Jacqueline McMahon, Author at Neverland Press

Ten Years of Magic-The Disney Parks Moms Panel!

September usually means one thing-back to school-unless you’re one of the thousands of people getting ready to apply for one of the coveted spots on the Disney Parks Moms Panel! This year, the search officially begins at noon on September 6th, 2017 and remains open for one week! Check out the application process at https://disneyparksmomspanel.disney.go.com

Get your fingers ready to hit the keyboard at noon on September 6th!

Started back in 2007, the Disney Parks Moms Panel is actually “an online forum of real parents who have mastered the art of planning a Disney Parks vacation.” Sound like you or someone you know? Then read on to find out ten things you might not have known about the Disney Parks Moms Panel as it celebrates its 10 year anniversary!

Wow-over 41,000 questions recently answered??

1. The Moms Panel isn’t actually made up of only moms!

The current group of panelists has 28 members. While many of them are moms-dads and grandparents are also represented! Any family member “in the know” is encouraged to apply! This diverse group of people not only hail from the US, but from Brazil, Canada…even the UK! This is important as the blog is available in multiple languages worldwide-English, Spanish, Portuguese and French! This busy group of people is required to respond to approximately 10-20 Disney questions per week, while also juggling families and other full-time jobs such as teachers, nurses, stay at home parents, and IT gurus!

2. You do need to be a Disney expert-but not about everything!

The Disney Parks Moms Panel offers five different specialties that prospective panelists can apply for-Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, runDisney and Disney Vacation Club. (If you’re wondering why I didn’t abbreviate some of these to the universally understood abbreviations-see #5!)

In order to apply, you need to have visited the Park of your choice within the last 12 months, or within the last 24 months if you’re applying for DCL or DVC.

When I applied for the first time back in 2014, it was on the heels of three back-to-back family trips. After months of planning and research, I felt more than qualified applying for Walt Disney World! Two years later, I had discovered running and had multiple runDisney challenge weekends under my belt. That year I applied for runDisney (which also fields questions related to ESPN) and made it to the second round!

3. Some people apply every year (and others make it their first time!)

You’ve heard of the phrase, “Faith, trust and pixie dust”, right? It is pretty much the mantra of the faithful Disney diehards who apply year after year. Many women have shared that they have applied from Year One, even if they have never advanced. Others advance some years and not others, with no apparent rhyme or reason. Some have even been finalists-more than once-but have never made the Panel. The truth is-I have no idea how they narrow it down with each applicant so uniquely qualified!

What keeps them (me!) coming back is not only their passion for Disney, but the camaraderie that comes from finding your people! And if someone chooses not to apply, it’s usually not because they are discouraged. (Though rejection is tough!) It often is a result of being ineligible that year, either because they didn’t have a qualifying trip or they found a job helping people access Disney a different way-as a travel agent!

Sometimes, though, the Force is With You! My friend Lindsey Morris, who represents runDisney this year, was accepted into the panel her very first try. Who says dreams don’t come true???

4. You don’t need a big social media presence, but it doesn’t hurt!

The first year I applied, I have to admit I felt a little out of my league. So many seemed more media-savvy than me, with only my Facebook account. Blogs, Instagram, podcasts…it was overwhelming. I just reminded myself that good writing is good writing, and applied anyway. (I’ve since found out that there have been prior finalists that have never had as much as a Facebook account!!)

Then I was invited to blog for Neverland Press. To increase our exposure, I taught myself how to Instagram, and cultivated a Disney-specific following. This increased our audience, and put me in touch with tons of like-minded Disney people, but didn’t exactly increase my chances of being chosen for the Disney Parks Moms Panel.

What actually helped? I also joined two very active Facebook pages devoted to the Disney Parks Moms Panel search-Disney Parks Moms Panel Hopefuls! and Amazing Adventures of the Disney Parks Moms Panel Search! Both are filled with awesome women (and men!) who chEAR each other on every step of the way! Besides sharing tips and insights, they also are willing to share their responses and videos (if you’re lucky enough to make it that far!) once each round closes. I strongly recommend these groups…the support and pixie dust is unlike anything I’ve ever seen, and friendships have flourished both online and in real life as a result!

5. You do need to be a stickler for grammar and proper nomenclature.

If your responses are going to be read by potentially thousands of people, they need to be grammatically correct! This goes beyond the proper use of your/you’re and its/it’s! Obviously, it goes without saying that proper spelling, punctuation and verb tense is a must…but what is this “proper nomenclature” business?

Nomenclature refers to the correct, full name of Disney’s various resorts, attractions and Parks. Rebranding happens often…so don’t make the mistake of referring to Disney Springs by its previous name of Downtown Disney! Likewise, it might always be MGM to you, but it’s been Disney’s Hollywood Studios now for years! You may have met friends for drinks at the Poly before riding Big Thunder, but your application will most likely be dismissed if you don’t use Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad correctly! LOL! “Cinderella’s Castle” is another common mistake…many don’t realize the correct name does not include the apostrophe-it is simply Cinderella Castle!

