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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.

Disney Souvenirs-Bringing Home the Magic!

One of the only things that makes leaving Disney World or Disneyland a tiny bit easier after a fabulous trip is taking some of the magic home with you! Souvenirs are often a great and inexpensive way to keep your vacation memories alive, at least until you can book your next trip “home”! Here are some of my favorites from both parks!

Inscribed “Princess Jacqueline” button gifted by a Cast Member!

Ear Hats

Nothing says, “I’m going to Disney World!” like a pair of Mickey ears! Ear hats are a rite of passage-for young and old! You will be amazed at the sheer variety! You will see everything from Baby’s First Ears to Maleficent horns, and everything in between!

Disney Parks has their own collection of ear hats that are available in the parks, on the Disney Store website and on the Shop Disney Parks app. Many people buy them from home and bring them into the parks, but if you purchase your ear hat from Le Chapeau in the Magic Kingdom, you can even have your ears personalized!

Embroidered “Luke” ears with ear hats from both coasts!

If you are crafty, there are a million tutorials out there to create your own ears. If you are like me (not crafty at all) then you have etsy! Etsy is THE place to find customized ears for any occasion, at every price point. Some of my fave Etsy shops include MakeMeMinnie, ModernMouse Boutique, the Bow Mama and HappilyEverAfterbyPatti.

Some of my favorite custom ears from etsy!

Park Buttons

Celebrating a birthday or a wedding? Maybe you just graduated or are celebrating an anniversary! Tell a Cast Member-you may be gifted a free park button! Park buttons are available both in the resorts at check-in and in the parks, usually City Hall! The designs vary from year to year, but First Visit, Birthday and Celebration buttons are always plentiful!

Sometimes a Cast Member will surprise you with a button! While waiting in line to meet Peter Pan at the Magic Kingdom, my bff and I had a great interaction with character attendant Michael Signorello. He personalized “I’m Celebrating” buttons for Princess Jacqueline and Princess Tiffany! (I still have it pinned to my Princess Dooney!!)

In Disneyland this past May, my daughter and I were the first two people in Fantasyland as we made our way over to sign up for Jedi Training. Another Cast Member gave us buttons as Honorary Citizens of Disneyland! We were so excited!

On our way to sign up for Jedi Training!

We pinned this immediately to her Rey outfit!

Disneyland also gives out buttons for their character meals! We have buttons from the Plaza Inn, Ariel’s Grotto, Storyteller’s Cafe and the PCH Grill!

Etsy is another treasure trove for custom buttons! You can create your own buttons featuring your favorite characters, or purchase pre-made ones. We’ve ordered Star Wars buttons, runDisney themed buttons and even ones for Disneyland’s Diamond Celebration! (And at around $5-they are a great value!)

Custom buttons from various etsy shops…yup, that’s “Matt” from the SNL Kylo Ren Undercover Boss skit!

Ornaments

Next, ornaments are a popular souvenir that people buy year round. Available in every gift shop in every park, there are also dedicated shops like Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe in Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Days of Christmas in Disney Springs. Popular ornaments include dated ornaments, characters, and themed shoe and “ear” ornaments. Many others can be personalized with a name, date or event at an additional cost-just ask!

Pressed Pennies

My two children are crazy over pressed pennies! For the low, low price of 51 cents (two quarters to pay for your souvenir-you supply the shiny penny!) you can get an engraved Disney pressed coin! These machines are everywhere…at attraction exits, in the resorts, even in gift shops! (Which also conveniently sell the portfolios to store your pressed coins!) Pinterest has many updated maps that show the location of each machine, too. Some even allow you to press a quarter! (Hint: Recycled M&M mini canisters are great for transporting your coins, too, just be prepared to show them at airport security!)

Silhouettes

For years I have been trying to have silhouettes done of my children by the artists working outside on Main Street, USA in Disney World. However, our schedules never lined up. I rectified that this past May in Disneyland, which has its very own silhouette studio!

In case you don’t know, silhouettes are hand-cut profiles that are done by eye…and extremely accurate! In less than two minutes each, talented Cast Member had fashioned two silhouettes. The likenesses were amazing! Even more amazing…he had perfectly captured my son with autism, who typically has trouble sitting still!

Hand-cut silhouette in under two minutes!

