Countdown to Disney #2

#2

Disney's Vero Beach Resort

One of the things we decided to do differently on this trip was to spend some time away from the parks.  So on the tail end of our trip, we are relocating a little south of Walt Disney World to stay at Disney's Vero Beach Resort!  We're so excited to spend some time relaxing at the beach, Disney Style!  Oh, and maybe we'll see some turtles!! And... I hear they have Dole Whip!!!

Awesome!

That was #2 on our countdown.  We're getting close, so stay tuned for #1!!

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Countdown to Disney #3

#3

Kali River Rapids

One this is for certain this trip... It's going to be HOT!  Our weather here at home for the past week or so has been preparing us for the heat.  One of strategies for dealing with the heat here is to get wet... and that works at Disney too!  Good thing one of our favorite attractions is guaranteed to get us wet... and maybe even soaked!! Kali River Rapids is our #3 reason we're excited for our vacation!! 

What say you?  Are you hoping to get drenched, or are you one of those silly people wearing a poncho on Kali?

That was #3 on our countdown.  We're getting close, so stay tuned for #2!!

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10 Best Must Have Disney Souvenirs

sou·ve·nir 

Noun
A thing that is kept as a reminder of a person, place, or event

If there's one thing we've learned over the years, it's that we have more stuff coming back then we did when we left for Disney.  We can't help it.  We love our souvenirs.  If you're like us then you love them too!  But what are your favorites?  Here are our 10 Best Must-Have Souvenirs... see if your favorites are on our list!

We came up with this list by taking a look around and seeing what it is we had brought home over the years. It's by no means a complete list of the souvenirs we've purchased, but I think it gives a good sense of what we like to get.  This is our list, yours may be different.  By all means, let us know in the comments what you like to get!

1. The "Free Stuff"

Guide Maps, Park Tickets, FastPasses, Key to the World Cards, Confetti, Stickers, etc... There are so many things you accumulate during your trip that make great souvenirs and material for scrapbooks or other memory projects.  When it comes to Disney, we don't throw anything away!

2. Pins

We didn't get into the Pin trading craze until Bella tried it on our last trip, but over the years we had quietly amassed a small collection of pins of our favorite attractions and resorts we'd stayed at.  Now that Bella's got the pin-trading bug, you can be sure we'll be coming back with a lot more!  If you collect pins, check out our post on projects for your pin collection!

3. Clothes

We didn't buy all of these, but we can't resist Disney hats!

Hats, T-shirts, hoodies... it's rare that a trip goes by without coming home with something new to wear.  As a rule, everyone has to have an ear hat!  Aside from that, you are free to find that t-shirt or other piece of attire that says you love Disney and wear it proudly!  I have not one, but TWO monorail t-shirts!! "Por Favor mantengase alejado de las puertas!"

4. Jewelry

For now, this is Lisa's territory, but I'm sure Bella will be following along soon enough.  If I wore a watch, I'd be inclined to buy a Disney themed one.  Lisa's favorite is her Pandora bracelet that she can buy a new Chamilla Disney charm for each trip!  It certainly is a fashionable way to collect memories!

5. Ornaments

Even though most of our Disney trips are during spring or summer, we can't help but stop by the Christmas shop and pick up a few ornaments for our tree!  Decorating our tree each Christmas reminds us of all the Disney trips we've taken.  Can you spot the Mickey on our tree??

6. Stuffed Animals/toys

This one is obviously for Bella and Jackson... mostly.  I'd be lying if I told you that Lisa and I hadn't picked up a plush character or toy over the years.  In fact, we had several before we even had any kids!!   One of the surprise favorites of both our children is Duffy, the Disney Bear.  They both have one and we're taking Duffy with us on our trip!  He's even going to tour World Showcase with us!

7. Baseballs

This is something I have to get each trip.  I have a growing collection of items that combine Disney and baseball.   It started with the baseballs and a few little sculptures... but it's now grown to include a lot more!  

8. Home goods

Speaking of collections, Lisa's got a nice collection of tea cups and tea pots going.  In addition, sometimes you just see something that you have to have in your house... like this throw pillow.  We don't have any room that is completely Disney, but you can find a little Disney in every room of our house!

9. Pictures, frames, photo books

We take hundreds, sometimes thousands of pictures on our vacations.  Digital photography has certainly made it easy to accumulate a lot of pictures.  In addition to our personal photos, we always take advantage of Disney's PhotoPass service.  And with all those pictures, sometimes you have to pick up a little something to put them in.

10. Pressed Pennies

\A great and relatively inexpensive keepsake is the pressed penny.  You can find pressed penny machines throughout the parks and resorts.  It's a lot of fun to track them down and get a collection going.  There are also some neat things you can do to show them off as well.



Did we leave any of your favorite souvenirs off our list?? Let us know in the comments below!!

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Countdown to Disney #5

#5

Wishes!

