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Victoria & Albert’s Chefs Table in the Grand Floridian

December 5, 2017 by Danielle

When discussing our big anniversary trip, we both decided on a good splurge – an amazing, romantic dining experience. Since we’re both foodies, we decided to try one of the most popular, highly praised and difficult to get reservations at Walt Disney World in Orlando: Victoria & Albert’s Chefs Table in the Grand Floridian! Yes, this was a major expense – a restaurant with a 5 DIAMOND RATING isn’t going to come cheap – but we agreed it would be worth us cutting costs in other areas to make this work. We were very fortunate to get a reservation near the end of our trip, and couldn’t wait to give it a try.

Since I know your first question would probably be ‘well, how much DOES it cost?’ here’s the answer: $250 per person, and up to 10 people can dine at the Chef’s Table (but only in the same reservation – you can have just one or two if you want and nobody else can invade on your table). You can also add an optional wine pairing for $150. The main dining room Prix Fixe menu is $235, in case you’re unable to try Victoria & Albert’s Chefs Table. I know that’s a LOT of money – because then you add gratuity (these Chefs and staff definitely earn it – they’re amazing!), so for just two people it can be a hit to the wallet. Hubby and I both agreed that this was probably our FAVORITE experience from the whole trip, and the most amazing food thing we’ve ever done together, so we definitely believe it was worth it.

We checked in for our reservation at their location inside the Grand Floridian, but were early so had time to wander around a little bit. By the way, the do have a strict dress code, so be sure to check that out before you arrive so you’re prepared. Even though we were right next to the kitchen, at times I did feel a bit chilly so ladies, you may want to bring a wrap or elegant jacket, just in case.

Since the Chefs Table is back through the kitchens, you must be escorted if you’re to leave that area. We had a sweet lady guide us back, and anyone we passed wished us a Happy Anniversary – if you’re there celebrating an occasion, be sure to let them know so they can celebrate with you! Our table was off to the side near the kitchen, so we could watch as they worked their culinary magic. One of our servers, Chris, greeted us quickly and double checked any food allergies or preferences (they also called about a week before to check on this). We had a sparkling cider (or champagne, if you drink alcohol) toast with the wonderful Chefde Cuisine, Aimee Rivera. She talked with us a bit first, explaining how the evening would go and let us know we were free to get up from the table, we just had to stay behind the little half-wall separating our area from the kitchen – due to safety reasons of course. She was very friendly, and though was running a major kitchen and plenty of staff, never made us feel rushed in our conversations.

We got to watch for a tiny bit after that, enjoying learning a bit about the kitchen. They told us we were free to ask questions to any of the staff there, and even though I was hesitant at first because you could tell they were busy and focused on their tasks, they were all very friendly and welcomed anything we asked, offering plenty of answer and conversation.

It was really nice getting to be a part of the kitchen experience, but also have our own private space to just be us discussing our meal, our trip and what we were watching from the super busy – yet smoothly-ran – kitchen.

If you’re like us and love taking photos of your food – or plan to share those photos like I am in this article – then I recommend taking a good DSLR camera, so you can adjust it for the lighting. Hubby kept taking pictures of ME while I was taking pictures of things during our whole trip, so of course he grabbed some during the meal 🙂

We had several different staff members come talk to us during the entire experience – which lasted about 4-5 hours – either to just chat with us for some pleasant conversation, or to explain our next course. It was really interesting as they went into detail for each part of our meal, and why certain things were paired the way they were. And don’t worry – you get a copy of the menu to bring home with you, so you don’t have to try to memorize every single course – there are TEN, after all (and two of those are desserts – yummy)!

Here’s a bigger photo of our menu – keep in mind it does change periodically, so yours may be different than ours. This is the main menu, without any changes or substitutions.

Okay, let’s get to the FOOD!!! It was absolutely delicious – and even though I was worried since I don’t like any seafood, they were very accommodating and made changes as needed. For example, I had a chicken version of the John Dory and roasted quail in place of the wild turbot. If you have a preference, don’t hesitate to let them know. Also, they WANT you to have the most incredible experience possible – they made sure we loved everything we had, and if we didn’t, they were eager to make something different in place. This was probably the most friendly, amazing staff I’ve ever had the joy of meeting at any dining experience!

Bread, Salt & Black Truffle Butter

You get several bread servings throughout the meal, with a variety of salts to choose from. I personally loved the pink one. They also brought out plain some black truffle butter which was DELICIOUS!

Course 1: Amuse-Bouche, Cauliflower Panna Cotta with Imperial Caviar

The mix of creamy with the crunch of the chips really blended well and the flavor was super smooth. While I don’t like seafood, I did like this caviar with this dish.

Optional Up-Purchase: Galilee Osetra Caviar with Traditional Garnishes ($105 for 1/2 oz. or $210 for 1 oz.) – we opted not to do this

Course 2: Seared Duck Breast with Farro & Asian Pears

I loved the way the sweet pear accented the flavor of the duck, and the little sauce dots just finished it all off perfectly.

Course 3: John Dory with Poppy Seed & Lemon Ravioli (Mine was a substitute of Green Circle Chicken)

This might have been my favorite non-beef dish of the whole evening because oh-my-goodness the lemon sauce was unforgettable. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!

Course 4: Wild Turbot with Toasted Capers & Preserved Lemon (I had Roasted Quail with House made Sauerkraut)

I was surprised at the great texture of this, and that the capers didn’t have that overly-strong taste that they can often have. Super tasty!

I think they gave us an extra course (because I counted 11 with this, and this wasn’t on my menu at all): New Zealand Langoustine with Nage Crema

This was hubby’s – and he totally loved it! He said it was mild in ‘seafood’ taste, to that I’d probably enjoy it as well, but I didn’t give it a try. Wish I had, though!

