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Introduction to Making The Madness Magical
Every Disney movie pretty much starts out the same way. You hear the magical sound of “When You Wish Upon a Star”, the chills go down your spine, you get that knot in the pit of your stomach (you know the one you get when you’re really excited about something and you feel like you could burst at any moment) and then you can just feel the magic in the air floating all around you and it’s AMAZING!!!! Well I hope this blog can give you that exact same feeling!
Maybe I should introduce myself. Hi my names Terra!! I am a Disney addict, lover, connoisseur and not ashamed to say it or show it! I’ve been going to Walt Disney World since the ripe old age of five. My first trip to WDW was in the year 2000 and let me tell you I will never ever forget it. That first walk down Main Street U.S.A holding my mom’s hand while my dad was behind us taking pictures. Since then we have been back multiple times and even decided that DVC was a perfect fit for us since we are all Disney addicts and let me tell you what, it was the best decision we as a family have ever made!!
What is the point of this blog you ask? Well let me tell you, the point of Making The Madness Magical is to help make the entire planning process easier! Like I said before I’ve been to Walt Disney World multiple times, it’s literally my second home, and I know it like the back of my hand. Not only am I here to help make the planning process easier, but I’m also going to help keep you all up-to-date on all the latest Disney World happenings and with all the recent announcements, updates and changes it sounds like our beloved second home will become a little unfamiliar to us all until we figure out the new lay of the land.
See Ya Real Soon,
Terra Kay
Snacky Saturday
So we all know that there is no shortage of snacks at Walt Disney World and there are ALWAYS debates over which snacks are the best. Well I sat down and asked my parents to give me their top five absolute favorite must have snacks when we visit the World! I'll be posting the lists thought the day so keep an eye out!!
My Dad's Top 5 Disney World Snacks
Alright, let's get this thing started!! Here are my dad's top five favorite Disney World snacks!
Turkey Leg
Itzakadoozies
Mickey shaped rice crispy
Salmon and Egg Sandwich (from Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe in the Norway pavilion in EPCOT)
Coconut Macaron (from Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie in the France pavilion in EPCOT)
Mom's Top 5 Favorite Disney World Snacks
Mickey shaped rice crispy
Salted caramel fudge brownie (from Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe in the Norway pavilion in EPCOT)
Chip & Dale trail mix (found everywhere on Disney property)
Assorted Fudge (from Main Street Confectionery in the Magic Kingdom)
Crème Brûlée (from Sunshine Seasons in the The Land pavilion at EPCOT)
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 2015
When the Halloween decorations make their way to the Magic Kingdom we know that Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party isn't too far behind. Now every year Disney likes to debut some very special treats for aforementioned party. So without further ado let's take a peak at these wonderfully themed snacks!!
First up is the creepy-crawly Spider Cupcake! This is a chocolate cupcake with a nice little edible spider on top and you can find him in the Main Street Bakery!
Next to the creepy-crawly spider cupcake you will also be able to find the vanilla Monster cupcake also available in the Main Street Bakery!
Now when you think Halloween what is the first thing that comes to mind? If you said ghost then yay because that brings us to the next treat. Which is a Ghost cupcake! Now this is a returning treat, but it's had a makeover. This year the Ghost cupcake has a chocolate base (it was vanilla the previous year) and is topped with butter cream icing, dusted with cookie crumbs and has a lovely fondant ghost propped up on top with a marshmallow under it!! This tasty treat can be found at Gaston's Tavern back in "New" Fantasyland!
Who doesn't love a nice ice cream sandwich every now and then? Well if you would like one while at Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party then look no further than the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor on Main Street U.S.A!! Stop in there and get a Handmade Halloween Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich! You won't regret it, trust me!!
Candy Corn the unofficial symbol of all things Halloween! If you love candy corn then you're going to love the next two treats that are making an appearance this year. The first one is a Candy Corn Cone, it is Candy Corn Soft-Serve Ice Cream and it even comes with a cone FILLED with candy corn!! You can find this at Storybook Treats.
The final special treat at this years Halloween Party is Candy Corn Cotton Candy. Yup you heard me candy corn cotton candy, this will be available at various carts and kiosks around the Magic Kingdom! However there is a twist, the vibrantly colored candy-corn inspired layers offer different flavors: original sugar, pina colada and orange!!