This actually creates an additional challenge for applicants. Using proper nomenclature shows that you really know your stuff, BUT it also takes up valuable word count space! You see, responses are typically limited to just 100 words, so if you have to write out Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party multiple times instead of using the acronym MVMCP, you can see just how carefully you have to choose your remaining words! Panelists have to write with brevity without compromising their content-not an easy task! (I remember taking a lot of pride in the fact that I used exactly all 100 of my allotted words for each response! LOL!)

Bottom right corner of my application-0 words left!

6. The application process has multiple rounds.

Applying to be a finalist for the Disney Parks Moms Panel is not a one and done. There are multiple rounds, and it varies from year to year! Last year the first round took place online. Each applicant had one week to submit answers to five questions, each with a 100 word limit. The first question was a general one about family, but the remaining questions were related to the specialty area you chose. (Mine were about runDisney-I was literally giddy answering them!)

Excited to apply again for the Class of 2018!

On October 3rd, just a few weeks after Round 1 closed, prospective finalists found out if they made it to the next round-cue chEARing, weeping, clapping, consoling. All the feels. Emotions ran high, but the overall takeaway was support. If you didn’t advance-you started rooting for those who did.

I was lucky enough to advance-my first time in Round 2! This round would also be open another week, but this time there was more to do! In addition to another five questions about your specialty with the same 100 word limit, you were given a sample question to answer as if you already were on the Moms Panel! (Same 100 word limit though-being concise is a skill you really need to rely on!) AND…you needed to supply your phone number…you know…just in case they select YOU for a phone interview in Round 3!!! Eeeek!

Advancing to Round 2 was an amazing feeling!

But what really strikes fear in the hearts of these Disney dreamers is the dreaded video component! Prospective panelists have to answer a final question-in a 60 second video! It’s both a fun and terrifying experience…trying to be yourself and answer the question (without bloopers!) while juggling the technology and time constraints! I must have done 20 takes (all wearing my runDisney ears, of course!) before I had something I was willing to submit! Though I did not advance, I learned a lot from the experience and am already brainstorming ideas for this year’s video!

7. It’s a numbers game! Shhhh!!!

This is the fun part. Much of this is speculation and I make no claims that the information in this section is accurate! LOL! The truth is-Disney has been very hush hush regarding hard data regarding the Panel Search. And guess what? Our past and current Panelists aren’t dishing, either!!

So…let’s talk total number of applicants. On a given year, people have speculated that anywhere between 10,000-25,000 people apply for the Moms Panel. Wow!!! 20,000 is the number that comes up most often, and if that’s in the ballpark, then no wonder it makes the speculated 250-500 people who make it to Round 2 feel like they have achieved a huge accomplishment! Even my congratulatory email read, “The field has narrowed significantly and your achievement is definitely something to celebrate!” I know I certainly did!

There is also no set number for each new “class”. Some years the Disney Parks Mom Panel welcomes as few as ten new members, other years they have welcomed as many as 22! In addition, some panelists are invited to stay on a second year, so the newbies get to benefit from their veteran counterparts! This past year, the twelve new members of the “Class of 2017” joined the returning 16 for a total of 28 panelists.

8. Training takes place at Walt Disney World!

One of the criteria for applying is availability for the posted training dates, which this year are listed as November 29th-December 3rd. And guess what? The training takes place on property at Walt Disney World!

Judging from the Instagram and Facebook posts, as well as blogs and youtube videos, their indoctrination is nothing short of magical! In addition to class time, the Disney Parks Moms Panel hit all the Parks-rides, fireworks, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Tiffins, Night of Joy-all the bells and whistles! Whistle while you work, indeed…!

Cinderella Castle lit up for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party! (See what I did there??)

9. You do get compensated…but it may not be with money!

As if five days of training onsite isn’t enough, Disney Parks Moms Panelists are also promised a Disney trip or park tickets for them and up to three family members! While the “fine print” is vague (…a trip to a Disney Destination!) what is most interesting is what isn’t said! Can panelists choose Walt Disney World or Disneyland? How long is their stay? What level accommodations are they offered? If you serve for more than a year, do you earn two trips? Why do some people appear to only earn park tickets when others earn trips? We may never know the answers to these questions…unless we become panelists ourselves! 😉

Any other pixie-dusted perks? Heck, yeah! Back in June, the new panelists went on a Familiarization trip to see what was new for Summer 2017! (Can you say Pandora-The World of Avatar?) How amazing would that be to ride Avatar Flights of Passage with a dozen of your closest friends?? I can only imagine what other perks, swag or special experiences they may be entitled to, but none more important than being part of the Disney family and helping others plan their magical trips!