Course 5: Marcho Farms Veal with Black Truffles

Guys, they even shaved some black truffle onto our meal – that stuff is VERY expensive, so I felt really special. I don’t typically like veal, but this was tender and the flavor of the the whole dish complimented itself so well that I really enjoyed it.

Course 6: Lamb Loin with Barley Porridge & Compressed Plums

I definitely want to try making lamb at home with some plums because WOW they went together so deliciously.

Course 7: Austrailian Kobe-Style Beef with Roasted Garlic Potatoes – can also add up-charge of Miyazaki Japanese Beef for $55 (HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!)

THIS is the absolute highlight of the meal – and please please please give the Miyazaki beef a try because it was INCREDIBLE! It’s from special cows in Japan that are fed saki, massaged, kept away from most people to keep their stress down, listen to classical music, etc. Crazy, right? When you taste this melt-in-your-mouth-like-butter meat, though, you’ll agree that they’re doing it right. Only about a cows-worth of this beef comes into the USA each year, and Victoria & Alberts is one of maybe 15 places in the country that get it. Hubby was practically moaning because it tasted so good – you should’ve seen his face, absolute foodie bliss! These beef is the one on the right – the left is the Austrailian Kobe-style that was still some of the best beef I’ve ever had, until trying the other one, that is 🙂

Course 8: Selection of Cheese from the Market

This is where I learned how eager the team at Victoria & Albert’s Chefs Table are to please – there was ONE of the cheeses on this plate that I really didn’t like (a few I loved, some were fine, but one was really too much for me), and within like 20 seconds of trying it – and probably making a weird face – one of our serves, who I didn’t see anywhere nearby, came up asking if they can make me something else to replace it. He asked very earnestly, and though I politely declined (I was already feeling so full – but very happily so) I was really grateful for the attention and offer. So if you don’t like something and DO want something different, I know they’d be glad to oblige!

Course 9: Cranberry Sweet Potato Gateau

I’m a huge chocolate-lover, as you all well know, but this dessert was so creamy and smooth, with an amazing-yet-mild cranberry taste to it that was complimented by the other sauces on the plate that it was probably my favorite dessert of the night.

Course 10: Peruvian Chocolate Crunch

This chocolate dessert definitely didn’t disappoint either – it was rich and dark, but creamy and not overwhelming at all, like some darker chocolates can be. And yes, that’s edible gold foil on there!

Yes, the courses appear really small – but don’t worry, you will leave VERY full and satisfied! We weren’t sure we’d every be hungry again!

If you happen to notice a box on one of the shelves nearby your table…..it’s full of CHOCOLATES that you get to choose some from at the completion of your evening. If you’re too full (I can almost guarantee you will be) don’t worry, just ask them to box some up for you to take for later.

All the ladies also get a fresh ROSE which was a beautiful touch and really added more romance and thoughtfulness to the whole experience. The staff gave us a delicious orange-bread that we loved having for breakfast the next morning, as their way of thanking us for coming. I felt like laughing because we couldn’t thank THEM enough for how truly unforgettable, delicious and down-right enjoyable the whole night was. From the friendly, helpful and generous staff to the food I can’t wait to eat again sometime, it was our favorite part of our whole trip.

I highly recommend trying Victoria & Albert’s Chefs Table the next time you’re celebrating something special – we plan to come back for our 15th or 20th (or both!) wedding anniversary!

Thank you to Chef Aimee, Chris, and the entire team at Victoria & Alberts Chefs Table for such a magical and delightful night!

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

December 1, 2017 by Danielle

I have no idea how many years I’ve wanted to spend the actual Christmas season (not the day, of course, but sometime around then) at a Disney theme park. When hubby suggested I do a quick trip over my birthday to check out all their holiday offerings, I was THRILLED! And of course I couldn’t miss out on Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

First things first – it isn’t the normal theme park entry ticket. Even if you have an annual pass, or paid for a regular ticket for that day, you do NOT get to go to the party unless you buy the actual Very Merry Christmas Party ticket. They range in price from the $80-$102 range, depending on child or adult and the dates. They begin filtering out those guests who do NOT have a pass to the party in the late afternoon, then the ‘official’ party begins at 7pm. Don’t worry though – if you have a ticket to the party, you can get into the Magic Kingdom starting at 4pm, too! That gives you a few extra hours of fun before the festivities really begin.

Similar to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, there’s special ‘treat’ stations around the park – but you don’t go trick-or-treating. Instead, they have various snacks and drinks for you, such as cookies or Dove chocolates, and cider, eggnog, snow cones and hot cocoa. These are complimentary during the party, so don’t hesitate to enjoy! I especially loved the soft ginger-molasses ones served at Liberty Town Hall. Look on your special party map for the candy cane signs, then keep an eye out along your path for the TALL blow-up candy canes showing you where that treat spot is.

There’s also some special characters that come out, though not as many as the Halloween party (at least that I could tell). The big hit seemed to be Jack Skellington as ‘Sandy Claws’ – if you want to see him, better line up early! I was told he shows up starting at about 6pm (unofficially told, so don’t be upset if that’s incorrect), and when I passed by at 6:35pm it looked like the line was already a good 45 minutes long at least!

There’s fun holiday lights all over the park, and everything seems to glow in reds, greens and blues for the season. My absolute FAVORITE part was the castle though – it’s GORGEOUS all lit up in sparkling lights that look like crystal snow! If you go on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – when you’re going up the second incline slowly – look to your right to check out a new point of view of this beautiful castle.

There’s SO MUCH TO DO during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, so be sure to plan out your evening to fit in the items at the top of your list! Here’s a breakdown….

Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration

This takes place in front of the castle, and if you want a really good spot you HAVE to get there pretty early. Mickey, Minnie and a BUNCH of their Disney pals put on a song-filled show that kids and adults were dancing and singing along with. The first song was – I admit – a little strange, and made me feel like it was Disney’s attempt at being ‘cool’ with the new generations. Just watch it and you’ll understand..and maybe text your holiday greetings this holiday 😉

All the songs were great fun, and it was a good length that kids didn’t seem to loose interest. I think my kids would’ve LOVED it, because even I thought it was really entertaining – plus you see so many of the favorite characters at once!

A Frozen Holiday Wish

This was timed really well, so most were able to stay in their spot from Mickey’s show to see Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and good ol’ Olaf greet the ‘villagers’ of this new land, and watch as Elsa uses her amazing powers to bring the castle to life with bright, sparkling crystals! Any Frozen fans will surely not want to miss this.

Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade

Anna and Elsa join the parade with a bunch of holiday-dressed friends, from the classics like Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy, to the princesses WITH their princes, and even Vanellope and Ralph show up in Christmas-clad fun! At the end, the BIG MAN himself makes an appearance, which was a big delight for all the guests! This usually occurs very shortly after the stage shows, so I recommend getting a spot for those near the castle but along the curb, so you can just turn around and be right in front for the parade.

If the kids are near the edge, usually the cast members will do something entertaining with them until the parade starts to keep them happy and occupied. The group by where I was standing were twirling and dancing, then taking turns having each side of the road yell ‘Merry’ then the other ‘Christmas’!

A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas!

This was great for little kids, but also for the pre-teens because it was more bouncy-type music that plenty of people were rockin’ around to. Buzz Lightyear, Mike Wazowski and Stitch join in this musical fun, and the end holds a big surprise as the crew sings to welcome ‘Santa’! Honestly, this was probably my favorite little show because it wasn’t too long, the songs were fun, the dancing was unique and great, and the ‘story’ was really sweet. Plus – STITCH!!! Don’t miss this over in Tomorrowland.

VoicePlay

These guys are a vocals-only group that sings several holiday tunes for a festive little dance party in Tomorrowland, as well. It was more like a ‘mini-concert’ than a ‘show’, but still plenty of good times to be had by all. A sweet little ol’ lady was near me and just dancing around like crazy. I want to be HER when I grow up!

Club Tinsel

Over at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe was an on-going party that went the entire time Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party lasts. With an awesome DJ, blasting music, fun lights and an open dance floor, I saw several parents unable to get their kids away because they were having a total blast! Characters like polar bears or reindeer switch out during the night, so your kiddos always have some fun new friends to dance with/around.

This would be PERFECT if you parents need a little rest – sit at a table to keep an eye on our kids, then let them wear themselves out with a holiday dance party!

Holiday Wishes Fireworks

You know the drill – get your spot EARLY if you’re picky! These were actually really well done – and don’t miss Tinkerbelle flying from the castle (to the right side) at the beginning! Done to beautiful music, with Jiminy Cricket narrating, there was plenty of bright lights, fun sights displayed onto the castle, and a touching feeling of the holiday season. A side note – I know people want their kids to see, but it’s heartbreaking for a kid who has a spot where they can see, only to have a parent put their own kid on their shoulders right in front of them so now their view is blocked. I you want to ensure your kid can see please plan ahead and get a good spot that doesn’t need you to do that – it may be better for your kid, but blocks for so many others.

Don’t forget about the rides still open during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party – because there were times there were hardly any lines, especially after the mad-dash of people left as soon as the fireworks were done! Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at a 10 minute wait? Yes, please! Thunder Mountain over and over? Don’t mind if I do.

And DO NOT miss the ~~Jungle~~ Jingle Cruise – I think I like this version better than the normal one the rest of the year!

If you’re a big shopper, don’t forget to check out the merchandise that’s only available to party-goers! Things like shirts, pins and more make for something more unique to take back home and remember your trip.

Yes, the tickets to the party do cost a pretty penny, but it’s a truly memorable experience that I really hope to share with my kiddos some year soon. Rides with shorter lines, entertainment, treats, fake snow falling, and a wonderful holiday spirit – what more could you ask for?!

Tour Guide for Couples: Is it Worth It?

November 28, 2017 by Danielle

It’s no secret that I’m a HUGE fan of theme parks, so when I convinced hubby to include Disney World in our big anniversary trip I was THRILLED! One thing he wasn’t sure about, though, was having a tour guide with us some of the days. He was worried it wouldn’t be worth it, or that it’d be awkward having a third person with just the two of us – but he agreed to give it a try. So here’s the big question: Is a Tour Guide for Couples worth it? I was convinced already, but read on to see what hubby thought…

As soon as hubby gave the go-ahead, I contacted my friends at Michael’s VIPs because there were absolutely AMAZING last year when I took my mom to Orlando. As always, Adam was super helpful with the planning and coordinating everything from the very beginning up until our vacation ending. I introduced y’all to the great guides I got to meet and work with last year in this post, and I was super excited to learn that we’d get Renee for our trip this year! She’s one of those people you can’t help but absolutely love, almost like an old friend even if you’ve just met.

She joined hubby and me for two of our days in the parks – the first day at Magic Kingdom, meeting us outside Be Our Guest restaurant after our early breakfast reservation. We went right into a day full of every ride we wanted to do, never waiting more than 10 minutes. She knew how to navigate her way around the crowds, what times events happened so when to avoid certain spots, and which rides had higher traffic at particular times of day. Renee was so good at her job, that we’d done everything we’d wanted to do once by 1pm, when she said her goodbye for the day, leaving us with still hours to redo whatever we decided and having no worries about ‘fitting it in’!

Like I told you, after last year both my mom and I were completely convinced that a tour guide from Michael’s VIPs was the best way to do the parks in Orlando, so I already knew I’d love having Renee with us for this trip. But was hubby convinced? On the very first day after Renee left us in the afternoon at Magic Kingdom, he turned to me and said something like ‘okay, you’re right – that made a huge difference, and was so much less stressful!’ We were use to being rushed, stressed about planning and kind of burnt out in our past trips together because we had to know and handle everything. He realized that having a tour guide saves so much time and effort!