So are you attending Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party this year? If so which treat are you wanting to try the most?
Sushi Sunday!!
Everyone who goes to Disney multiple times always have certain things that they must absolutely do (a tradition If you will)! Whether it be getting their picture taken with a certain character, going to Downtown Disney (now Disney Springs) the first day they get there or eating at a certain restaurant every time they visit Walt Disney World. My family is no exception to this. One of my favorite family traditions that we do, is when my dad and I set a day and time during our vacation to have a father-daughter lunch date at Tokyo Dining in the Japan pavilion at EPCOT! The reason we pick this particular restaurant is because we love us some sushi and in our opinion they have some of the best sushi in all of Walt Disney World!! When we go we usually end up getting the Combination - Matsu and it comes with: 2 tuna, 2 salmon, 2 shrimp, yellow-tail, scallops, egg, eel with 2 pieces of Spicy Roll and 4 pieces of Rainbow Roll !! Trust me, it is mouth wateringly delicious, utterly amazing and worth checking out! I know for a fact that I always look forward to our father-daughter bonding time and it’s an added bonus that we get to have delectable sushi. So next time you want to try something new or you’re looking for a great place to get sushi go check out Tokyo Dining in the Japan pavilion in EPCOT, you won’t regret it!
Pictured below is the Combination – Matsu
Sushi Sunday Pt. 2
My family and I LOVE sushi and when I say we love it, I mean we really really love it!! So when it comes to Disney we pretty much know where we can go to get our fix of it. Here are some of our favorite places to get this yummy Japanese dish.
The first place we are going to talk about is Tokyo Dining in the Japan pavilion at EPCOT. Now Tokyo Dining does require reservations, so make sure you have reservations if you decide to eat here!! Okay at this restaurant there is no shortage of sushi. They have over 20 different options you can choose from. One of my personal favorites is the Combination – Matsu, if you’d like to know more about that you can check out my last post. Another aspect of this restaurant I absolutely adore is the ambience of it. Tokyo Dining has a sleek look about it and is very modern.
Next up is a hidden gem that often gets over looked in my opinion. I say that because my family and I have been to Disney World roughly nine times and until recently know what it was. Turns out it’s a nice little quick service restaurant called Katsura Grill and it is also in the Japan pavilion is EPCOT! Now unlike Tokyo Dining you don’t need reservations in order to eat here which is amazing! The only thing is, is that they only have four things on their sushi menu, but what they do have is excellent! I’d also recommend that if you do go here try some of the other things on the menu, but we’ll get into that another day.
Another one of our favorite places to get this tasty treat is at Sunshine Seasons in the Land pavilion at EPCOT. Now I know this doesn’t seem like the most obvious place to get sushi, but trust me if you love sushi just as much as we do then you’ll adore the fact that you can get it here. Plus you don’t have to make the trek all the way back to the Japan pavilion just to get you some, you’re welcome! Anyway just like Katsura Grill you don’t need reservations to eat here and they don’t have many options on the sushi menu, just the basics: California Roll, Spicy Roll and Vegetable Roll, but they are really good!
The last place on this list is 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian Resort which is near the Magic Kingdom. One thing you should know about 1900 is that 1. It does require reservations and 2. It is a character meal. What is a character meal you ask? Well what that means it that there are certain Disney characters at this particular restaurant Cinderella, her stepsisters (Anastasia & Drizella), Lady Tremaine and Prince Charming (swoon) are walking around and will stop at your table to chat, take pictures and sign autograph books as you dine. One other thing this is a buffet and the food here is excellent and the assorted sushi is delicious!
There are other places on Walt Disney World property to get sushi, but we have yet to try them all. When we do try them though I will be sure to write up a review and let you guys know how it is and if the places live up to all the hype! So until then keep on eating weird and uncooked fish!
Tips & Tricks Tuesday!!!
Hello everyone!! Today's theme, of you couldn't tell by the title is TIPS & TRICKS! YAY!!!! What this means, is that I will be posting about ways to efficiently navigate the parks and how you can make sure you hit all your "must do's" for whichever park you're in!
Welcome Home Wednesday!