10. You will have a once in a lifetime experience you will never forget!

As fellow Disney lovers, I don’t think you need to be a Disney Parks Moms Panelist to grasp what a once in a lifetime opportunity this would be! So clear your schedule for September 6th, study your nomenclature and get ready to share your Disney joy and expertise with the world! (In 100 words or less!)

Jacqueline lives in Southbury, CT with her husband, two children and cat, Rocky Road. She is excited to run the Dark Side Challenge with her family this April, and definitely plans to once again apply to the Disney Parks Moms Panel.

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Five Ways to Beat the Heat at Disney World!

Thousands of people plan to hit Disney World every summer and always want to know-just how hot will it be in Florida in the summer? Hot. Very hot. Relentlessly hot. And humid. Very humid. The kind of humidity that brings the rain but doesn’t cool everything off!

Does that mean you should never plan a June, July or August visit? Of course not! With some simple planning and preparation you can enjoy Disney any time of year-just don’t forget your sunscreen!

Here are five ways you can beat the heat at Disney Parks this summer!

1. Strategize the Day

Do your homework and go in informed! Park hours are published well in advance, and most days one of the parks has Extra Magic Hours, or EMH. If you are staying onsite, this means you can enter a park an hour early, or stay later, depending on the day! Not only will showing up for park opening (“rope drop”) keep you away from the worst of the mid-day heat, but the lines are shorter, so you can do more in a shorter period of time!

Ready for the Magic Kingdom before the sun even rises!

Night owls can also use this to their advantage! Hit the parks once the sun goes down and stay through the later hours. If you’re willing to miss the evening parades and fireworks, you can also ride the most popular rides with minimal waits! Less park time means less potential for overheating, too!

2. All the Right Gear

Amazon Prime and other local delivery stores like Garden Grocer can deliver a variety of hydration options right to your hotel room! So much easier than shlepping your own! Hydrate early and often-water, Gatorade, coconut water…whatever floats your boat! If you’re able to freeze your water bottles prior to the park, they will stay cold for hours, too! CamelBak backpacks are also a great hands-free option for holding beverages of your choice! Forgot your water? No worries-any Quick Service restaurant or cart is required to provide you a complimentary cup of ice water at no charge-just ask! (Hint: Dole Whips, Mickey Bars, and LeFou’s Brews count, too!)

LeFou’s Brew at Gaston’s Tavern in Fantasyland!

Cooling gadgets are also very popular in the Parks. There are misting fans, portable hand-held fans and even fans that clip on to strollers! One year I even found a fan that you could wear as a necklace for my son! Of course, the Parks would be happy to sell you these at a premium, but these are easily found at Targets, Walmarts and pharmacies back home for a fraction of the price! Frogg Toggs are also big sellers…reusable cloths that you activate by getting wet. These “cooling cloths” can be draped around your neck and even worn around your wrist to keep you cool.

Misting fans, portable fan and cooling wrist strap!

Heat can also bring out the worst in us, and make our youngest (and not so young!) travelers extremely irritable and cranky. Moisture wicking clothes, comfortable shoes and sunscreen that won’t melt into your eyes are also musts when you’re battling high temps and humidity. (Can you say “meltdown”??)

Cool comfortable clothes with plenty of sunscreen! (Bonus points if you’re coordinated, as well!)

3. Take a Mid-Day Break

A favorite way to beat the heat is to head back to your resort during the hottest part of the day! Whether you are recharging, refueling or just plain relaxing, this is the way to go! Little ones can take their naps, older kids can get some pool time, and grown-ups can enjoy some adult beverages!

Waterslide at the Wilderness Lodge pool!

Cocktails at the Trout Pass pool bar…ahhh….!

Transportation can make or break this option, so choose wisely! If you will be spending the bulk of your time at Magic Kingdom, resorts on the monorail loop (Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Contemporary) can get you there and back the quickest! Resorts with a single bus stop like Pop Century and Wilderness Lodge are convenient, too. Remember, whether you’re taking a bus or driving your own car, just give yourself enough travel time in either direction. You don’t want to have to worry about making that dining reservation when you should be catching some zzz’s poolside…!

Late night on the bus home from Magic Kingdom…

4. Air Conditioned Attractions

If you’re a die-hard Disney fan who rocks the Parks from dawn ’til dusk, then what? Head to one of the many air-conditioned attractions in each Park! Magic Kingdom boasts quite a few…from Mickey’s Philharmonic to the iconic Carousel of Progress! You can ride the newly redesigned Soarin’ and watch Pixar Short Films in Epcot, and see amazing shows like Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo-the Musical in Animal Kingdom. At Hollywood Studios you can enjoy the Frozen Sing-Along and Voyage of the Little Mermaid from the comfort of your air conditioned theater seat!