Here’s why you need a Tour Guide for Couples

1: They help with the planning

Yup, whether they’re helping you as just a couple or an entire group, they assist with the scheduling, planning, dining reservations and getting fast passes. They also know which rides get busiest when, so know which rides to do first, what to wait for, and which don’t really matter, which saves you lots of time and hassle.

2: They know the parks and schedules

I ‘sort of’ know my way around Walt Disney World parks now, but still find myself hesitating and getting a little turned around at times. Not only that, but during our night at Magic Kingdom, when it was just us and not Renee, I walked us right into a crowd watching the parade and it took us FOREVER to find our way out and around! With a guide, she took us around the crowds because she knew when people would start lining up, the parade and show routes, and could avoid them completely. This also does help when you WANT to watch the shows and parades – I was mistaken that night for one of the shows and we didn’t get good spots at all, which was disappointing. I know Renee would’ve had us in prime position for seeing the stage if she were with us!

3: The know the bathrooms, food places and more

How much time do you waste trying to find a bathroom asap? Since the guides know the layout and location of everything in the parks so well, they ask you throughout the day when you’re near one so you never end up rushing. This can be especially great for family’s with kiddos, but worked also for us as a couple because we didn’t have to ‘do you need to go? No, do you? No…..’ (but really you do). One of hubby’s ‘have to do’ items was enjoy a Dole Whip, so when we were at a good location and timing to nab one Renee let us know and it fit in flawlessly.

4: They can take photos of the two of you

When it’s just the two of you, it’s super hard sometimes to get good photos together. During our trip, we had TONS of selfies of us together, but you can’t exactly do a great post or have much of a background in those. When Renee was with us, she never hesitated to snap a photo in a good location (she knew lots!) or even catch us on a ride together without us knowing! When you’re on a trip as a couple, photos together are some of the BEST souvenirs you can get!

5: More rides with less waiting, giving you more time together NOT standing around

Since we got so much done and experienced in such a small amount of time, we were able to go slow and really enjoy ourselves, and each other’s company, the rest of the day. We’d done all the rides we wanted to at least once, so it was no big deal to sit on a bench, holding hands or snuggling a bit, and watching people. Or we sat at a table and talked more about the week ahead, the fun we’d had so far, and just have a good time. Without the stress, worry or rush, it’s a whole new world enjoying your time together!

6: Sometimes they can get you AMAZING seats

These guides can work magic, I swear. Renee was able to get us reserved ‘priority’ seating for The Festival of the Lion King during our second day with her at Animal Kingdom, so we were right in the very front – plus we just showed up and were led in right before it started, no waiting around forever while people took their seats. This led to one of my favorite moments of the trip – hubby being called up to demonstrate the ‘warthog sound’ for our Warthog section! He snorted so funny, even the lady couldn’t control her laugh much! I started recording just a split second after he made the sound, but the reaction is clearly comical 🙂

During the show, we also were right were the performers would go by – I had some of the ‘monkey’s trying to pull ‘bugs’ out of my hair to eat as they twirled by!

But does it feel weird having a ‘third wheel’?

Not one single bit! We still enjoyed plenty of time talking just us, but also had fun with our conversations with Renee. She went on just a couple rides with us (Flight of Passage, because I don’t expect ANYBODY to pass that amazing ride up!), but stayed off the vast majority so we had time together with just us. We never felt awkward or like we had to accommodate her even the slightest. Oh, and she was actually super helpful on some of the rides she did go on with us – like the Na’vi River Journey, she offered to take photos for us so that we could just sit and really take it all in as we rode!

I’ll be perfectly honest – hubby was VERY against the idea of hiring a tour guide before this trip, but I’m so glad he let us try it because now he’s completely convinced it’s the best way to do theme parks! We’re hoping to take our kiddos to Walt Disney World next year, and he agreed that we HAVE to give Michael’s VIPs a call because if it was that helpful for just the two of us, he knows it’ll be a total game-changer when we have our five kids along for the fun!

Contact Michael’s VIPS today for the most fun, relaxing and stress-free trip ever!

Still not sure? Check out our other thoughts on hiring a tour guide!

10 Reasons to Choose Michael’s VIPS

Meet Michael’s VIPS

2017 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

October 26, 2017 by Danielle

We just got back from our big, belated 10-year anniversary trip and can’t wait to tell you all the fun we had! Since Halloween-time is almost over, though, I wanted to first share all the fun decor, shows, treats and more we got to enjoy during the 2017 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World!

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Yes, for our kid-free anniversary trip we totally went to Disney World for part of it – after all, we’re just big kids at heart! Since I enjoyed this extra ticketed event so much last year when I went with my mom, hubby wanted to give it a try for himself. First of all, it’s important to know that tickets for this party are NOT your normal day park tickets – they’re a special event, so require a special ticket purchase and some dates do sell out. We paid around $90-$100 each for our tickets – some dates are a bit more or less than others, so be sure to check the calendar on Disney World’s website.

If you have a ticket for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, you can ‘unofficially’ enter the park starting at 4pm. Anyone that doesn’t have a pass for this event must leave the park about 7pm when the party really starts. You get a special wrist-band so they know if you’re part of the allowed crowd or not 🙂 Be sure to grab a party-specific program as well so you can find all the different sections, times of events, etc.

7 Reasons You Need to Try Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

#1: Trick-or-Treating Around the Park

There are a lot of stations all around the park – from outside restaurants to inside of rides (that are closed for the party, like Jungle Cruise or Tiki Room). This year there were 13 (perfect number for Halloween, right?) stations. Look for this tall, blow-up markers that glow once it’s dark that help you find where to nab some treats next!