I love going home and at Walt Disney World, home for my family is Disney's Old Key West Resort! Old Key West opened on December 20, 1991 as Disney's Vacation Club Resort. Then in 1996 it was renamed to Disney's Old Key West Resort and has the largest rooms out of all the DVC (short for Disney Vacation Club) Resorts, which is fantastic!
Every single one of the hotels on Disney property have a theme, so what is the theme of OKW? The setting of OKW is turn-of-the-century Key West. As soon as you get there your ears get filled with the sounds of steel drums, Jimmy Buffet songs and you feel as if you are in the Florida Keys on a tropical getaway. You instantly feel the weight of the real world lift off your shoulders and the relaxation vacations begins.
One of the really cool things I love about OKW is that it itself is a community called Conch Flats. They even have their own general store called Conch Flats General Store, a restaurant called Olivia’s Café and a little bar called the Gurgling Suitcase. If you’re looking for a bite to eat, but don’t feel like cooking something in your room or going to the park then definitely try out Olivia’s its delicious and the staff is wonderful!
If you’re DVC members like my family and I are, then you’ll get what I’m talking about next. Like I said before, OKW is its own little community and if you go back every year you get to know the people who work there. You get so used to seeing them and you even become friends with the cast members that work there. One cast member that stands out to me is Robert from the Gurgling Suitcase. Every night when we’d get back from a long day at the park, my dad would head off and go get a Bloody Mary and he did this pretty much every night. Well over the course of the week, my dad and Robert learned quite a bit about each other, became best friends and after our trip their friendship became “Facebook Official” (you ALL know what I mean by that lol). So it really is a home away from home and those who work there truly do become your second family and it gives you something else to look forward to. Let me tell you that that, is just another example of Disney magic!
Magic Kingdom Fun Fact Friday
The Magic Kingdom is full of hidden gems and fun little secrets to discover. Through the day I will be posting and talking about all the different tidbits about the different lands in the Magic Kingdom. Now hopefully these will be fun facts that you don't/didn't know already, so lets get started!
Main Street, U.S.A Fun Fact
You may or may not have noticed, that the entire length of main Street, U.S.A is bordered by red pavement, almost as if the red carpet had been rolled out for you. Well it has been, when creating Main Street, Disney consulted Kodak and they determined that one particular shade of red would enhance guest photographs. So thank you Disney and Kodak for making sure our vacation photos look fantastic!!
Fantasyland Cinderella Castle Fun Fact
If you're and avid Disney fan, then you know what I mean when I use the term "Disney detail". Disney has always been known for their attention to detail, in both their movies and parks. Our next fun fact/ hidden gem, is in Cinderella Castle. If you know your Disney Imagineers and have a sharp eye then you’ve probably already found this one. In the mural scene inside the walkway in Cinderella’s Castle, where prince Charming has placed the glass slipper on Cinderella’s foot, you will find two Disney Imagineers. If you look to the far left of the mural, there is a man standing and that is John Hench, and then the man standing directly behind the prince is Herbert Ryman. Hench and Ryman, if you didn’t know, were the lead designers of Cinderella Castle.
Disney Inspired Clothing
Like most people who love Disney, I am obsessed with clothing that has anything Disney related on it!! So today I will be sharing with you one of my most absolute favorite Disney inspired online clothing store. Now the web store I'm talking about is called Whosits & Whatsits! Whosits & Whatsits was founded by Tiffany Mink in 2011.
Okay so Whosits & Whatsits has THE BEST DISNEY INSPIRED APPAREL EVER!!!!! Two of my personal favorites are the Peter Pan inspired Neverland Beanie and Lost Boys Tee. Mostly because those are the only two items I’ve gotten from them, but I really want one of everything they have.
I'll be posting pictures of the items I have gotten from Whosits and Whatsits and I will also be telling you some stories about what people have said to me when I was wearing aforementioned items. Stay tuned!
Neverland Beanie Whosits and Whatsits
If you love Peter Pan as much as I do, then you will love this item I got from Whosits and Whatsits!! This is the Neverland Beanie and it is my go to when I'm having a bad hair day or if I want to do a Peter Pan inspired Disney Bound for the day.