Festival of the Lion King at Animal Kingdom

The key is finding attractions that can hold a lot of people and traditionally have minimal to no wait time! So whether you’re riding the People Mover in Magic Kingdom or Living with the Land in Epcot, take a deep breath, take a swig from your water bottle and give the kids some Goldfish! Chill, baby, chill!

5. In Park Restaurants

Are you a Park Warrior who prides herself on multi-tasking? The final way to stay cool (and keep your cool!) is booking in-park meals! Bonus points if you score a character meal! You can kill three birds with one stone-food, air conditioning, characters! First, food is the cure-all for most things! You haven’t left the Park and you get a full belly, and as many refillable drinks as you want! (Ice, Ice, Baby!!) Second, you’re in blissful AC. You’re off your feet, charging your phone…life is good! Third, character meals mean that the kids are happy and occupied, and these meals tend to take longer as you wait for the characters to fully make their rounds! (You also won’t have to wait in a long, hot line to meet these same characters around the Park!)

Eeyore at the Crystal Palace in Magic Kingdom!

Every park has sit-down character meals, some more than one! Our faves include Crystal Palace and Cinderella’s Royal Table in Magic Kingdom (Be Our Guest is awesome, too, but Beast only meets for dinner, and doesn’t come to you!) and Tusker House in Animal Kingdom. Epcot boasts two-Akershus and Garden Grill. Hollywood and Vine is the place for Disney Jr. fans to eat in Hollywood Studios. You’ll get out of the heat for an hour or two, and hit the parks refreshed and well hydrated!

A visit from Daisy at Tusker House in Animal Kingdom!

Bonus Tip…

So, you came, you saw (and sweated), you conquered Disney World! In spite of the heat, you had an amazing trip. If you find yourself wishing you could come back…maybe when it wasn’t quite so hot…I have a final tip for you! Book a Bounceback Offer! What’s that? you ask. A “bounce back” is a future Disney trip that you book while you are still currently a guest. It typically offers a discounted room or free dining for pre-selected dates within the next year. Check all that paperwork in your room…it’s usually hiding on a flyer in there! You can also call x8844 from your room phone to ask about current offers! But don’t wait to book until after you leave…bounce backs are only valid while you’re still checked in to Disney property!

Look at those little faces…don’t you want to go back??

Got it? Sunscreen, water bottles, fans and Frogg Toggs-you’re ready! You can beat the heat-Disney style! See ya real soon!

Jacqueline McMahon lives in Southbury, CT with her husband, two children and cat, Rocky Road. She is a runDisney enthusiast and autism mama. You can follow her on Instagram at @morphingintominnie.

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Pirates League-Mermaids, Makeovers and More!

Ahoy there, Mateys! Is your child obsessed with all things pirate? Are you? Are you jealous you missed Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow in Disneyland recently? Me, too! Pirates League is a fun-for-all-ages experience found in Adventureland in Magic Kingdom…and will turn any landlubber into a fearsome pirate or mesmerizing mermaid!

Mermaid makeover photo op at the castle!

My daughter loves Princesses and everything sparkly, but after two makeovers at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in Cinderella Castle, she was ready for something new! Pirates League offered all kinds of makeovers, for both boys and girls, kids and adults! This was perfect, as we also have a son with autism, and wanted to find an experience that he could participate in, too!

Planning and Preparation

Like many of Disney’s experiences, Pirates League makeovers can be booked 180 days in advance. Since they are only open 9:00-4:00, there is no opportunity to book a pre-park opening appointment, so think about how it will fit into your day. (Right before your Splash Mountain Fastpass may not be ideal! LOL!) At 180 days out, they had no problem accommodating both children at our preferred time, so book early if you want first dibs!

Next, we had to choose a package. For girls, you can choose a Mermaid or Empress (female pirate) package. Boys can choose between First Mate Pirate packages or Captain Hook himself! Younger boys (ages 3 and up) also have the option to be made up as Jake from the popular Neverland Pirates Disney Junior show! Most packages also had a “deluxe” option, where for $15-$55 more you could add a themed costume or costume T-shirt! (Clothes were only provided in “youth” sizes…adults are out of luck!)

For our daughter, Lola, we chose the basic Mermaid package for $39.95. (The packages range from $39.95-$99.95!) It included hair, nails and make-up, and we already had scored an adorable mermaid dress off of zulily, so we didn’t feel we needed to upgrade to the Deluxe Package. (And I think we got off pretty easy…The Captain Hook Deluxe Package will run you just about $100!)

