Free Time = Fun Time at Disney World

When you have Free Time (non-park time) on a Disney World vacation, what do you do?  Do you hit the pools, Downtown Disney or get some much needed sleep?

Here is my TOP 15 list of Free Time Fun!

1.  Snack Around the Monorail Tour / Electrical Water Pageant
          This is a fun activity that I came up with as a way to get your group prepared for a vacation full of Disney magic.  This is not an official Disney Tour, but a self-guided evening around Disney property.  This is the perfect free time activity for the evening that you arrive in Orlando (if you are not going to the parks that day).  The basic idea is to take the monorail to each of the three Disney Resorts on the monorail line, and have an iconic Disney snack at each one.  After snacking, enjoy the Electrical Water Pageant on the Seven Seas Lagoon from the Polynesian beach.  Finally, finish the tour with a ride on the monorail around Epcot's Spaceship Earth, before heading back to your hotel for the night.  On this tour you get to catch a glimpse of the Magic Kingdom Train Station, Cinderella Castle, Epcot's Spaceship Earth, do some fun resort hopping, eat some delicious snacks, watch the classic Electrical Water Pageant and ride on the iconic monorail!  If you are interested in the details of the "Snack Around the Monorail Tour" just let me know.  I would be happy to share the self-guided tour plan with you!

2.  Resort Pools
          If you are staying on Disney property, you must take some time to check out the legendary resort pools!  After all, it is Florida!  Each Disney Resort has it's own unique and intricately themed pools that are fun for the whole family.  What a great way to beat that Florida heat!

3.  Resort Playgrounds
          Another one of the amenities offered on Disney property is the awesome playgrounds at each resort.  Just because it's free time, doesn't mean your kids don't have energy to spend!

4.  Resort Arcades
          At each Disney Resort, you can also find an arcade full of games.  This is perfect for the tweens and teens who need a little game time.

5.  Resort Hopping
          Disney Resorts have so much to offer!  Each Disney Resort is intricately themed and offers unique experiences and discoveries to be made.  If you are staying on Disney property, simply take the free Disney transportation (monorail, ferries, or buses) and explore!

6.  Ferry Rides
          There are Water Taxies and Ferries that take you to and from many points of interest on Disney property.  Best of all, it's FREE!  Just pick up a brochure of routes at any port.

7.  Camp Fire Sing-Along
          Several of the Disney Resorts offer Camp Fire Sing-Along events (nightly) complete with marshmallows for toasting!  You can also purchase (or bring your own) kits to make s'mores.  Yum!  If you would like a chance to hang out with Chip 'n Dale at a Sing-Along, just head on over to the Camp Fire Sing-Along at Fort Wilderness Resort.  This is the only one that features a character meet & greet.

8.  Movies Under the Stars
          Many of the Disney Resorts offer Movies Under the Stars.  Some are located in courtyards, and others are located poolside.  This is a nightly offering (weather permitting).

9.  Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Mini Golf
          Located near the Swan & Dolphin Resort is the Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Mini Golf. They have two 18-hole mini golf courses to choose from.  There is an additional ticket purchase required for this activity.

10.  Shopping at Downtown Disney
           There are lots of great shops in the Downtown Disney District, including the World's Largest Disney Store!  There are also unique clothing stores, a huge Lego store, toy stores, a Christmas store, a Disney Pin Trading Post, art stores and kitchen stores.  There are also lots of great places to get a bite to eat!

11.   Disney Quest
          Located in Downtown Disney is a multi-level indoor theme park called Disney Quest.  This theme park utilizes virtual reality to take you to new worlds and on exciting adventures.  There is an additional ticket purchase required for Disney Quest.

12.  Splitsville Lanes
          Also in Downtown Disney, you will find a new place to play.  Splitsville Lanes is a luxury bowling lanes experience.  There is an additional ticket purchase required.

13.  AMC Dine-In Movie Theater
          In the center of Downtown Disney is AMC Movie Theater.  You can catch all of the latest releases here in traditional movie-going style, or you can experience dinner and a show for select movies.  There is an additional ticket purchase required.

14.  Characters In Flight
          Characters In Flight is the centerpiece for Downtown Disney.  This icon of the area is a tethered hot air balloon that gives you a 360 degree view of Disney property.  There is an additional ticket purchase required.

15.  Disney Character Warehouse
          Disney Character Warehouse is the only Official Disney Store in Orlando off of Disney property.  At this outlet store you can find last season's park items and some current season items on sale.  There are two locations:  Vineland Avenue and International Drive.


