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Category Archives: Top 5/10
Top 10 things to experience at Disneyland!
On June 20, 2013, my family will be making it’s first pilgrimage to Disneyland! The Park, as my friends know it, is, of course, the original, the one that started it all, the signature park of Walt Disney’s incredible legacy. Since we have never been to Disneyland before, I have been in crazy planning mode for the past several months, looking at all of the attractions, dining, resorts, and on and on, to come up with the things that we want to experience when we get to Disneyland. That process has led me to create a countdown on my own blog, aptly titled 100 Days til Disneyland. Each day I am focusing on a different experience at the Park and sharing it with you over at my blog, My Dreams of Disney. You can see the list thus far by clicking on the 100 Days til Disneyland link.
Based on the research that I’ve done so far, I am sharing with you today my top ten things to experience at Disneyland! Please read it all, and then, in the comments, tell me which ones you like and don’t like, and tell me your own top ten list, or tell me how many of mine are on your list!
Top 10 things to experience at Disneyland
I’ve decided to do this as a countdown list, Letterman Style, so that when you get to #1 on the list, you will know that that experience is at the top of my list to experience! So, starting at number 10:
10.) Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
This attraction is one that I have never experienced, but I’ve heard so much about it, I’ve got to take a look at it! I don’t know if I’ll like it or not, but I’m guessing that it will leave me wishing it was still around at the Magic Kingdom!
Of course this attraction is on my list! I love Peter Pan’s Flight at the Magic Kingdom, and I can’t wait to see what it is like at Disneyland! Is it better, worse, or the same everyone? Let me know!
Top 5 Things To Do at Blizzard Beach
I don’t know about you, but I am so ready for summer! Now summertime at Disney can get pretty intense. After all, Florida is known for its infamous humidity; but there is a cure: The Disney Water Parks!
Walt Disney World is home to two themed water parks: Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach; but today, we are focusing on Disney’s Blizzard Beach, which is probably the most unique water park on the planet! The story behind Blizzard Beach is that there was a freak snowstorm which hit Central Florida and thus Florida’s first ski-resort was born! However, the weather phenomenon was only temporary and soon the ski-resort began to melt, turning ski runs and water slides and snow drifts into pools! That’s when the whole idea was transformed into a water park, but remnants of the ski-resort still exist from a working ski-lift to snow plows to icicles! There’s lots of snow left too!
So if you’re looking to cool off, there’s no better cure than a snow day at Disney’s Blizzard Beach; and to know how to do it right, check out my Top 5 Things To Do at this unique, family friendly water park!
5. Ride the Ski Lift-Most of Blizzard Beach’s slides are located on a snow covered hill; and while you can take the maze of steps up to the snowy peak, we recommend the ski lift! Not only is it the more relaxing of the two, it’s also an entertaining, leisurely ride that enables you to see the other slides and guests enjoying themselves down below. You also get a really great view of Blizzard Beach’s icon, the dizzying Summit Plummet!
4. Check out the Ski Patrol Training Camp & Tikes Peak with Your Kids-Let the kids run and enjoy at these two awesome kid designed play areas! The Ski Patrol Training Camp is for kids and pre-teens and offers several kid friendly slides, a zip-line, and training course where kids must balance their way across floating ice bergs! Little princes and princesses can run and splash in their own area, Tikes Peak, which offers mini-slides that small versions of the actual slides found in the park. There’s also a melting snow castle and snow structures, Ice Gator friends, and even a sandy shore to enjoy. Even if you’re not traveling with kids, these adorable areas are worth seeing!
3. Ride Teamboat Springs-This family raft ride is one of the longest in the world! This means that you get a nice, long ride which is well worth the wait. Also, these rafts are huge as they seat up to six guests, meaning the whole family can ride together and watch their faces as they slip, slide, tilt, and get splashed!
2. Float Around Cross Country Creek-This lazy river is fun for the whole family and offers both relaxation, some excitement, and even a few surprises such as a dark cave dripping icy cold water, frozen, leaky pipes, and even the Ice Gator’s House! Cross Country Creek encircles the park and offers several stops, making it a much better alternative to getting around the park compared to walking!
1. Brave Summit Plummet-This slide is the centerpiece of the water park and probably one of the most intense attractions on property! This steep, 12 story, free-fall water slide resembles a ski jump and takes you from the platform, through a dark tunnel, and finally back out into the light as you come to a splashing stop at the bottom. It’s very fast and is sure to test your nerve!
Bonus: Be sure to get your picture made with the Disney Snowman family towards the front of the park! They are dressed for a day at the Disney parks, including Mouse Ears!
