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Where to Cool Off at Magic Kingdom

Where to Cool Off at Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom is the happiest place on Earth regardless of the weather, but we can probably all agree that Orlando summers are particularly rough. A summer day in the park usually involves dense crowds, plenty of standing in the sun, and a lot of sweating. It’s very important that you not only hydrate frequently but also take cool off breaks.

We’ve listed some of our favorite spots to catch some AC and recuperate below:

Shows

Hall of Presidents – This is for when you REALLY need a rest. The chairs are comfy, the air is nice and cool, and the show lasts 25 minutes. Essentially, this is the nap room of Magic Kingdom. By the time we leave Hall of Presidents, we always feel completely refreshed and ready go!

Carousel of Progress – Similar to Hall of Presidents, this show is another 20-minute refresher in an air conditioned theater. You can find Carousel of Progress in Tomorrowland!

Mickey’s Philharmonic – Ok nappers, this one is not for you. I love Mickey’s Philharmonic but it is LOUD! It’s a 12-minute show that takes you through some of your favorite classics, such as “Be Our Guest” and “A Whole New World.” The wait might be a little longer than some of the other options, but it’s indoors and air conditioned, as well.

Rides

Pirates of the Caribbean – Pirates is such a crowd favorite (despite removal of the wench scene). The line is mostly covered but still hot, so you have to wait until you’re close to the water to really cool off.

Space Mountain – It’s dark, completely inside, and very cool! Not to mention it’s one of the most fun rides in the Kingdom.

Haunted Mansion – I hesitate to put this on the list because almost the entire line is outside and really dang hot. But the ride itself is indoors and so worth the wait!

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin – This is one of my all-time favorites! It’s refreshing, interactive and a competition. The goal of this ride is to hit the targets as many times as you can with your laser gun, trying to out-score your partner.  (I always win.)

Under the Sea – Hop in a clam and speed through the story of the Little Mermaid. This ride is relaxing and nostalgic!

 

Don't forget, Main Street has shops galore. These are great for taking quick breaks from the heat. Another great option is to schedule dining reservations for the hottest time of the day. You can relax inside over a late lunch!

Where's your favorite spot to cool off in MK during the summer? Comment below and let us know!

Which Resort is the Perfect Fit for Your Next Trip?

Grand Floridian Resort

If you’re planning a trip to Disney World and you don’t live near the parks, chances are you’re going to be booking a hotel for your stay. There are 30 official Disney resorts to choose from and many more “Disney World Good Neighbor Hotels.” I’ve taken both routes for my trips. In fact, I had never stayed at a true Disney Resort until last year! While the good neighbor hotels can be right depending on the situation, I would definitely encourage you to stay at a Disney Hotel. The many benefits and endless magic of these hotels make it worth the higher price tag.

What benefits, you ask? Convenience. I can’t stress this enough. If you plan on going to multiple parks, Disney Springs, or want to explore the other resorts, staying at a Disney Resort is so worth it! There's free transportation to and from everything on the Disney property. Talk about staying stress-free on your vacation. These resorts also accept the Disney Dining Plan, serve your favorite park foods (Mickey Waffles anyone?), and sell official park merchandise.

To top it off, each resort has a specific theme! Whether you’re wanting a beach trip or feel like staying in N'awlins (New Orleans), you can find exactly what you’re looking for.

If you’re looking for the ultimate convenience:

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Staying on the boardwalk is a must if you love Epcot! You can walk right from your hotel directly into the park in a few minutes. Check out Disney’s Beach Club Resort to get the best of both worlds – the beach and the parks! Another great option for all you SPG members are the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels. We just stayed in the Dolphin (hello SPG points) and loved it! I can’t tell you enough how great it is to walk up to Epcot and sneak right in beside our favorite French restaurant. If you’re wanting to stay as close as you can to Magic Kingdom, book your stay at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

If you’re looking for the top of the line:

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Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. This place is serious hotel goals. Modeled after the famous Hotel Del Coronado, this lavish resort will have you never wanting to leave. Ever. Looking for more of an island vibe? Check out Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows. This place is luxurious and relaxing. Directly across from Magic Kingdom, you can watch the fireworks every night from either of these resorts.