The cost for the silhouette (which also included a mirror image) and the frame was about $20, and was the best Mother’s Day gift I’ve ever gotten!

Pin Trading and Vinylmation

Pins and Vinylmation are both collectable souvenirs that can be purchased, and sometimes traded, at the parks! Both also make for great displays once you get home…check out Pinterest for some inspiration!

Pin collecting and trading is fun for all ages! You can purchase pins in the parks or buy them from eBay or Amazon before you go. (Just make sure they are Disney Parks authentic!) Pins can be worn on lanyards, or even attached to shirts or hats-be creative! Cast Members wearing pins on a lanyard are allowed to trade up to two pins a day per guest, so choose carefully!

Vinylmations are small, plastic figurines of popular characters that are part of a series, usually eight or twelve. They are grouped by theme-Princesses, Star Wars…even Special Editions! Most are sold in blind boxes, so you never know what you may get. However, each series contains a “chaser”, which is a rare, mystery figure…no wonder it’s so hard to buy just one set!

runDisney

When you run multiple runDisney race challenges per year, you want to bring home more bling than just your medals! The most popular Expo souvenirs tend to be “I Did It!” shirts, pins, wine glasses commemorating your event, and themed New Balance sneakers! (Have you seen the Haunted Mansion ones??) Athletic apparel such as Sparkle Skirts and raw threads get snapped up, too! (Guilty as charged!) Themed Dooney and Bourke handbags are also available for some races…these are pricey (and very coveted!) souvenirs! Pre-order, or plan to arrive early at the Expo!

However, my all-time favorite runDisney souvenirs are shoe ornaments. Each “shoe” represents a princess or female character. Every time I run a race, I pick up a shoe ornament to either show the character I dressed up as, or to represent that weekend’s theme. For example, I brought home the Cinderella shoe ornament the first time I ran the Glass Slipper Challenge and Tinkerbell for my first Pixie Dust Challenge in California!

Shoe ornaments are available in the parks and online!

Mugs, Magnets and More!

There is no shortage of treasures to collect at the Parks! Whether you collect magnets, keychains, pens or shot glasses you will have hundreds to choose from! Candy apples and rice krispie treats from the Confectionary, mugs from Starbucks, baseball hats from the Emporium…there is something for everyone!

Just don’t forget your ears!

Custom ears celebrating the Dole Whip and Starbucks by MakeMeMinnie!

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

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party-A First Night Review!

When I signed up to run Lumiere’s Challenge as part of runDisney’s Wine & Dine race series during Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival, I didn’t know I’d be in for an extra treat! Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party was scheduled to debut our final night in Disney World! Never having been, and unsure how quickly tickets would sell out, my friend Tiffany and I purchased our tickets almost as soon as they were available!

Our plan for the party was simple. We wanted to experience all the things that were specific to party night-particularly the hard to find characters and the special shows. We weren’t planning on riding any rides, as we had devoted an entire day to Magic Kingdom two days before. Our Bucket List included a picture with the Seven Dwarfs, Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, and Holiday Wishes.

Park Entry

Though the Christmas Party officially starts at 7:00, guests with tickets are allowed to enter Magic Kingdom as early as 4:00. It was easy to spot the party-goers…lots of red and green holiday themed outfits, Santa hats, and festive ears! We were happily surprised to be allowed in about ten minutes before 4:00, and were promptly given a special wristband to wear showing we were attending the party.

Once in the Town Center, we were ushered to a special entrance to the right of the Le Chapeau shop. There was a Photopass photographer and some special photo opportunities…and the first treats of the evening-a big, green Christmas Tree cookie and hot chocolate!

Party Perks-What We Knew and What We Didn’t

We knew that party admission meant that we would get access to special characters that were either considered rare or in special holiday attire. In the past, the biggest draws have included the Seven Dwarfs and all the Princes meeting with their Princesses. There were usually some “surprise” characters, as well.

Shhhh! Nick and Judy from Zootopia might be here…!

The interesting thing is, the actual character meet-and-greet schedules are not only not announced beforehand, but are not even available once the party begins! From the brochure, “(Special Disney) Characters will be meeting Guests Intermittently throughout the event. Appearances may differ from event operating hours. Look on the map for character locations.” We got our information from one of our favorite sources-Kenny the Pirate. His Character Locator app http://www.characerlocator.com is genius…but there are no guarantees as the first party night is a lot of speculation!

