Tis’ the season for pumpkin spice and everything nice! I love everything about Fall from the crisp air to the warm apple cider. Just like how Lorelei Gilmore can smell snow, I can smell Fall from a mile away… it’s a gift! My family and I have gathered a list of all our favorite fall things to share with you! Enjoy! 🍁
1. Go Apple Picking
2. Carve a Pumpkin
3. Take a Hayride
4. Drink Apple Cider
5. Drink Pumpkin Spice Coffee
6. Make Apple Crisp
7. Make Apple Pie
8. Make Apple Turnovers
9. Buy a Pumpkin Candle
10. Rake Leaves & Jump in the piles
11. Wear your favorite fall sweater
12. Eat Apple Cider Donuts
13. Make Pumpkin Muffins
14. Make Pumpkin Pie
15. Decorate your home in fall decor
16. Go to a Pumpkin Patch
17. Watch Hocus Pocus
18. Go through a Corn Maze
19. Dress up for Halloween
20. Eat lots of Halloween Candy
21. Check out local fall festivals
22. Go to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Disney’s Magic Kingdom
23. Make Carmel Apples
24. Enjoy the Crisp Air
25. Wear your Favorite Scarf
26. Take a Scenic Drive
27. Take a Fall Photo
28. Tell Ghost Stories
29. Go to a Haunted House or go on a Haunted Hayride
30. Eat Halloween Oreos (my favorite)
31. Eat Candy Corn
Hope you enjoyed our Fall Bucket List! Comment below with your favorite things about Fall!
Happy Fall Y’all
Disclaimer: This article is based on my opinions and is not affiliated or being endorsed by Walt Disney World or any other Disney company.
Since Summer is here! (Yay!!) We love the Walt Disney World Water Parks and try to go to the water parks at least once a month. The Disney water theme parks are our favorite because they have plenty of water attractions for everyone in our family, and if you’re a land lover like me, no worries there are plenty of chairs and loungers to soak up that Florida sun! Plus, the Disney water parks are by far the cleanest water parks I have ever been to which, is always an added bonus. So let’s dive right on in and check out whats in my Disney water parks bag…
Sunscreen– Living in the Sunshine State I never leave home without sunscreen. You can never pack too much when traveling to Florida in my opinion. It’s better to be safe, than sorry!
Disney Parks face masks purchased at Disney Springs
Face Masks– I like to carry extra ones for each of us when we travel. Especially since Florida is so hot and humid it is so nice to change your mask mid day. My favorite ones are the Disney Park masks these can be purchased at any store on park grounds, at any Disney hotel on property, at Disney Springs, or online at shop Disney.
Hand Sanitizer– Disney has done a wonderful job of keeping the hand sanitizer stations accessable around the parks. It feels like everywhere you turn there is a hand sanitizer station. However, I like to pack my own travel size bottle.
Reusuable water bottle– I can not stress enough how important it is to stay hydrated especially during the summer months. You can refill your water bottle with ice and water for FREE, at any soda fountain refill station around the waterpark.
Towels– I prefer to bring my own towels from home. However, if you are staying on property you can always bring towels from the resort. Towels are also available to rent at both Disney water parks for a small fee.
Flushable wipes– I will forewarn you that the water parks use very cheap toilet paper… and what two things don’t mix well cheap toilet paper and wet bodies. So take it from me if you have kids and you don’t want to deal with toilet paper sticking to their behinds all day bring the flushable wipes.
Waterproof phone case from ShopDisney.com
Waterproof phone case– Best purchase I have ever made! Need I say more…. I mean really, this wonderful plastic case keeps my phone safe and I get to capture the magic of our water park adventures and share them with you. I picked up this beauty on shopDisney.com a few years back.
Portable phone charger– Since I spend all day taking photos, my phone won’t hold a charge for very long. So that’s when this beauty comes in handy and saves the day, so I highly recommend picking one up. If you forget to grab one before hitting the parks no worries, Disney has you covered, because they also sell them in the parks!
Wet/dry bag– Since it is a water park I suggest putting anything you don’t want getting wet into one of these wet/dry bags. I picked up one in the Target Dollar Spot a few summers back and it has come in handy ever since.
Shampoo/conditioner/soap– One of my favorite things about the Disney water parks is that they offer changing rooms and showers. They do have an all in one soap/shampoo in the showers however, it is very generic so I do recommend bringing your own supplies from home. I love that they offer changing rooms and showers because we have a two hour drive home and this means after a long hot and sandy day at the water parks we get to rinse off and change into clean fresh clothes before heading home. To take this one step further, bring a brush, and a blow dryer…. you’re welcome!