You receive a bag to hold all your goodies when you enter (and I was told you can get another if your first bag gets too full – which is likely to happen). I saw a lot of people with their own bags, too, since these were a little smaller. Hubby and I only went to THREE of the 13 locations (some locations do have more than 1 spot passing out candy, too) and this was our haul…

A good 50-ish pieces of candy. Yum! It was fun going through the lines and ‘trick or treating’ like little kids again. And you could tell the ACTUAL kids really loved it!

#2: Awesome Costumes = Great Photos

For awhile, we just sat planning our next moves and people-watching as more people joined the party. There were plenty of people who didn’t dress up – we didn’t want to pack extra, so other than my Maleficent ears we were pretty boring. But it seemed a large majority took the effort to wear costumes – from whole families sticking to the same theme (Peter Pan, Wendy and her brothers – or we saw Scrooge McDuck with the 3 little ducks Huey, Dewey, and Louie) to just individual costumes. We rode the 7 Dwarfs Mine Train in front of this amazingly creative duo….

It was so fun that they put these on for the photo DURING the ride!

Photo from Memory Maker

So whether you dress up yourself, or just enjoy all the fun costumes around you, there’s more than enough variety to make this party awesome!

#3: Decor & Atmosphere

Once 7pm hit, the atmosphere of the park totally changed – fog machines made a cool eerie look, while fun-yet-creepy music played. Lighting was changed, with glowing Mickey head pumpkins everywhere. At the Haunted Mansion, the cast members wear ‘extra’ cool costumes with their faces painted. The whole mood is very Halloween-y, but not in a scary way, of course!

#4: Hocus Pocus Show & Boo to You Parades

I admit, I’ve never seen the movie Hocus Pocus – but hubby quotes it enough that I get the jist of it! The show they do during this event is spectacular – so funny, with lots of villainous characters and great music. Even us adults thought it was fabulous! It’s done in front of the castle, complete with light-affects on the castle itself and fireworks.

The parade is also fun, though not my favorite. The music is good, and seeing characters in Halloween costumes was something unique.

#5: Special Treats & Souvenirs

There’s some rare treats and souvenirs you can get JUST during the party, as well! From ornaments and candies, to decor or special shirts, the limited edition items are known to sell out – so be sure to shop early on during the event if you have your eye on something good.

We tried several of the treats that were only available during the party – like the Haunted Mansion Desserts (very yummy!) with white chocolate ‘photo’ from the ride itself on top! Hubby was so excited to try the Candy Corn Soft-Serve Ice Cream, but was very disappointed and actually ended up throwing it away after the first few licks or so. He really loved the Pumpkin Ice Cream at Plaza Ice Cream Parlor, though, even though I don’t think that one is just specific to the party.

#6: Rare Characters & Extra People

There’s a LOT of characters out during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party…they don’t want to miss the fun either, after all! We didn’t take time to visit any of them ourselves, but walking by I noticed they were taking more time with people than normal, which made for a more entertaining interaction and more fun photo opps. Last year I did meet Tarzan, Jane & Turk at the same spot – and Tarzan learned the hard way that M&M wrappers must be ‘peeled’ like a banana, not just eat the wrapper! Characters like ALL Seven Dwarfs, Jack Skellington with Sally, and many more had large lines, so plan ahead for who you want to see.

There’s also other ‘characters’ around, like a butler on the grounds outside the Haunted Mansion telling stories, which was fun to listen to.

#7: Unique Photo Opps

There were giant Orange-Pumpkin Ornament things you could take photos in front of, plus plenty of PhotoPass photographers available around the park. For the PhotoPass/Memory Maker Photos, there’s even special effects that are exclusive during the party – don’t miss out! Check out Hubby’s ‘surprise’….

Photo from Memory Maker

Bonus Reason: Lines for Rides are Shorter

Since there’s all the characters, parades, shows, trick-or-treating and more to do, the rides weren’t nearly as busy! We rode Big Thunder Mountain Railroad about 5 (might’ve been more, I lost count!) times in a row – and the wait was just however long it took you to walk out the exit and back around to get back on the ride!

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Lunch with an Imagineer at Hollywood Brown Derby

October 21, 2017 by Danielle

During our trip to Walt Disney World last year, I was eager to try something a bit extra-unique in the parks. When I hear about their ‘dine with an Imagineer’ experiences, I thought it would be a lot of fun and really interesting. I was so glad we chose to do the Lunch with an Imagineer at Hollywood Brown Derby at Hollywood Studios, because it was not only educational, but super delicious!

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This experience is reserved for only a small group, and you get the back room at the restaurant just for yourselves. The Imagineer you get to chat with that day – it’s always a surprise, and could be anyone – sits at the head so everyone can see and hear him/her. Ours was Sarah Matthews, a print collateral designer. She helps design a lot of the print materials – menus, the fun printable hats kids enjoy at some restaurants, programs, etc. Once at your table, you get your own personalized menu. They bring out a soup, salad, your choice of entree then a dessert. Everything was AMAZING!!!

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I made a reservation at Hollywood Brown Derby for hubby and mine’s trip, and am so eager to eat their delicious food again. And seriously – how adorable is that chocolate sphere with the little hat?!

The staff was also incredible, being right there whenever needed – yet not being obtrusive. During the meal we got to talk with Sarah and ask any and all questions about her job. I’m sure if there was anything confidential she wouldn’t have been able to answer, but we learned a lot about her career and all that goes into it. She brought a lot of samples of things she’s helped design/create and passed them around for us to look at. It was neat seeing the variety and possibilities of things as ‘simple’ as menus!

Everyone got a keepsake to take home – a fun porcelain (or glass, or ceramic?) plate – which Sarah was kind enough to autograph for each of us. We made sure to take a photo with her, and were truly grateful for all her time and info she shared with us.