For my son, Luke, we had some different criteria. Being on the spectrum, he had some sensory issues, so we brought a familiar pirate T-shirt from home. Though he agreed to and was excited about the makeover, we also weren’t sure just how long he’d be willing to sit, so we wanted to keep his simple. We ultimately booked the First Mate package. That meant we still had to choose between a Ghosted Pirate, Zombie Pirate, Captain Hook, Blackbeard and Black Eyed Jack! We chose Blackbeard because it had minimal make-up, and we still wanted him to look handsome! (Okay-that’s just me! I wasn’t ready to see my baby looking like a ghostly skull or zombie pirate yet!)

Swearing In Ceremony

As requested, we showed up 15 minutes prior to our appointment time to check in. The location was easy to find…right between Pirates of the Caribbean and the Plaza del Sol Bazaar in Adventureland. The check-in area had awesome theming…ships’ wheels, leather trunks, all kinds of loot and pirate flags flying!

Both kids were checked in, and then my pirate-to-be was asked to spin the ship’s wheel to find out his pirate name.

He spun it twice, once for the first name and once for the last.

Ship’s wheel to determine his pirate name!

It turns out his pirate name was Jamie Barrelwalker! The oath (signed by Captain Jack Sparrow himself!) was read, and Luke…I mean Jamie…was sworn into the Pirate’s League! Within just a few minutes both kids were invited in to start their makeovers!

We got to take this home as an awesome souvenir!

Mermaid Makeover

Lola’s Mermaid Master was very engaging-telling pirate jokes and stories and keeping her at ease! She got right to work painting Lola’s nails after covering her mermaid dress with a cape to stay clean. Just like at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, the unused makeup goes home with you in a little bag!

Next she started right in on her hair. The hairstyle is simple, but very pretty! The hair is twisted around her face and secured with a flower clip that responds to temperature, with a dusting of glitter. (Of course!) In the air-conditioned space, it was white. Once out in the hot Florida sun, you will see it turn purple!

(Much better behaved than when I try to do her hair!)

Now the fun part-makeup! I loved the palette of colors they use, and it matches the nail polish perfectly! (I’m a sucker for matchy-matchy!) I could not wait to see how they added the special “scales” effect for the mermaids-but my timing was off! I looked away for a second to check on my son, and as soon as I turned back her scales had been added…so the mystery remains unsolved!

Once complete, they removed the cape for the big reveal! Lola was so excited to see her reflection! She was also given a Pirate’s League sash and a shell necklace, which I held onto because she was already wearing one from home.

Finally, Lola posed with her awesome Cast Member before she was allowed to enter the hidden chamber…shhhhhh!

First Mate/Blackbeard Makeover

Luke lucked out with the perfect Pirate Master! Knowing Luke had autism, he spent the first few minutes just developing a rapport with him and making sure he felt comfortable. Lots of smiles all around!

The Blackbeard package, like many of the other pirate makeovers, called for eyeliner. Our sensory-sensitive son was a trooper, and allowed it. We were happily surprised!

There was also no fussing when his bandanna was affixed, his eyepatch added and even when a clip-on earring was attached to his ear! He was also given a Pirates League sash and a plastic sword. I don’t know what kind of Disney magic they were dealing in, but it was working!

The only snafu was the facial fair. Blackbeard called for both a beard and a mustache to be added to the face. Luke was going through a phase where no one or nothing was allowed to touch his nose or his upper lip after a nose bleed over the winter. When it was clear this wasn’t an option, I asked about the possibility of just adding the beard. This part turned out to be pretty interesting…since it was a trademarked look, based on Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow, they were not at liberty to modify it! Who knew?? Even so, Luke was pretty taken with his new pirate look!

Secret Chamber

After their makeovers were complete, both kids were invited (separately!) into a hidden chamber they referred to as the Treasure Room! A Photopass photographer was there to capture the moment as they spun the over-sized globe and chose a treasure from the chest!

Though it is confirmed that there is no longer a Photopass photographer available inside Pirates League, there is frequently one stationed just outside by the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. More interestingly, recent guests report some varying experiences inside the Treasure Room. Some have been invited by Cast Members to take pictures and video, while others have been told it is forbidden. I would suggest bringing your own camera and asking very nicely! 🙂

Park Photo Ops

At the time, Pirates League invited all their guests to return each afternoon at 4:00 for a “Pirate Parade”. They would march through Adventureland with a Cast Member holding a pirate flag, showing off their new looks. We declined, as parades aren’t my son’s thing, but we understand they are no longer doing this.

However, we did have a lunch reservation at Be Our Guest, so after we rode Pirates of the Caribbean, we took our time traveling from Adventureland to Fantasyland! Between our camera and Photopass we got some great shots of the kids dressed up by Cinderella Castle and the fountain, as well as Main Street, USA!

The hair clip changed from white to purple in the Florida heat!