If you’re looking for the “nature” feel:

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Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge lets you stay literally in Animal Kingdom. These rooms overlook 4 savannas filled with animals from the wild. Where else can a giraffe walk feet away from your hotel balcony? This one is for sure on my bucket list. Now for those of you into the camping scene, the Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort may be the perfect fit! Your family will stay in its own personal cabin surrounded by nature. It’s a great option if you’re looking to escape to peace and quiet after those long exhausting days in the parks.

If you’re looking to experience the magic for less:

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Disney’s All-Star Resorts give you all of those official perks without that sometimes heart-stopping price. You should also check out Disney’s Pop Century Resort and the Art of Animation Resort. There are a lot of options if you’re looking to have a lower budget for the lodging. They may not be across the pond from Magic Kingdom but you’ll still have free bus transportation. If your mentality is that you’ll be spending all of your time in the parks each day, then this may be the perfect fit for your trip!

Of course there are many more options to choose from when you’re deciding where to stay. You can go to Disney’s website for pricing and rates on vacation packages!

Have a favorite Disney resort? Let us know what makes it your top pick!

*All pictures taken from https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/

Everything You Need to Know About Pandora: World of Avatar

Pandora Avatar

Opening day is almost here! As of May 27th, you will officially be able to visit the new addition to Animal Kingdom. Whether you're visiting opening weekend or waiting for the crowds to die down (they won't!), we have some highlights and tips to help you plan your first experience in Pandora.

Try to grab a FastPass+ to avoid the lines of the two new rides. Here's what Disney's website has to say about Avatar Flight of Passage and Navi River Journey:

Navi River Journey: “As your expedition begins, climb aboard a reed boat and drift downstream. After coasting through a series of caves, and passing by exotic glowing plants and amazing creatures of the rainforest, you’ll soon find yourself face-to-face with the Na’vi Shaman of Songs.”

Avatar Flight of Passage: “Get a banshee’s-eye view of the beauty and grandeur of Pandora on a rite of passage you won’t soon forget! Deep in the heart of the Valley of Mo’ara, discover Avatar Flight of Passage—an all-new expedition that lets interstellar explorers like you climb atop a mountain banshee for a breathtaking, first-person flight over the moon’s incredible landscape. Bonding with a mountain banshee is a crucial step in the life of a Na’vi hunter—and flying on the back of one of these powerful winged creatures represents an important rite of passage.”

Need a snack break? There are two new spots to grab some refreshments between the rides:

Satu'li Canteen: “Discover healthful dishes and familiar flavors from another world—wholesome grains, fresh vegetables and hearty proteins."

Pongu Pongu: "Meaning “Party Party” in the language of the Na’vi, Pongu Pongu welcomes weary travelers to try our bioluminescent frozen cocktail, indigenous beers—or even a sweet snack you won’t find elsewhere!”

There will be many unique experiences you can only find at Pandora. One that I'm particularly excited for is the Banshee Connect Experience! Inside Windtraders, there will be an area of banshees perched along the wall. These banshees will be interactive and connect with the guests. You'll be able to purchase your very own to keep as a souvenir!

If you're a night owl and want to avoid some of the crowds, take advantage of the extra magic hours available from 11pm - 1am starting May 27th through July 4th.

Can't make it to Disney World this weekend? Disney Parks Blog will be live streaming the official opening at 9:25am Eastern!

We're SO excited to visit Pandora and can't wait to share our experience with you. Be sure to follow us on Instagram @wishesandcoapparel and subscribe to stay up-to-date!

6 Disney Treats You Need to Get on Your Next Trip!

Nutella and Fruit Waffle Giant waffle. Covered in Nutella. Topped with fresh fruit.

If you’ve been to the parks before, chances are you’ve had some of these treats. Many people consider them to be staples to their trips! Take a look.

 

  1. Dole Whip

I think this goes without being said, but I’ll say it anyway - you have to get a Dole Whip on your next trip! It is one of the most popular treats in Disney World. You can grab one at Captain Cook’s in the Polynesian Resort and at Aloha Isle in Adventureland. If you’re in California, head over to Tiki Juice Bar for your Dole Whip or Dole Whip Float. Enjoy the refreshing fruity treat after an afternoon in the sun, but expect a bit of a line!

  1. Mickey Shaped Ice Cream Bar

There’s just something about eating Mickey Mouse shaped food on your Disney trip. For some reason it makes your ice cream taste even better. This vanilla ice cream treat is covered in chocolate and can be found throughout the parks at the dessert stands. Pro tip: Take a picture of your Mickey ice cream bar in front of the castle.