If you’re looking for a different type of dining experience at Walt Disney World – one with incredible food, friendly staff and fun conversation you can learn from – then I highly recommend trying lunch with an Imagineer at Hollywood Brown Derby!

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Chef Mickey’s Breakfast at Walt Disney World

September 24, 2017 by Danielle

I’d heard a lot of hype about Chef Mickey’s Breakfast at Walt Disney World, so for our trip last year I just had to try it out for myself. People said it’s the best place to see characters and that it’s such a fun time. While there are fun characters and plenty of buffet-quality food, I’m still not sold on taking my whole family here. Read on to find out why!

Chef Mickey’s can be found near the top of the Contemporary Resort near Magic Kingdom. Reservations here fill up REALLY fast, so be sure to clock those in at 180 days out! Now, this is a breakfast buffet where classic characters come around, but not a ‘high-end’ restaurant, so the dress code was very lax. I even saw some families in pjs, so feel free to go dressed for what’s comfortable/appropriate for you! Just outside the entrance they had a little Mickey statue and some photopass photographers, so be sure to nab a photo while you’re there.

I did love that there was a LOT of variety at this breakfast buffet – everything from pastries, waffles, meats, variety of eggs, fruits and more. It was normal buffet quality, nothing fancy, but the options were endless so I think that made up for it. It’s a great place if you’re wanting to have a HUGE breakfast so you don’t have to eat lunch until later.

Here’s some of the foods we tried…

The whole place had a really classic Mickey-type theme…even the napkin holders had Mickey heads! All the red and yellow coloring was a little much for me, but it worked well with this place overall.

Now, if you’re going for the food I highly recommend choosing someplace else! BUT – if you really want to meet the classic characters without waiting in long lines, this was a good place to get that done. We saw Mickey, Donald, Pluto and Goofy. They didn’t spend a LOT of time at our table, but it was fine for a quick photo and autograph. At one point in the meal they turned up the music and danced around with the kids, which seemed to be popular.

The reason I would prefer someplace else with characters – like Tusker House or somewhere – is that it was pretty pricey for regular buffet food (but did have good variety, it had that going for it) and although it was fun seeing the characters, it was really nosy. PLUS it doesn’t allow you early access to a park like a restaurant inside the parks would do. I haven’t written off Chef Mickey’s completely, but will really consider things before choosing to eat here next time.

If you’ve eaten at Chef Mickey’s what were your thoughts?

Cinderella’s Royal Table Lunch at Magic Kingdom

September 20, 2017 by Danielle

During our trip to Walt Disney World last October, one of the restaurants I absolutely refused to not try was Cinderella’s Royal Table Lunch at Magic Kingdom. I mean, guys – you eat inside a princesses castle! Yes, it totally brought out the little girl in me 🙂 It’s not just the amazing atmosphere, though – the food, the staff, meeting princesses and a little special activity make this a truly magical experience you just can’t miss!

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To find the entrance to Cinderella’s Royal Table, you go to the BACK of the castle….

It’s right across the walkway from the carousel…

…don’t worry though, there’s plenty of signs once you’re at the back of the castle to find where to check in for your reservation.

Now, this is one of those reservations that you NEED to schedule 180 days in advance because it fills up super quickly. Another thing to note is that it’s a fixed price (then you get a few choices for each course), and you do have to pay when you make your reservation. It’s a bit pricey, but if you have a little princess in your family it’s a GREAT lunch option, especially since you get to meet several of the princesses!

I was so glad we had our awesome tour guide from Michael’s VIPs to take some photos of my mom and I – plus we made her get in one by herself as well! The meal starts with a ‘tasting plate’ of various meats and cheeses for the table to share, then you select which entree and dessert you each want. A non-alcoholic beverage (like soda, regular coffee, iced tea, hot cocoa, lemonade punch, apple juice or milk) is included with your meal. The food was fresh and delicious, and definitely filling!

Remember that special activity I mentioned? Don’t spoil the surprise for your littles, but….at the start they give you a wand (or sword) and a sparkly, little wishing star. At one point during the meal, music comes on and lights twinkle all around the room as everyone waves their wands/swords to the magic words (bippity boppity boo, of course) and make a wish on their own special star! Super cute, and you could tell all the kids absolutely loved it!

The staff were all dressed to match the theme, and everyone was super friendly, making sure our lunch experience was as magical as possible. I highly recommend making a reservation at Cinderella’s Royal Table Lunch for your next Walt Disney World vacation!

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Why You Should Eat at Yak & Yeti at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

August 16, 2017 by Danielle

There’s no limit to the dining options at Walt Disney World in Orlando, but some are better to pass over in exchange for better choices, right? When my mom and I took our trip last year, we got to eat at all sorts of places, and today I wanted to share with you Why You Should Eat at Yak & Yeti at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It’s definitely a don’t-miss restaurant, and your taste buds won’t be disappointed!

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We were able to dine at the Yak & Yeti restaurant during lunch for our day at Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom, and by mid-day we sure were hungry! Joining us was our wonderful guide for the day, Chris, as well as the owner of Michael’s VIPs, Adam. They were great company, and it gave us a chance to see more of the dishes offered.

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They do have a Yak & Yeti restaurant (that we went to), but there’s also a Yak & Yeti Cafe that serves basically the same food, I believe, it’s just more of an on-the-go meal than a nice sit-down, so make your choice accordingly. Yak & Yeti is a Nepalese-style restaurant, and it’s designed to look like a little village home transformed into a restaurant. Southeast Asian artifacts adorn every wall, so there’s no shortage of interesting things to look at or explore. We had a lovely seat right by a window on the 2nd (or was it 3rd?) floor, and I loved that the atmosphere was cozy and not too loud, but not so hushed you were afraid to talk.