Though the Pirates League makeover didn’t last three days like the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique version, it provided a full day of fun for both my little mermaid and pirate! I would even consider joining her myself next time! Yo-ho! Yo-ho! A pirate’s life for me!

Rivers of Light-A Must Do…or One and Done?

My co-blogger Jessica Holmes and I have a lot in common. We are both passionate about family, Disney, runDisney and Dole Whips! We also both love the nighttime entertainment in all the Disney Parks! Jessica loves all the big spectaculars like Fantasmic and Illuminations, and I love Wishes and everything fireworks!

Over the last two months, we were both lucky enough to experience the brand-new nighttime show at Animal Kingdom-Rivers of Light. We both agreed that it was beautiful, and that the park is gorgeous after dark! However, we did disagree about one thing…Jessica believes that Rivers of Light is a “must do” every time, while I think it’s more of a “one and done” experience you can check off your Disney Bucket List! Read on and weigh in!

Getting Tickets

Jacqueline My friend Tiffany and I were literally in the final stages of planning for our upcoming runDisney Princess weekend when we heard that tickets for Rivers of Light were being released during our visit! Even though our spreadsheet had been set for months, we frantically moved our ADRs around in order to reserve a dining package at one of our favorite restaurants, Tusker House. (The other option was to get a Fastpass…but we didn’t want to mess with our Expedition Everest line up!)

After an awesome lunch (and of course photo ops with Safari Daisy and the rest of the gang) we were handed our tickets. At the time of booking, they were only advertising the first show at 7:15, but eventually added a second show (now at 9:15) … due to popular demand!

Jessica As soon as the Rivers of Light dining packages were announced, I booked a breakfast at Tusker House for the morning after the Star Wars 5k. We had been to the restaurant a few times and knew that we enjoyed it, and like Jacqueline, I didn’t want to use a FastPass. I figured this was the best possible way to see the show.

Upon arriving at the restaurant, we were given instructions about what time to return, and we were also given a light-up lotus flower popcorn bucket that could be filled at the show for $1.50. We goofed off (and snuggled) with our pals, and enjoyed a delicious breakfast.

Checking In and Pre-Show

Jacqueline Cast Members told us we needed to check-in no later than 7:00 for our 7:15 performance. Since we were childless and there was only the two of us (we can squeeze!) we really pushed the envelope! We snuck away to Tamu Tamu Refreshments to grab Dole Whips with rum to enjoy during the show. By the time we got back…at 7:00 on the dot…lines for people with Fastpasses were wrapped everywhere, and the lines for people waiting on Stand-By were even longer! The dining package tickets were really the way to go! We walked right up to a Cast Member and were seated immediately. It was tight-we were one of the last to arrive-but our seats and visibility were still great. (And FYI…we did NOT get the very cool lotus flower popcorn bucket at lunch!! LOL!)

Dole Whips with rum enhance every experience!

Jessica We were advised to return an hour early for the show. We did, and we had our choice of seats – the area we were directed to was mostly empty. I enjoyed relaxing and taking pictures as the sun slowly went down. There was no pre-show entertainment, but there was a PhotoPass photographer who came and took pictures of anyone who wanted one. By the time the show started, the seating area was packed.

I loved relaxing and taking in the beautiful surroundings!

Rivers of Light

Jacqueline As the sun went down it was so cool to see the Tree of Life turn into a backdrop for a projection show. Birds migrating, elephants trumpeting…the technology was amazing! The lotus flower floats began moving in harmony, music played and dancers appeared out of nowhere!

Then came all the different water features…animals appearing on a “screen” of water, lotus flowers rotating and spraying fountains, and animal floats that looked as if they were made out of stained glass-gorgeous. It was truly mesmerizing.

A peacock projected on the water screen.

Jessica I can’t wait to see Rivers of Light again! While it didn’t move me the way that IllumiNations does, I thought it was beautiful and so much fun to photograph. I loved that there were projections on the nearby trees, and the finale was breathtaking. I loved the animal floats (especially the turtles!), and I feel like there were probably other details that I missed the first time. The main complaint that I heard was that it didn’t have a cohesive story the way that the other shows do. It has an overarching theme of “we are one” that I thought was great.

I simply love being in Animal Kingdom at night! I’m so glad that there is a nighttime show here now, and I think the amphitheater is gorgeous, too. I love that area of the park. Having a show to go to really adds to the whole nighttime vibe and gives guests a reason to stay (or come to the park later).

The Verdict?

Jacqueline Rivers of Light was gorgeous and packed a lot of imagery in just fifteen minutes. I couldn’t help but marvel at this feast for the eyes…even when I couldn’t follow the storyline. Would I go again? Yes, but only to take my children so they could experience it for themselves. Once. (Assuming we could get a dining package again…I don’t think any of us would be willing to wait in that line! LOL!)

Dancers on a boat tell the story of “We are one.”