Mickey Ice Cream Bars (a wonderful park sweet treat to help you cool off from that summer heat!)
Snacks– You can never pack too many snacks in my opinion! The more the better…and if you run out, no worries! Disney has you covered, because guess what they have the best snacks.. HELLO, have you tried their Mickey Ice Cream Bars they are AMAZING!!
Water shoes– Normally I am not one to promote water shoes because I think they are not the cutest shoes in the world. However, the sand on the beaches at the waterparks are so incredibly hot especially when that sun has been beating down on them all day and same goes for the pavement. I will say that Disney does a pretty good job of attempting to keep the pavement cool and has installed sprinklers throughout the water park especially on long stretched of pavement so it does not get to hot for your feet. But it doesn’t hit every square inch of the park. So buy the ugly shoes, your feet will thank you!
My Disney Water Park Bag purchased at Disney Springs
So there you have it folks, I can’t wait to hear what magical things you pack in your Disney Water Parks Bag! For those who are asking my park bag came from Walt Disney World. I love it! It also makes a great carry on bag for plane trips! If you are looking for other Disney packing tips be sure to check out, What’s in my Disney Park Bag. Also, comment below with your favorite water park packing tips!
Happy Travelin’
Disclaimer: This article is based on my opinions and is not affiliated or being endorsed by Walt Disney World or any other Disney company.
In our house we love all things Disney! But most of all we love visiting Walt Disney World. My family and I like to visit multiple times a year. Since my husband is in residency and we are on a tight budget, Disney vacations for a family of five can get costly quick, so I have to get creative. Here are a few budget friendly ideas that are sure to bring that Disney magic to your vacation just without the additional theme park ticket cost!
Spend the day relaxing by the pool– The number one complaint I always seem to have about our vacations is I always wish we had more down time. So make sure to plan a day to do just that. Pool days are my favorite days to sit back and relax! Be sure to pack a bag filled with drinks & snacks. Don’t forget the sunscreen and some pool toys for the kiddos! The one benefit for staying on Disney property is they have the best pools (in my opinion). They also have life guards and cast members who have all kinds of fun events and pool activities. My kiddos have made Mickey Tie-dye t-shirts, played bingo, and have played Disney trivia. The amazing pool bars are also a huge benefit, too!
Spend the day at Disney Springs– I love to shop and ever since Downtown Disney has become Disney Springs it has nearly doubled in size and doubled in fun! We have gone at least a dozen times and still have not seen or done everything they have to offer. Disney Springs has a little of everything for everyone in your family. They have several toy stores for your kiddos to choose from. They also have amazing boutiques for the fashionista in your family. For the little ones in your family they have a carousel and a small train they can ride for a small fee. For the adventure seekers in your family, be sure to check out Characters in Flight. If you love bowling and billiards be sure to check out Splitsville, which is a luxury bowling alley. Maybe you are in the mood to kick back, see a flick and grab a bite to eat? If so, then head on over to the AMC theater in Disney Springs. For the car lovers in your family you can ride in a vintage amphicar at the Boathouse. These guided tours are the thrill of a lifetime as they drive on land and into the water. As you can see, there is a little something for everyone!
Go miniature golfing– Disney has two miniature golf experiences just outside the parks. Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf is located in the Epcot Resort area just outside the Walt Disney World Swan hotel. This course is great for families and beginner golfers. I love the Fantasia theme, it makes you feel like you stepped into the movie! The Winter Summerland miniature golf is the second course. My family loves this one because you can choose either the winter side or the summer side. Both take you on a crazy adventure that lead you to Santa’s workshop in the end. My kiddos love the magical surprises you come across as you make your way through the course.
Check out the Disney Resorts arcade– All Disney Resorts have arcades. Now I know what you are thinking, I must be crazy listing this as a suggestion. But on our most recent trip to Disney the weather was not the best and this was a great way to entertain the kiddos for a few hours. They even have a few massaging chairs for the adults to relax in while the kiddos are off playing games. We also found that not all the games cost money, which is always a plus when you’re on a budget! We found a few that were free of charge and those ended up being my kids favorite games. Disney uses an arcade card system which is usually located at the entrance of the arcade. You can load cash or card onto an arcade card which is then used to swipe at all the arcade machines. These arcade cards can be reused so be sure to hold onto them for future use. Some of our favorite games were pinball and the air hockey table!