While I absolutely loved the decor (the ginormous warrior suit was my favorite), I was concerned about it being pan-Asian cuisine – would everything be too spicy? Would there be things even picky eaters would enjoy? Once I got looking through the menu, though, I had no worries because they had a HUGE assortment of different type dishes, from pot stickers and egg rolls to salmon, ribs, soups and salads. The kids menu was also perfect, with a little something for every taste.

The staff was wonderful and very attentive, yet not rushed or too ‘in your face’. Everything was served fresh, drinks were kept filled, and while the meal didn’t take very long we also didn’t feel rushed at all. The pricing is also right on point for a decent lunch, especially considering it’s in a Walt Disney World park!

Don’t forget to contact Adam at Michael’s VIPs for help with your next vacation, since they can help you get your ideal dining reservations, fast pass+ tickets and so much more. I’ll never do a Disney World trip without one of their incredible tour guides again!

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Crystal Palace Buffet at Walt Disney World

July 14, 2017 by Danielle

I’ve shared a LOT of the amazing time we had in Orlando last year, including several of the great places we ate. Today I wanted to share our experience during dinner at the Crystal Palace Buffet at Walt Disney World. If you’re a fan of Winnie the Pooh, this is the place to go to meet all those favorite characters while grabbing a tasty bite to eat!

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The Crystal Palace Buffet is located in Magic Kingdom, a little to the side of the main square area before the castle. It does the Winnie the Pooh characters – we saw Pooh Bear, Tigger, and Eeyore during out visit. We saw piglet from a distance, but he never made it to the table in the over hour we were there. There was a family sitting next to us (were done with their meal before we even arrived) who stayed that whole time we ate just because they still hadn’t seen Tigger, so probably about 2 hours they waited until he made it there. The characters were great, very happy and friendly and taking their time at the tables.

Don’t forget to grab our Disney Trip Activity & Autograph Book, full of great fun to keep kids (and adults) happy while in lines, waiting for parades – and, of course, creative autograph pages for your favorite characters!

We went for dinner, and it had general dinner buffet-type foods such as roast beef (was fantastic), vegetables, fruits, salad bar, and plenty of tasty desserts. When we went, it was super crowded so I never managed to get photos of the actual buffet – sorry! The foods we did try tasted great – nothing spectacular, of course, but a good, filling buffet with plenty of variety for anyone in the family.

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The staff was friendly and liked to chat – when we saw them. Probably due to how crowded it was, it took a long while between visits to our table by our waiter. We never got our drinks refilled while we were there, simply because by the time he came around asking if we needed refills we were ready to leave. The great team at Michael’s VIPs can help you know when each of the parks should be busy, or where the best spots to eat based on your preferences are – give them a try!

The atmosphere was very bright and clean – and plants everywhere, like the fun centerpiece with floral Winnie the Pooh characters!

The general theme of the ‘event’ is that the Hundred Acre Woods is doing their Friendship Day ‘Celebrazhun’ – and everyone that attends is a friend! They do a song and parade with the characters, and plenty of kids joined in and looked like they were having a wonderful time.

Overall, I was really disappointed with the Crystal Palace Buffet at Walt Disney World – but again, it was super crowded which contributed to the busy staff and slow characters. I am looking forward to giving it another try in the future just because I think it could be a great family meal with fun characters and friendly staff – just maybe not on a night they’re doing Mickey’s Not-so-Scary Halloween Party so it hopefully wouldn’t be so busy. Plus it’s very air-conditioned, which was wonderful on a hot day!

Keep in mind, this is a review about MY experience – different days, times, staff, seasons, and everything else can affect how it goes, so just because it wasn’t great for me doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be absolutely amazing for you!

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Walt Disney World California Grill Restaurant

June 26, 2017 by Danielle

When I visited Orlando last year, I wanted to try a wide variety of restaurants and food vendors to get the whole wide experience. Since we stayed at The Contemporary Resort the latter part, I was thrilled to nab a reservation at the Walt Disney World California Grill Restaurant! It’s clear up at the top of that resort, and not only has delicious food and amazing views, but a completely amazing atmosphere that would be perfect for a romantic dining experience!

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When it’s time to check in for your dining reservation at the California Grill, you meet at the desk and they notify upstairs. You’re then escorted on a special, private elevator up to the top of the resort for your table. The whole place has a classy look and feel to it, and also had a wonderful, open kitchen so you could watch the magic happen for your food. We got settled with fruity drinks, and a ‘fancy’ butter with rolls that were a great start. I’m a huge fan of tomato & cheese appetizers, so ordered that and told them we were sharing (I was with my friend Amy). They even divided it for us onto separate plates and made them both look very beautiful!

I’m sure you’re wondering, so YES there were families with kids at the restaurant – it is Disney World, after all – so it wasn’t a completely peaceful atmosphere, but overall was just great and they hardly affected or bothered us at all. Reservations CAN be hard to nab here, but luckily Michael’s VIPs got us all the reservations we were wanting, and we had an ideal time during sunset for this meal.

I ordered a nice cut of steak and it was cooked PERFECTLY how I wanted. It was tender and full of great flavor. I absolutely LOVED it! When they brought the huge plate with the ‘little’ (at least it looked like it on the plate) food on it, I was concerned about leaving hungry. NOPE! It was so filling, and I was almost too full for dessert. ALMOST!

It was so hard to choose, but of course I had to go with a chocolate type 🙂

After our meal, it was so neat to go onto the deck – remember we’re at the top of the resort, so really high up – and look out over the Magic Kingdom park that’s right next door. You could see the lights and hear some of the Halloween Party that was going on at the moment. It’s also important to note – if you dine anytime during the day at The California Grill, just bring back your recipe at night and you can go to their deck area to view the fireworks. INCREDIBLE!