And while I appreciate their commitment to keep the show true to Animal Kingdom’s mission of preserving nature, I know my own children would have loved to have seen some Disney favorites like Simba and Rajah incorporated into the show. You know…kind of like Festival of the Lion King on water. 😉 As for me, I’ll take advantage of the empty park to ride Expedition Everest in the dark-my new Animal Kingdom Bucket List item!

No PhotoPass photographer in the show for us, but many were stationed around the Tree of Life!

Jessica I love nighttime shows. Sitting down at the end of a long day with a bucket of popcorn or a Mickey bar and watching a show is something I always look forward to. It has become ingrained as a part of my Disney traditions. IllumiNations is my favorite – I could watch it every night. I connected with it the first time I saw it, and I usually see it more than once if I am on a week-long trip. On most trips, it’s my first night tradition – the thing that makes me feel like I’m finally home. The soundtracks for all of the nighttime spectaculars are regularly played in my car, and my trips aren’t complete without seeing them!

Does Rivers of Light measure up to the others? I don’t think it’s quite as spectacular, but it is beautiful, and it’s one that I will watch again. Not to mention that by being at Animal Kingdom after dark, you get an incredible ride on Everest and you get to see the Tree of Life come alive!

Adulting at Disney-5 Reasons to Leave the Kids at Home!

The first time I left the kids (and the hubby, for that matter!) to go to Disney with a friend, I didn’t feel a bit guilty. I really needed it. It was the first time I had gotten away solo since my oldest was born a decade before. Like many moms, I worked two full-time jobs…one outside of the home, one in it. (And I didn’t get pay for the more demanding job-you moms can guess which one!) You could say this trip was well-deserved!

The second time I went to Disney childless (and yes, again husbandless!) I did feel a small frisson of guilt. It was Mother’s Day weekend after all, and here I was cavorting again with Mickey and Minnie, 2,000 miles away! The kids were still supportive, but not quite as much! LOL!

Character meet and greets are fun for grown-ups, too!

Before you judge me for being a terrible and self-centered mommy, you need to know that my kids haven’t wanted for much. In the last three years, they have visited Disney four times…three visits to Disney World in Florida, and one to Disneyland in California. They have more Disney tees, refillable mugs and Stitch plush than you can count!

What they don’t always get is the chance to tag along for every trip-and that’s okay! Here are five guilt-free reasons why a child-free trip to Disney is THE BEST!

5. No Scheduling Snafus

During our first family trip, I mapped out our itinerary with the precision of a general executing a military drill. Not just Fastpasses and ADRs, but wake-ups, built in rest periods, pool time, travel times, staggered bedtimes…you name it. After all, the “ticking time bombs”, aka my two children, needed to be fed and watered regularly. (Didn’t I just feed you two yesterday???) Naps were a thing of the past at six and eight, but nothing can prepare you for those first exhausting rope-drop to Kiss Goodnight days at Magic Kingdom!

Crashing hard after a full day in the parks!

When I travel with my girlfriend, Tiffany, it is a totally different story! We are not “fly by the seat of our pants” travelers by any means. We still make our dining reservations religiously 180 days in advance, and Fastpasses at 60 days out. The difference? If we pack bathing suits and then decide not to swim (we never even saw the pool at Port Orleans Riverside!) no one has a meltdown! If we see a rare character that we want to meet with a ridiculously long line, we just wait! No frantically pawing through my backpack to see if I have enough Goldfish and crayons to weather the storm.

Two hour wait? Sure! All we have is time…!

Also, when I travel with my kids, they are go-go-go! They might agree to ride the PeopleMover, if only to eat a quick snack and get out of the sun for a few minutes, but people watching? No way! So when I happened to find myself alone for a few hours at Magic Kingdom, I was able to scratch something off my bucket list. A tour of Cinderella Castle? The Keys to the Kingdom Tour? you may ask. No, just a stop at the Main Street Bakery for my Iced Chai Latte to be enjoyed on the hub grass while the Festival of Fantasy parade passes by! Sometimes it’s the little things…!

4. Easier Dining Decisions

I was going to be the mom whose kids ate everything…and I have failed miserably! LOL! Criteria for choosing restaurants at Disney largely hinges on the question, “Can you make a grilled cheese?”. Don’t get me wrong… we have been able to take our children to some awesome restaurants. They love the buffets and can usually find something they like, especially if it’s dessert! We have been able to eat pizza at Via Napoli and cheeseburgers at Whispering Canyon Cafe. But some more grownup-oriented dining options have eluded us for sure!

Grown-up pizza…kids ordered cheese, of course!