HAVE A MAGICAL DISNEY (FREE) DAY!
~Candice

Mickey, Donald & Goofy - Christmas Sweaters

This Christmas season, I spotted Mickey, Donald and Goofy on Main Street USA in Disneyland.  They were all decked out in their best holiday sweaters.

What do you think about the sweaters?  Would you put them on your "festive" list or your "tacky" list?

HAVE A MAGICAL DISNEY DAY!

Candice

Disneyland - Fire Station

Did you know that on the second floor of the Disneyland Fire Station, Walt Disney had a special apartment built for himself and his family?  From this small apartment overlooking Main Street USA, Walt watched as guests poured into Disneyland when the gates were first opened on July 17, 1955.  

Walt often worked at a small desk next to the window overlooking Main Street.  This fully functioning apartment has a full bath, small kitchen and a private balcony.  If you are in Disneyland you can see a small light in the window, which is lit every night in honor of Walt Disney!


HAVE A MAGICAL DISNEY DAY!
Candice

Disneyland - Jedi Training Academy

The Jedi Training Academy at Disneyland is an exciting, interactive show for young Star Wars fans!

This show takes place on the Tomorrowland Terrace Stage in Tomorrowland.  Young Jedi Academy hopefuls sit up front.  When the Jedi teacher takes the stage, the selection process begins!  Kids are invited to stand up, jump up & down and wave their arms as hard as they can to be picked as a student.

After the selections have been made, the new Jedi's-in-training are dressed in their brown robes and given a light saber.  Then the training begins!

This 20 minute show is a favorite for young and old Star Wars fans alike.  To participate in the show, you must be between the ages of 4 and 12.

Please note, the selection process at Walt Disney World in Orlando is different.  I will be posting about it soon!


HAVE A MAGICAL DISNEY DAY!
Candice

Down the Rabbit Hole (Alice in Wonderland - Disneyland)

Have you ever wanted to step into Alice's shoes and take a journey down the rabbit hole?

Well at Disneyland, you can!

This dark ride located in Fantasyland opened three years after Disneyland first opened it's gates in 1955.  It is situated directly across from the Mad Tea Party which is also based on Disney's Alice in Wonderland.

Climb aboard a colorful caterpillar, and take the infamous leap into the rabbit hole.  This ride, like the other dark rides in Fantasyland, takes you through the story of Alice in Wonderland.  This is a fun and unique ride, as this is not an attraction available in Walt Disney World.

This ride does tend to be one of the longer waits in Disneyland.  However, because it is an outdoor queue with colorful views of the Matterhorn and Mad Tea Party, the time passes quickly.

HAVE A MAGICAL DISNEY DAY!
Candice

Earl of Sandwich - CLUB SANDWICH

Have you eaten at the beloved Earl of Sandwich in Downtown Disney?

You can find Earl of Sandwich at both the Downtown Disney in Orlando, Florida AND the Downtown Disney in Anaheim, California.

Earl of Sandwich has developed quite the cult following, and it's no surprise.  Once you eat there, you totally "get it!"

The hot sandwiches are absolutely delicious, and the triple chocolate brownies are not just a dessert, but an experience!

For more about the yummy food at Earl of Sandwich click here.

Now, let me let you in on a little secret...you can score an Earl of Sandwich brownie and sandwich for FREE!  That's right...FREE!

All you have to do is join their Club Sandwich!
Sign up online here.

When you join Club Sandwich you receive an email with a coupon for a FREE triple chocolate brownie that is good for 1 month (so don't sign up until a month before your Disney trip).  You also receive a birthday email with a coupon for a FREE sandwich during your birthday month.


HAVE A MAGICAL DISNEY DAY!
Candice

Disneyland - The Royal Theatre

Do you love fairy tales?

Do you love Disney Princesses?

Do you love humorous retellings of your favorite Disney stories?

Then you must visit The Royal Theatre in Disneyland!

This outdoor, covered pavilion is located just to the left of the front side of Sleeping Beauty Castle in Fantasy Faire.

Inside you will enjoy a delightful Vaudeville retelling of one of your favorite Disney Princess tales.  Your two Renaissance Vaudevillian hosts Mr. Smythe and Mr. Jones help the Princesses retell their stories while involving the audience by breaking the fourth wall.

It's a really fun and unique way to enjoy your favorite characters!  And it's a great chance for those kids that may be a little shy at meet and greets to see the princes and princesses up close.

You can catch the show throughout the day, and there is often more than one show playing on a particular day.