Okay so on my last visit to Walt Disney World I wore this to the Magic Kingdom and I got so many compliments on it! The best thing that happened that day was when I was sat on the curb watching Festival of Fantasy Parade and the float that carried Peter, Wendy, Smee, Hook and Tink went by. Wendy instantly noticed me wearing the Neverland beanie and started waving and attempted to get Peter's attention to show him, but she had no luck. While Peter might not have notice my hat Captain Hook sure did and honestly it's true, actions do speak louder than words because he took one look at me saw the beanie and slid his hook across his throat, then pointed to me......YIKES, but I wasn't afraid of him so I gave him a look and did it right back to him! Needless to say, that was one of my favorite character interactions I had on my entire trip!! Even though I couldn't interact more with him, it was still a highlight and something I'll never forget. So thank you whositswhatsits for creating a magical experience!
Wishing you all a Happy and wonderful Thanksgiving!!! I have been MIA for awhile now so I'm going to try and get this blog back on a schedule and post more often!
What's New Wednesday
I'm back! With that being said, I want to start a new series or theme for Wednesday and this new series will be called...What's New Wednesday!!
What's New Wednesday will be a weekly roundup that consists of all the new happenings coming and going at the Walt Disney World Resort. I will cover everything from attraction closings, refurbishments, character meet and greets, which characters we'll be saying so long to (whether it be for a short time or for good), restaurant's, events and all those other things we need to know about in order to have the best vacation ever at The Happiest Place on Earth!
Dream Along With Mickey
In the first instalment of What’s New Wednesday we will be saying goodbye to one of the most popular stage shows at the Walt Disney World Resort, Dream Along With Mickey. With an incredible run of practically 9 years (hands down making it the longest running Castle Forecourt Stage show in the history of the park) in September, the time for an update has come.
This summer, the all-new live stage show “Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire” will grace the Castle Forecourt stage at the Magic Kingdom in the Walt Disney World Resort with magic, music and merriment! With the marvelous backdrop of Cinderella Castle, Mickey and his friends will welcome some beloved characters from a few of Disney’s newest classics: “The Princess and the Frog,” “Tangled” and “Frozen.”
In the new show called “Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire,” Mickey and his troupe of Merry Makers have been prepping to host a joyous festival and have travelled far and wide to invite friends from other lands to join in on their celebration. From the Land of the Bewitching Bayous, Goofy has invited Tiana, Naveen and Louis to add a little spice of New Orleans jazz to the party. From the Land of the Enchanted Woods in the kingdom of Corona, Donald Duck brings some new friends he met at the Snuggly Duckling, and Daisy introduces us to her special guests, Rapunzel and Flynn Rider. Finally, Mickey shares a surprise with Minnie, as he has traveled to the Land of the Majestic Mountains of Arendelle to invite Olaf, Anna and Elsa, who contributes a blast of her icy powers. It all culminates in a grand dance, as the Merry Makers invite all their special guests to join in the fun on this special day!
Marking the first appearances by Tiana and Rapunzel in a show on the castle stage, “Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire” brings to life beloved Disney stories both classic and contemporary in a tantalizing performance featuring an original song, memorable music, lively dancing and special effects of magic.
Watch for “Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire” to make its debut in summer 2016! As for Dream Along With Mickey the final performance will be on April 2, 2016 so be sure to catch it before it’s gone for good.
(pictures via Disney)
Share Your Ears
Hello Friends! Disney announced a marvelous campaign earlier today. Disney's new campaign is called "Share Your Ears", so what exactly is Share Your Ears? Well what this is, is that Disney wants us to help them unlock more magic. So in celebration of the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration, Disney Parks will donate $5 to Make-A-Wish for every 'ear photo' (Mickey Ear Hats, headbands, ect.) you share on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #ShareYourEars! What are you waiting for get creative and start sharing those ear photos!! Also if you'd like to learn more, be sure to check out the link below.
http://shareyourears.org/
Character Interactions
One of my favorite things to do at Walt Disney World, is to meet the characters!! Yes it may seem a bit childish to those who don’t “get it” aka the magic of Disney that brings out the kid in all of us, BUT you’re at Disney and NOTHING there is “just for kids” by any means. While you do have a few special things for the kiddos that are kid only, Disney is for kids and kids at heart which I know I’ll always be because honestly no one wants to grow up completely! Today I will be sharing some of my most memorable character interactions and which characters I think have the best meet and greet!