Snack Stops-New for 2016!

In past years, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas party goers had enjoyed cookies and hot chocolate. This year, some fun changes were made that added some variety. Five different Holiday Treat Locations were set up around the Park, each featuring a different treat and beverage! Locations were posted in the party guide, but the menu was not.

Different treats and beverages at each location this year!

In addition to hot cocoa, you could also get eggnog, spiced apple cider and even blue raspberry snow cones! Cookies included Snickerdoodle, Ginger Molasses, Peppermint Bark, Snowman Sugar cookies, an allergy friendly Chocolate Chip cookie and the Green Christmas Tree cookies we were offered upon entrance. (Though subsequent party-goers say jumbo Snowman Sugar cookies are now offered there!)

Had we known, we would have loved to visit ALL the treat locations! For the cost of the evening and the limited hours you are there, it’s curious why Disney chooses not to publish their MVMCP menus and meet and greets. I know us Type A Planners would really appreciate it! LOL!

Character Bucket List

As I shared, our priority was characters…the rarer, the better! Seven Dwarfs were at the top of both of our lists, but I also wanted to see Jack Skellington as Sandy Claws. Tiffany wanted to see Gaston at his final scheduled meet of the day during regular park hours. We agreed to split up-I’d wait for Jack, then meet her in line for the Dwarfs. After all, based on the Halloween parties, Jack would be out nice and early @5:15!

After waiting for an hour and a half to meet Sandy Claws, with no line movement or confirmation from Cast Members that he would be coming out anytime soon, I got a call from Tiffany. They were setting up for the Seven Dwarfs! I quickly (and reluctantly!) said good-bye to my new friends in line for the last few hours, Brittany and Brittany, and dashed over to Fantasyland.

I got into line just as they were walked out, and everyone broke into spontaneous cheers and clapping! It was so exciting! As the fourth family in line, it went very quickly from there-a solo pose for each of us, and one together!

The Seven Dwarfs-the Holy Grail of character photo ops…!

We walked back towards Sleepy Hollow restaurant, where we planned to eat. Out of curiosity, we stopped to see how the two Brittanys were making out in the Sandy Claws line. Jack had still not been brought out, and the girls graciously invited us to rejoin them back in line. In fairness to the others, we asked the surrounding people if they were okay with this, and then decided to take a group photo as to not press our good fortune!

Jack Skellington as Sandy Claws and our new BFFs!

One of the biggest and unannounced surprises was a Zootopia meet-and-greet! Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps were meeting guests in Tomorrowland by Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. They didn’t sign autographs but did hand out a badge-shaped collector card with both names on it. They had a cute little schtick and a long line, but thankfully it moved quickly.

You can see Donald Duck in a lot of places…but how often do you get to see McScrooge Duck?? I was so excited for this rare character! As I left Tomorrowland they were meeting with guests by Pete’s Silly Sideshow. I loved their cold weather attire-especially Donald’s plaid!

You can see how psyched I was to meet McScrooge!

It was so late by the time I got to Fairytale Hall that they really had no business letting me in! When I asked if the princesses were still meeting (I believe it was about 11:45 at that point) the Cast Members looked at each other and kind of shrugged me in. I was THE last person admitted…which meant that at one point I was the only guest in the room with Rapunzel, Flynn Rider, Tiana and Naveen! (I am so mad at myself for not thinking to ask for a special picture with all four characters!)

You might think that the characters would be going through the motions at this point, but you wouldn’t be more wrong! Rapunzel and Eugene were playful with both each other and me. We laughed about his satchel/pocketbook and he asked me if I could act “surprised”. I agreed, but then was really actually surprised when he pulled Rapunzel’s tiara out of his bag! (NOT a pocketbook-he reminded me!!) Tiana and Naveen were just damn good-looking. Both of them. Their outfits were to die for!

Gracious, hospitable, and always well-dressed!

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Shows, Parades and Fireworks

After meeting both the Dwarfs and Sandy Claws, (which we hadn’t thought possible!) we were on a total high! We realized we were starving and walked a few paces to Sleepy Hollow. Even though they were offering the Pumpkin Spice Waffle Sundae, we were dying to try the Fruit and Nutella waffle, which we talk about trying every single trip! And because we were REALLY hungry, we also each got a baked potato.