Ride the Monorail– My kids love to spend a few hours every Disney vacation riding the monorail. We have to do it every trip we take. My kids love to stop at all of the monorail resorts and go into all of the shops. Plus, the views of the Magic Kingdom and the Disney Resorts are spectacular. It is such a magical and unique element that only Disney offers. Another fun up and coming ride is the new Disney Skyliner! We still have yet to ride it, but if you have then it let us know if you enjoyed it in the comments below!
Chip ‘N’ Dale’s Campfire Sing Along at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground
Explore other Disney Resorts– If you are looking for a fun way to add a touch of Disney to your vacation be sure to explore the Disney Resorts. You can grab a bite to eat, shop in the resort boutique, rent bikes, or even take a stroll to take in the unique Disney decor. Some of my favorite resorts to explore are Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort. I love Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort because it’s one of the only places to get a Dole Whip outside the parks! Right now, if you head on over to the Barefoot Pool bar you can even check out the Lime Dole Whip Margarita which features Disney’s Special Heart of Te Fiti Lime Dole Whip with margarita mix. I can’t wait to try it myself on our next trip! I love Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground because they offer an archery experience (which makes me feel like Merida, from the Disney movie Brave!). They also offer Horse-drawn carriage rides, pony rides and wagon rides. Be sure to check out the Chip ‘N’ Dale Campfire Sing-A-long, for some good ole’ fashion fun roasting marshmallows over the campfire. I also love Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge because it feels like you just stepped into the heart of Africa with the exotic animals to view on the savannah and the spectacular African decor. Don’t forget to grab a Zebra dome and some Jungle Juice in the quick service on property called the Mara. While you’re exploring the resorts be sure to check out the amazing restaurants on property.
Go For a Round of Golf– Tee off and hit the greens! Disney has four gorgeous golf courses on property:
Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course
Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course
Disney’s Palm Golf Course
Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course
Disney offers discounts for Florida Residents, Annual Passholders, Cast members, DVC as well as Resort Guests. They also offer FootGolf, which is a 9 hole course that is like traditional golf but instead of a golfball you use a soccer ball.
Run in a Fun Run at select Disney Resorts– As you all know there is nothing I love more than running and Disney. Well I am here to tell you that select Walt Disney World Resorts host Fun Runs pretty much all time! (how cool is that, right?!?) Here is the list of resorts that participate:
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
Disney’s Old Key West Resort
Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort
Disney’s Boardwalk Resort
Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside & French Quarter Resort
Disney’s All Star Movies Resort
Be sure to check with your resort for times and weekly schedules as well as Fun Run fees!
Rent a Boat or Sea Raycer- Set sails on Seven Seas Lagoon! I will be honest this is a bucket item for us. Every trip we talk about renting Sea Raycers and we never have enough time but that is not going to stop me from telling you all about this nifty little activity! The Sea Raycers seat up to two people and cost $32 plus tax for 30 mins. Drivers must be at least 12 years old and at least 5 feet tall. There are two kinds of boat rentals you can rent in Disney. One is the Boston Whaler Montauk. This love boat seats up to six people and costs $45 plus tax for 30 mins. Drivers must be 18 years of age. Lastly, you can rent a Sun Tracker Pontoon boat which seats up to 10 people for $45 plus tax for 30 mins. Drivers must be 18 years of age. Disney also offers Specialty Cruises but those are very pricey and I could never afford them on a residents budget.
Jellyrolls dueling piano bar located at Disney’s Boardwalk
Check out Disney’s Boardwalk– Our favorite time to head to the Boardwalk is just after dinner once the sunsets, this is when the fun is just about to begin on the Boardwalk. You never know what kind of entertainment you will find from magicians to jugglers. You can even have a caricature artist draw a picture of you to capture the magic! My daughter loves to get her hair wrapped and beaded by the hair wrappers. They also have some carnival games, for a fee of course! One of my favorite things to do on the Boardwalk is grab a slice of pizza from the Boardwalk Pizza Window the head on over to the Boardwalk Joe’s Marvelous Margaritas stand and grab myself a frozen strawberry margarita! (They are sooo good!) Then my husband and I like to get a sitter and head on over to Jellyrolls which is a dueling piano bar (Don’t be fooled by the name, trust me this place is rowdy and a ton of fun!) They do have a cover charge of $15 and doors open at 7:00pm. If you love to dance head on next door to the Atlantic Dance Hall where you can dance the night away… well actually only on Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9:00pm-2:00am. The Boardwalk also has restaurants and shops so while you are there, be sure to check them out!
I hope you enjoyed my tips and I can’t wait to hear what your favorite non-Disney park day things your family enjoys to do! Be sure to check out my article, What’s in my Disney Park Bag for Disney packing tips! I hope you have a magical trip!
