanda
Epcot’s Festival of the Arts is one of the most popular festivals held in Epcot. With live Broadway performances, art murals, sidewalk art, and delicious food that is both pleasing to look at and eat, it isn’t hard to see why! Let’s take a look at what is new, and returning, to this year’s Festival of the Arts!
Food
Everyone’s favorite part of any of the Epcot festivals is trying the many, many delicious food items around the World Showcase.
Some returning favorites are:
Red Wine-braised Beef Short Rib with Parsnip Puree, Broccolini, Baby Tomatoes, and Aged Balsamic (Cuisine Classique), Deconstructed Strawberry Cheesecake with Fresh Florida Strawberries, Sugar Cookies, and Micro-basil (The Deconstructed Dish), and Almond Frangipane Cake layered with Raspberry Jam and Callebaut Belgian Chocolate (Pop Eats!)
Deconstructed Strawberry Cheesecake
Almond Frangipane Cake
Red Wine-braised Beef Short Rib
Some new favorites are:
Crystal Mooncake with Fruit Filling and Garnished with Toasted Coconut (The Painted Panda-China), Orange Honey Mousse with Peaches and Mint Marjoram Cream (L’Arte di Mangiare-Italy), and Chocoflan: a Creamy Mexican Custard and Chocolate Sponge Cake topped with Cajeta and Hazelnuts (The Hungry Artist-Mexico).
Chocoflan
Orange Honey Mousse
Crystal Mooncake
These are just a few of the many delicious food items offered this year.
Entertainment
The Disney on Broadway Concert Series is returning once again, now with performances seven days a week. Some of the performers include Arielle Jacobs, Adam Jacobs, Ashley Brown, Josh Strickland, and many more. So come join these broadway stars for a night of spectacular entertainment!
Also, throughout the whole World Showcase and Future World, you can see art come to life through living statues, sidewalk art, and even some unexpected places. There are art galleries in Japan, Morocco, China, American Adventure, Mexico, and Norway where you will be able to see art representing each culture.
There is also a chalk art gallery where you will be able to see talented artists create amazing art right at your feet!
Don’t forget to stop by the Expression Section: A Paint by Number Mural so you can unleash your inner artist!
I hope you all found this helpful and are now ready to inspire your heart with art at the Festival of the Arts!
See ya real soon!
Julia
Lights, Camera, Disney! 