Traveling with other adults opens up a whole world of other possibilities! And I’m not even talking about the ultra-pricey and exclusive Victoria & Albert’s, though some day that would be lovely! Dining child-free means you can skip a meal if you want to. Or you can decide on the fly that a baked potato from Sleepy Hollow for a snack credit sounds like the perfect lunch! Or simply having the flexibility to change plans at the last minute. This happened to us when my friend woke up not feeling well one morning. I just showed up solo at Garden Grill while my friend rested… much less complicated than regrouping around a sick little one.

Two years ago, we traveled to Disney over our 19th anniversary. We had been to ‘Ohana for breakfast with the kids, but wanted to have an adults-only celebratory dinner. You see, my daughter is a vegetarian who doesn’t eat vegetables, and my son lives on pizza, so the “meat-on-a-stick” menu wasn’t going to work for them. What’s a parent to do? We found a win/win…we booked them for the Poly’s Kid Club! (Now Lilo’s Playhouse!) They played games, made crafts, and yes…ate pizza, while we enjoyed our beef, pork and most importantly, Lapu Lapus!

In addition to a host of fabulous restaurants, Epcot also has amazing food kiosks during seasonal special events. When we visited as a family during the Flower and Garden Festival, the kids were impatient and wanted sit-down meals…none of this “tapas” BS. The only special treat we were able to score was the Dole Whip with rum (which is pretty much my favorite!) so we had to settle for that. When I attended the Food & Wine Festival after running Wine & Dine, we had a veritable feast! Filet mignon and cheese soup from Canada, Apple Pie frozen cocktails in Poland…and yes, more of those delicious Dole Whip with rum floats!

Dole Whip rum floats at the Food & Wine Festival!

3. More Attractive Attractions

I’ll admit it-my kids are adrenaline junkies. They rode Tower of Terror at six and eight and never looked back. Our Fastpass selections are primarily made up of multiple coasters and they argue the merits of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at Hollywood Studios vs. California Screamin’ at California Adventure! In fairness, I love all these, too. Except maybe not for every single ride. Over and over. Until the park closes. And again the next day.

When I visit the Parks without my children, I’m able to go on some rides for the first time! We had never seen Mickey’s Philharmonic-we were too busy racing off to Big Thunder Mountain-but I wandered in one afternoon during an adults-only trip to take a break from the heat. It was fabulous! Fun, funny and very engaging…I can’t wait to take my kids now! Same with It’s Tough to Be a Bug. I had never contemplated it before because reviews suggested that kids with sensory issues may be scared. Now I know my son will love the gross-out humor! (However, I think it was a “one-and-done” for Tiffany! LOL!)

2. Run, Run runDisney Races

After running my first three runDisney challenge weekends, I wanted to get my family in on the fun. This was especially true for my at-the-time nine year-old daughter, Lola. I was so excited when my she agreed to train to run the Neverland 5K with me in Disneyland for Tinker Bell Weekend! It was a totally different story when it came time for the 3:00 a.m. wake-up call, and that was with the three hour time difference in our favor!

Running at least one runDisney race should be mandatory for every woman, regardless of age, shape or level of fitness. It is a once in a lifetime experience (that for many of us becomes an addiction!) that is so empowering and female-focused that it’s hard to put into words. Tiffany and I have now completed five challenge weekends together, and come back refreshed ready to resume our busy lives. Our motto? We’ll sleep when we’re dead! LOL!

While I wouldn’t change my bonding experience with my daughter for anything, running a runDisney race solo or with a friend (or friends!) is an amazing experience! Getting up before the sun, seeing the Parks in a whole new way, and celebrating with champagne at the finish line are just a few of the reasons to runDisney child-free!

Cheers to my co-blogger and friend Jessica after the Wine & Dine Half!

1. Drinking Around the World

Okay, let’s face it. You can only visit so many KidCot stops in Epcot before someone realizes that you and your hubby are trying to keep the kids busy while you surreptitiously try to sample a drink in every one of Epcot’s countries! They colored multiple Duffys on sticks and had their Epcot passport books stamped while we took turns rushing around ordering Rose Margaritas in Mexico and Grand Marnier slushies in France!

Passports can be purchased at Epcot-so fun!

An adults-only trip allows you a more leisurely, responsible way to indulge! Not to mention you might even get to wander in a shop or two…something I never managed to do with two kids in tow! (And it’s how I finally discovered the amazing Laila perfume in Norway!)

Coordinating my Grand Marnier cocktail with my Cheers Sparkle Skirt!

In truth, one of the greatest joys of my life has been introducing my children to Disney…but I have to admit, an adults-only trip is a close second! Pack a carry-on bag and your lipstick and leave the Goldfish at home-you’re going to Disney! I mean-someone has to eat these lobster nachos…and I know my kids won’t!

Our fave-Lobster Nachos with fresh jalopenos!

Jacqueline lives in Southbury, CT with her husband, two children and cat. You can follow her on Instagram at @morphingintominnie.