  1. Mickey Rice Krispy Treats

Ok so pretty much EVERYTHING on Main Street is delicious, but we especially love the various Rice Krispy Treats! They’re Mickey shaped (obviously) and covered in different toppings. This is a great treat to get when you’re leaving the park to take back with you to the hotel.

  1. Nutella and Fruit Waffle

Giant waffle. Covered in Nutella. Topped with fresh fruit. Need we say more? You can find this at Sleepy Hollow!

  1. Mickey Pretzel

Yes, another snack that is shaped like Mickey – but how often do you get to eat food shaped like your favorite Disney icon? If you’ve had some sweets and need a break, go for a savory pretzel with cheese.

  1. Churros

We saved the best for last! Arguably the most iconic Disney World/Disneyland treat, this crunchy sugar-coated dessert will satisfy every sweet tooth. If you’ve never had a churro from a Disney park, then you haven’t lived.  Happy snacking!

 
*Picture from disneyparks.disney.go.com

9 Tips for Visiting the Magic Kingdom

Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom in Disney World

1.     Get there early

Watching the rope drop or the opening ceremony take place right outside the railroad station is the perfect way to kick off a day at Magic Kingdom! You may not usually be a morning person on vacation, but it's definitely worth waking up an hour early. Another benefit of arriving early? The crowds (or lack there of)! The crowds do not begin to show up until late morning so an early arrival can help you get on your favorite rides and into the shops while the lines are still somewhat short.

2.     Catch the early entertainment

A lot of the best entertainment on Main Street takes place earlier in the day. If catching the Casey's Corner piano player or a performance by the Dapper Dans interests you then be prepared in the early morning. The exact times can be found in Time Guides. You can pick these up along with a map on your way into the park.

3.     Make Fastpass+ choices before you arrive

Making Fastpass+ selections before you arrive is a must, and is especially important if you are planning on riding popular attractions. For example, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is one attraction in particular that you can almost guarantee will not have Fastpass+ availability if you're checking your My Disney Experience App on the day of. Making these selections in advance is a must! Plus, you want to be enjoying the park, not on your phone all day!

4.     Make dining reservations in advance

Similar to Fastpass+, making dining reservations well in advance is highly encouraged! Some of the more popular restaurants at Magic Kingdom book up almost immediately after reservations become available. There are definitely great food stations throughout the park if you want to keep a flexible schedule. However, if you're considering Be Our Guest, Cinderella's Royal Table or Crystal Palace, you'll need to book as early as possible. If table service isn't your style, you can also research the quick service options before hand to help save some time on your trip!

5.     Meet & greets with your favorite characters

The meet and greets with characters are a must. Why? Because it is an amazing experience! How often do you get to hang out with Punzi and Princess Aurora?! You can use your Time Guides and map to find when and where your favorite character will be stationed. Like always, plan ahead and go meet some characters!

6.     Find all the best photo ops

This can be so much fun and add a little bit of unexpected adventure to your day. Everyone has pictures in front of Cinderella's Castle. Magic Kingdom is a huge beautiful space. Find places somewhat less traveled and you'd be surprised by a unique backdrop waiting to be captured. These also make for the best memories when looking back on your trip.

7.     Relax at the nearby resorts

If you are traveling with young children, you may have to take a midday break. Most people use this as an opportunity to go back to their hotel room and relax, however, depending on where you are staying that can be a complicated hike. Many of the resorts close to Magic Kingdom are a very short monorail ride away and offer some great amenities! Swing by the Grand Floridian - it is an absolutely break taking resort. You can hangout in a nice restaurant and grab a snack, look in some shops, or hang out in the vast lobby. This could be a great opportunity to relax and recharge the batteries.

8.     Get to parades early to grab a spot

If catching the parades are a priority for you, then you'll want to start camping out a little early. A lot of guests start picking spots up to an hour before the start of a parade. I'd advise to grab a spot, send someone to go pick up some snacks (A Mickey Pretzel is always a great choice) and have some lunch while you wait for the parade to begin.

9.     Must stay for the fireworks

This is an absolute must for any guest attending the Magic Kingdom. "Wishes" is a spectacular nighttime show that lights up the sky over Cinderella's Castle. Find a spot in front the castle or down Main Street for the best views and then sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!

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