Happy Travelin’
Disclaimer: This article is based on my opinions and is not affiliated or being endorsed by Walt Disney World or any other Disney company. If you are looking to rent a boat please contact Walt Disney World, as I can not rent boats on your behalf.
Just like Olaf, I’m at my happiest in the summer! It must be that summer sun!☀️Lucky for us we moved to the Sunshine State and are blessed with 265 days of summer a year, haha just kidding (it’s actually probably more than that! 😉) Looking for ideas when little voices are whining they’re bored? My kiddos and I have put together a list of our favorite things to do in the summer. Enjoy!
1. Go to the Beach
2. Enjoy a day at the pool
3. Eat ice cream for dinner… this is my favorite summer activity!
4. Meet up with friends at the playground
5. Go for a family bike ride
6. Go mini golfing
7. Go see a movie -we love to check out the $1 movie’s that play at our local theater on select days
8. Have a water balloon fight
9. Roast marshmallows & make s’mores
10. Go camping -since our kiddos are “glampers” we like to camp in our living room
11. Check out your local Children’s Museum or Science Museum
12. Have an PJ day and watch old movies
13. Have a picnic
14. Go for a hike
15. Go to a water park -our favorite water parks are Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park near Orlando, FL check out our review of Disney’s H2O Glow Nights a special ticket event on select nights this summer.
16. Make slime
17. Go roller skating
18. Read a book-check out your local library and bookstores for summer reading programs.
19. Make play dough
20. Have a dance party
21. Have a family game night- our family favorites are Bingo & the game of Life
I hope you enjoyed our list and I can’t wait to hear what your favorite things to do in the summer are! Be sure to comment below! Just remember sunshine is the best medicine! Happy summer! ☀️
Now that summertime is almost upon us, it is the perfect time to check out Disney’s H2O Glow Nights at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park. Our family loves Disney’s water parks, especially Typhoon Lagoon. We love the waterslides, the lazy river Castaway Creek and the Surf Pool so you can only imagine how excited we were when we found out that Disney Parks Blog had chosen us to check out Disney’s H2O Glow Nights before opening night.
This special ticket event is held on select Thursday and Saturday evenings beginning May 30 through August 24, 2019. Ticket prices start at $54 for children ages 3-9 and $59 for adults ages 10 and up. Once the regular park hours close at 5pm, the park transforms and the toys take over. It is as if you stepped into the bath tub with Partysaurus Rex in the Toy Story short. The entire park glows with florescent lights, the DJ is playing party music all night long and you can even meet Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Jesse, and a blow up Forky!
Since this is a special event, Disney has created unique food and beverages. We did not have time to check out any of the food offerings however they smelled delicious. We did have time to check out some sweet treats and they did not disappoint. In fact, they were quite amazing! I highly recommend the Pineapple Dole Whip with the Raspberry Slushie. It was the best thing I have eaten in Disney in awhile. It was so refreshing and the flavors work so well together. The cast members were calling it their secret menu item since it was not listed on the menu yet and explained that it was designed to look like the Pixar ball.
During the party we were able to ride Miss Adventure Falls, Keelhaul Falls, and Mayday Falls, all with little to no wait at all. Even the Surf Pool, which is usually filled with people, was pretty empty. So if you are looking to check out Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and are not a fan of crowds then this is perfect for you! We were a little nervous that our son with autism wasn’t going to have a good time because of the lights and how loud the music was but he had a blast! He loved how empty the park was and was dancing on the beach! I would even recommend this to any parents with special needs kiddos however plan to bring some noise canceling headphones just in case!
As we were exiting the park, we peeked into Singapore Sal’s and checked out all the special event merchandise. Disney has created a H2O Glow Nights T-shirt unique for the event as well as a Tervis tumbler. We also checked out the Toy Story merchandise. I was a little sad to see no Forky merchandise on property though. Also, the three pack of Toy Story cars is just a repackaging of the cars they used to sell separately in the past and my car-loving kiddo was quite disappointed to see that.
So this summer, when the sun goes down at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, the fun gets turned up! Grab those flip flops, get out those glow sticks and meet Partysaurus Rex on the beach because he sure knows how to throw an H2O Glow Party! What are you waiting for? Head on over to the Walt Disney World website and get your special event tickets before the summer is over! A special thank you to Disney Parks Blog for the invite! We can’t wait to party with the Toy Story gang on the beach again!
Happy Travelin’
Disclaimer: My family and I were hosted by Disney Parks Blog for this event. All magical opinions are my very own.
travelingfabfive.com 