So I want to know, who’s a fan of Blizzard Beach? What’s your favorite thing to do when you visit?
Related articles
- Blizzard Beach: A Walk Around Blizzard Beach (aglassslippervacation.com)
- What to Pack for the Disney Water Parks (chipandco.com)
Top 10 Things You Need to Know About Dining at WDW
Disney World fans know that Dining at Disney can be as much of a magical experience as the characters and attractions; but with so many restaurants to choose from, dining plans to consider, menus, prices, and more, where do you start?
That’s what today’s post is all about, giving you that head start when tackling the Disney Dining world. So keep reading to learn the top 10 things you need to know about dining at WDW!
10. Use the Dining Plan-I’m a big believer in the Disney Dining Plan and never visit without it! First of all, it offers me an all inclusive vacation, which makes Disney less stressful. Secondly, I believe it does save you cash. Dining at Disney is pricey, and this applies to drinks and snacks; and trust us, you’re going to be stopping by those snack carts and restaurants pretty regularly, especially if you have kids. It’s a good possibility that you will go over your dining budget; and it’s no fun to haul around sandwiches and snacks in that heavy backpack on a hot, humid Florida afternoon. So with the Standard Dining Plan, you don’t have to count cash and you get to enjoy a nice, sit down meal every day, along with one counter service meal and snack credits. (This is the one that I always choose because I like to abuse it and dine at as many expensive restaurants as possible without paying the hefty bill!) Tip: The Dining Plan doesn’t include tips, so be sure to include this cost in your Disney budget! But if you would rather eat and run back to the rides, the Quick Service Dining Plan will definitely save you money.
9. Allow Time for Transportation-Did you book a character meal at the Polynesian for dinner, but you’re at Hollywood Studios today? In that case, you need to allow about an hour cushion for you to get from the park to the resort. Buses aren’t always as prompt as guests prefer, especially if you just left before you reached the bus stop; and you also have to account for the time it takes to leave the park and to walk through the resort to make it to your restaurant. Traveling by Monorail? The same rule applies! Monorails can get backed up and even stop on the tracks in certain situations. So don’t miss your reservation, plan ahead!
More after the jump…
Preparing Your Child for Disney Character Greetings
We all have a favorite Disney Character and meeting these beloved characters is often the highlight of a trip, for adults and children alike! But how do you prepare your toddler or young child for their first character greetings? Often times we have an ideal picture of what these meet and greets should look like, but find ourselves as parents faced with a harsh reality when they occur.
When we took our two year old for his first visit it was my goal to make the character greetings process as enjoyable as possible for our whole family so we tried to prepare him ahead of time. Here are five simple steps to help prevent the character greeting meltdown!
1. Watch You Tube Videos of Kids Meeting Characters at Disney Parks: Most kids know their favorite Disney characters from movies and TV, however they look different at the parks then they do on the big and small screen. Showing them videos of kids meeting the actual characters will set up realistic expectations for the child on what to expect at the character greetings. It’s as simple as searching for “meeting Mickey at Disneyworld”!
2. Book a character meal early in your trip: A character meal is a great way to meet characters without wasting time in line at the parks. You can distract your child with the food while you wait and they will get lots of special attention when the character comes around. In addition, if your child is freaked out by characters you can easily ask for them to bypass your table. Book this meal early in your trip so you can gauge your child’s response to the characters. This way you’ll know whether you should focus on character greetings or avoid them during the rest of your trip!
More after the jump…
Top 5 Things To Do at WDW Without Tickets
Despite what you may think, there are things to do at Disney that don’t require park tickets. Believe it or not, you can have a fun day at Walt Disney World packed full of Disney magic without ever passing through a turnstile. How?
Check out my Top 5 Things To Do at Disney World Without Tickets to find out!
1. Downtown Disney-Downtown Disney offers LOTS of shopping and dining! I can easily spend hours here wanding through the World of Disney, Trend-D, and the Art of Disney Kids will also enjoy Once Upon a Toy store, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, and the giant Lego store with lego statues representing Disney characters and even a family visiting Disney World! There’s also entertainment here at night which you can particpate in! Check out Guide to Downtown Disney – “Must-Sees’ for First Timers for more info!
2. Resort Hop-For a full, yet relaxing day, hop aboard the Monorail and visit some of Disney’s deluxe resorts to check out their magnificent lobbies, restaurants, shops, views, decor, and Hidden Mickeys! They are also a great place for photo ops! You can board a ferry and visit both Fort Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge, or walk from Epcot to the Yacht and Beach Club and the Boardwalk for some beautiful views, seaside decor, and dining. Check out Chip’s series of Resort Hopping 101 here.