Sleepy Hollow’s perfect location for the castle show and parade!

It ended up being a genius move…because from our outdoor seats we had the perfect view of both the castle for A Frozen Holiday Wish as well as front row seats for Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade and Holiday Wishes!

The parade was truly spectacular! The dancers, the ice cutters and the dancing gingerbread men were so much fun-but the reindeer and marching wooden soldiers were the best! Mickey and Minnie had their own float, as did Olaf, Ralph, and of course, Santa Claus!

After the parade, it was time to take our place for Holiday Wishes. I positioned myself right in front of the big Christmas Tree in front of the Train Station. I had the perfect view of the castle and Main Street, USA! It was truly overwhelming with the piped in Christmas music in time with the red and green fireworks bursting above. I have to admit…I choked up when they played “Oh, Christmas Tree” as green fireworks surrounded Cinderella Castle, topped off with a golden fireworks star! *Sniff!*

Shortly after, snow began falling on Main Street. Snow! At Disney World! In Florida! Even though I was expecting it, nothing could have truly prepared me. I was like a kid on Christmas morning!

Santa! I Know Him!

No Christmas Party would be complete without a visit with Santa Claus! We found Santa set up next to City Hall, and the line was manageable. Even though the hour was late, most of the people in front of us were families with small children. Santa was very engaging…and had the best line of the night! When we asked him if we could take a selfie, he told us no. He then went on to say, “But…we CAN take an ELFIE!!”

Late Night Pixie Dust

Though the party officially ends at midnight, it was fun to stick around for photo ops as the park started to slowly empty. The back emptied first…after leaving Fairy Tale Hall I was the last person ushered to the front of the castle!

Photopass photographers were still snapping pictures. The Emporium was packed with people buying ornaments, Very Merry party shirts only available during party hours, and Christmas bulb necklaces. The Confectionery was doing a brisk business selling holiday cupcakes, rice krispie treats and candy apples, and smelled delicious, as usual!

It was after 1:00 a.m. before we finally made our way out of the park, and we were far from the last guests there. We took one last look at all the beautiful decorations and I got to say my final, “See ya real soon!”

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party was a must-do…and one I hope I get to do again! Merry Christmas to all…and to all a good night!

Welcome to Anaheim Resort Transportation! All Aboard!

If you’ve ever been to Walt Disney World and have stayed at one of the 20+ resorts on property, then I’m sure you’re familiar with the Disney Transportation bus system. Disney operates its bus system 365 days a year from the resorts to the parks and to Disney Springs. This makes it much easier for families to take vacations to Disney and not have to rent a car and pay daily parking if they are staying at a Disney resort.

With the growth and development of the Anaheim, CA resort area, there was a need for a system similar to the Disney Transportation system.

:::Cue the dramatic entrance music:::
Welcome to the Anaheim Resort Transportation!

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(Courtesy of Anaheim Resort Transportation)

Originally known as the Anaheim Resort Transit, it was established in 1994 and officially changed to the Anaheim Resort Transportation in 1998. In 2010, Disney adopted the company to become an official transportation option for visiting guests.

Although Disney has only 3 official hotels on Disneyland property, there are more than a dozen other “Good Neighbor Hotels” available for guests of the Disneyland Resort. Some of these hotels can extend as far as 1 mile from the resort. The A.R.T. bus system allows guests who do not want to rent car and pay for parking, the opportunity to ride a clean, easy to spot bus to Disneyland and California Adventure parks. The bus will drop you off right in front of the esplanade between Disneyland and California Adventure!

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I had the opportunity to experience the ART during my trip to Disneyland for the Star Wars Half Marathon weekend in January. I was a little unsure about getting to and from from hotel but what I found was helpful staff members, a clean bus, and some much needed relief for my wallet and legs (after running 32.4 miles the weekend before).

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There is a free trip planner as well on the website which can help figure out how to get to the happiest place in California as well.

The ART system is available for a fee. Tickets can be purchased at many of the hotels, online or via the ART app available for download on both Apple and Android operating systems. For more information, visit www.rideart.org.