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Star Wars & Trading with Jawas at Walt Disney World

May 31, 2017 by Danielle

When my mom and I went on our trip last October, I couldn’t wait to check out everything Star Wars at Hollywood Studios Orlando. I mean, y’all KNOW how much of a fan I am, right? There was so much to see and do, and I’m sharing everything Star Wars & Trading with Jawas at Walt Disney World with you!

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I’ve heard they’ve added new meet & greet opportunities, like BB-8, but when we went it was Chewbacca and Kilo Ren. Chewie was awesome and welcomed us with a big, furry hug. Kilo, on the other hand, was super serious – and he wasn’t thrilled that our guide, Rob, was sporting an awesome Millennium Falcon shirt. Obviously we were with the rebellion, which Kilo made a point to mention and try to persuade us to the dark side – to no luck, of course 🙂

There’s no way a Star Wars fan can miss the ride, Star Tours – and what better entrance than walking under a huge Imperial Walker?! I’ve always loved this ride, and it was even better since they’ve now added places from the newer films, making even more possible locations you’ll fly through in your space journey.

While waiting to meet the characters, it was great looking at all the helmets, weapons and figures they had displayed. There’s stuff from the original and new movies, as well as the Star Wars Rebels series – notice Sabine’s helmet in the middle below? That girl’s got style!

I love that our awesome guide Rob from Michael’s VIPs knew about as much about Star Wars as I do, which made for fun conversation as we explored.

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Everyone knows about the Jedi Training Academy, and while my kids have yet to get a chance to participate in it, we’ve always enjoyed watching it. It was a bit different here than in Disneyland, but still awesome and fun. You can grab a drink nearby and sit in the shade to watch while you take a little rest, if you want – we did!

Captain Phasma and her Stormtroopers do quite the march for the First Order, and she makes sure everyone knows that SHE is in charge!

One thing on my ‘absolutely must do no matter what’ list was trading with Jawas. I’ve heard it’s kind of hit or miss as to what they’ll trade for (never money or trash, but they seem to like shiny things), so I took a few options. I got a couple of cheap Disney-themed keychains, in case they had an eye for one style of another. My new Jawa friend was pleased to trade a ‘build your own droid’ piece for my Belle keychain. My kids would’ve LOVED that, so we’ll see what we can trade for next time!

As with most (if not all) Disney rides, you end up in a store – since this was a Star Wars store, I didn’t mind in the least – other than the fact I wanted practically everything there! Lightsabers, ships, costumes, even a little interactive BB-8 figure! It was hard to resist buying it all, but the force was with me 😉

Oh, and if you need a little break with your littles (or the big kids, too – my hubby would be all over this as well), they have Star Wars Disney Infinity available to take a turn playing at. Plus, it’s inside where it’s cool, so it could be a great refreshing break from the heat of the day.

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Disneyland for Toddlers

April 24, 2017 by Danielle

Where should you take your toddler on vacation? The happiest place on Earth is definitely high on many people’s lists – every kid LOVES Disneyland and the magic it has to offer! I’ve gathered some tips and tricks for Disneyland for Toddlers so you can have the most magical (and least stressful or tantrum-filled) vacation possible!

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What makes it an even more magical experience are the savings you can get if you book through Get Away Today. They have the lowest prices for discount Disneyland tickets and hotel rates and, if you use promo code BusyMomsHelper you can get an additional $10 off your Southern California vacation package. That’s like two extra Dole Whips or Mickey Ice Cream Bars – woot woot!

Strollers:

To make strolling through the parks a little easier, you’ll want to have a stroller at Disneyland for toddlers. If you don’t want to pack one with you, they are available to rent right outside the main entrance of Disneyland and can be used in both parks. However, you cannot take them in the Downtown Disney District. They cost $15 per day for one stroller or $25 a day for two. Strollers are also great resources for any sleepy children to take a quick nap while you walk through the park, or so dad doesn’t have to carry them on their shoulders even more 🙂

Resting:

Speaking of sleepy children, there are some good resting spots throughout the parks. You can find tons of shaded spots in A Bug’s Land at Disney California Adventure park or most eating areas. If you need a longer rest and a break from the sun, Frozen Live at the Hyperion Theater will surely cool you off. You can also stay in one of the Disney properties or a hotel near the park in case your littles need a nap.

Rides:

There’s a ton of fun to be had at Disneyland for toddlers. The parks are a kid-friendly place and has made sure to incorporate many kid-friendly rides throughout the park. Some of these include Jungle Cruise, “it’s a small world” and Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters. Disney California Adventure also offers several toddler-friendly rides like Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train, Toy Story Mania, The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure and Flik’s Flyers. These are just the tip of the Matterhorn! There are MANY more rides that you and your toddlers will love throughout the Disneyland Resort. You can nab our free printable ride lists with height requirements here (or the ones for WDW here)!

Snacks:

What can turn a sad and tired toddler into a happy one? SNACKS! Disneyland is fully equipped with magical treats throughout the park such as churros, popcorn and refreshing drinks. They are the perfect pick-me-up for any low energy members of your family and bring a smile to anyone’s face. They also make waiting in line more fun and watching a firework show or parade even better. Some of my favorite snacks are the Pineapple Dole Whip, cream cheese pretzel and the beignets (especially the pumpkin ones around Halloween!).

Autographs & Activities:

Don’t forget to keep them happy and occupied during the lines and while waiting for food, and our Unofficial Disneyland Activity & Autograph Book (or a generic Disney one for WDW) is perfect fun for all ages with coloring, connect the dots, jokes, mazes and much more full of Disney-themed play!

Now that you know how to make your child the happiest toddler on earth while at the Happiest Place on Earth, what are you waiting for? Book your Disneyland packages now through Get Away Today and take advantage of their discount Disneyland tickets! Call 855-GET- AWAY or visit getawaytoday.com and use promo code BusyMomsHelper to get an additional $10 off your Southern California vacation package.