Nothing tops off a day spent at Walt Disney World like one of their famous fireworks shows!  Illuminations and Fantasmic! are great, but we're most excited about seeing Wishes!  Why? Well, partly because the Magic Kingdom is our favorite park, but also because Wishes can be seen and enjoyed from many places in the park, and even outside the park.  This year, we're thinking of seeing what it's like to watch Wishes from New Fantasyland!  As a Cast Member years ago, I enjoyed fireworks from Fantasyland many times.  The crowds are usually in front of the castle for the display, and you almost feel like you've got the place to yourself.  With New Fantasyland being, well, new and all, we don't expect it to be empty at fireworks time, but it should be pretty cool to watch the fireworks from back there!

*Other great ways to enjoy Wishes include watching them from the Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Contemporary, or Bay Lake Tower resorts.  You can also make a reservation for a Wishes Dessert Party inside the Magic Kingdom with reserved seating for the show!

That was #5 on our countdown.  We're getting close, so stay tuned for #4!!

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Countdown to Disney #8, #7, & #6!

We fell a little behind, so to catch up, we have a Triple Feature for you:

#8

Pin Trading

Since Pin Trading was introduced at the Disney Parks, we'd collected a few pins here and there.  Last year, Bella traded her first pin, and now she's hooked!  We're excited to add some pins to her collection this year!  Check out our posts on Pin Trading and on Pin Projects.

#7
Star Tours 2.0

I'm a big Star Wars fan, so Star Tours has always been one of my favorites.  I didn't get to ride the new version last trip, so it's on my Must-Do list this time around.  Who knows, maybe I'll get to ride a couple of times to experience the new technology and how you never get the same ride twice!

#6
Via Napoli

Last summer, we ate at Via Napoli for the first time, and it instantly became one of our favorite restaurants in Walt Disney World!  We loved the atmosphere, the service, and the food!  In our opinion, the pizza was absolutely perfect! Lisa still raves about the Arancini (Fried Risotto Balls with Mozzarella and Meat Ragu)  It's a perfect family restaurant.  We can't wait to eat there again this trip!

We're getting close now.  Busy packing and taking care of last-minute details.  The excitement is building and our countdown chain is getting shorter and shorter.


That was #8, #7, and #6 on our countdown.  We're in the home stretch, so stay tuned for #5!!

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Countdown to Disney #9

#9

Casey Jr. Splash 'n' Soak Station

We're heading down in a week, and if there's one thing we know for sure, it's going to be HOT! That's why one of the things we're excited about is the Casey Jr. Splash 'n' Soak Station!  It's a great way to cool off without leaving the parks to go back to the pool!

A word of warning: The Splash 'n' Soak lives up to its name!  You might want to bring a change of clothes, or plan on jumping on the teacups to try and spin yourselves dry!

That was #9 on our countdown.  We're getting close, so stay tuned for #8!!

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Countdown to Disney #10

#10

Breakfast with Disney Jr. Friends!

Our kids are big fans of Disney Jr..  On our last trip, we tried out the Play 'n Dine breakfast at Hollywood and Vine and it was a lot of fun!  The food was good, and the character interaction was great! Not only did the characters come by for pictures and autographs, but there were also some great moments where the characters invited the kids to get up and sing songs and dance with them!  

After our experience there, the Play 'n Dine breakfast became one of our favorite character meals! We had so much fun that we made a reservation to go again this trip!  

That was #10 on our countdown.  We're getting close, so stay tuned for #9!!

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Countdown to Disney #11- Meeting the Fairies

#11

Meeting the Fairies

Our little girl is a pixie princess. Not only is she all things princess, she is all about Tinker Bell and the fairies as well. Last year was the first time ever she met Tink. To her surprise she was also able to meet Rosetta as well. Her interaction with Tinker Bell was priceless. Tink went crazy for Isabella's name and told her that they had something special in common since they both have the word 'bell' in their names. That is something that she will never forget.

You could meet Tink and one of her fairy friends at Tink's Nook in Adventureland at the Magic Kingdom. She is available from 15 minutes after park opening until 1 hour before closing. Our sources say that Vidia will be with Tink this time around. If you are a Fairy fan, then you know she can be a little moody.  It will be interesting to see how her interaction with Isabella will go! 


Who is your favorite fairy?

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Countdown to Disney #12

#12

It's a Small World

This classic Disney attraction is beloved by many, ourselves included.  With our young ones this is a must-do each trip!  Now, I get that some people find it annoying.  I can remember dragging my father on the ride during our family trips and listening to him complain.  But recently he confided to me that he just enjoyed the attention he got by playing the part of the guy who hated It's a Small World.  So I believe everyone loves this ride, even if they pretend not to.  Either way, we're excited to be able to ride It's a Small World this upcoming trip!

C'mon and sing along! You know you want to!

it's a world of laughter, a world of tears

its a world of hopes, and a world of fears

there's so much that we share

that it's time we're aware

its a small world after all

it's a small world after all

it's a small world after all

it's a small world after all

it's a small, small world

There is just one moon and one golden sun 

And a smile means friendship to everyone. 

Though the mountains divide 

And the oceans are wide 

It's a small world after all

it's a small world after all

it's a small world after all

it's a small world after all

it's a small, small world

Now admit you love it or I'll keep singing!! 

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