While you are enjoying your time at Fantasy Faire, make sure you stop by Maurice's Treats snack stand.    They serve yummy twists (strawberry, chocolate & cheddar garlic bagel).  You can also get the Boysen Apple Freeze here.  This signature drink is a slightly altered take on Red's Apple Freeze in Cars Land at Disney's California Adventure and LeFou's Brew in New Fantasyland at Disney World.  The Boysen Apple Freeze is a frozen apple drink with boysenberry and a passion fruit foam.

To read more about Red's Apple Freeze in Cars Land click here.

For more about the food at Disneyland click here. 

Next time you are in Disneyland, take some time to relive your favorite "once upon a time" at Fantasy Faire.  Prepare to be delighted!


HAVE A MAGICAL DISNEY DAY!
Candice

13 Years of Holiday Fright!

One of the most beloved classic Disneyland attractions is The Haunted Mansion!  For the past 13 years, The Haunted Mansion in Disneyland has gotten a major makeover for the Halloween & Christmas seasons.  The theme of this massive overhaul is non-other than Tim Burton's, "The Nightmare Before Christmas!"

What is This???  It's Haunted Mansion Holiday!

2013 was a magical year indeed for this made-over attraction.
The year 2013...
The 13th year of Haunted Mansion Holiday...
This past year's special edition of the ride opened on Friday the 13th (Sept. 2013).

The intricate details can be seen throughout the entire Haunted Mansion, inside and outside!

On the hill behind the mansion is a spooky pumpkin patch filled with jack-o-lanterns on spears.

And non-other than Jack Skellington himself welcomes you through the mansion gates into his very own Christmas wonderland.

Once you enter the mansion, it is quickly apparent that this isn't your same old Haunted Mansion.  Once you enter the great hall with your ghost host, you notice the lovely stained glass windows telling a familiar, yet twisted story.

'Twas the Nightmare before Christmas...

Not a creature was peaceful...

The stockings all hung by the chimney with care.

The children, nestled all snug in their beds.

As the walls crawl upwards, more nightmare images appear, until finally Jack Skellington and his trusty, ghost-dog Zero break through the ceiling to welcome you in.

As you proceed through the halls of the mansion toward your doom-buggy you see Jack's renditions of Halloween-town changing into Jack's visions of Christmas.

As you board your doom-buggy, you are greeted with a magnificent display featuring many of the characters from Halloween-town.

 As you travel through the mansion you encounter Zero, a room full of Halloween-town Christmas presents and even Oogie Boogie!  However, the best part is the grand-ballroom!  As you approach, the smell of fresh gingerbread and frosting fills the air.  It is enchanting!  Then you see it:  the huge, Haunted Mansion Holiday gingerbread house.  This year's gingerbread house was decorated with the many, expressive faces of Jack Skellington (including some spinning elements).  Wow!  Quite impressive!

Finally, you are welcomed into the graveyard by Jack, all decked out as Sandy Claws, and his barking, buddy Zero.  The music in the graveyard is a delightful mix of the classic "Grim, Grinning Ghosts" and "This is Halloween."  The barbershop quartet was even made over to be singing jack-o-lanterns.

This was a fantastic ride with incredible theming.  What fun!

 Check out the awesome Jack Skellington inspired dessert available in Disneyland here.

Have you experienced Haunted Mansion Holiday?


HAVE A MAGICAL DISNEY DAY!
Candice

Downtown Disney (California) - YUM!

We spent one day of our trip in Downtown Disney, and it was great!  We were very laid back, and just enjoyed the Disney atmosphere.  Again, we had a great food experience in Downtown Disney (California).

For lunch we ate at Earl of Sandwich, and I must say, it definitely lived up to the hype!

If you have not been to Earl of Sandwich yet, you MUST go the next time you can.  It was amazing!

I had the Holiday Turkey Sandwich.  This hot sandwich is made with turkey, stuffing, gravy & cranberry sauce.  The best part...it's available year round!  I could eat this sandwich every day of the week.  It is amazing!

My husband had The Original.  This sandwich is made with roast beef, cheddar & horseradish sauce and toasted to perfection.  He even let me try a bite, and it was super yummy!

We shared a package of Mesquite BBQ chips, and they were also very good.

The best part of the meal, though, was dessert!  We had the Triple Chocolate Brownie Cream Sandwich.  We chose buttercream frosting filling.  Also available was chocolate frosting and peanut butter frosting.  It was delicious!  This is definitely a good dessert for sharing.  The brownies at Earl of Sandwich are made with Ghirardelli Chocolate.  YUM!

For a snack we stopped by Wetzel's Pretzels.  I had the Wetzel's Original with Pizza Sauce.  My husband had the Jalaroni Pretzel (jalapenos & pepperonis).  It really hit the spot!

For dinner we enjoyed ESPN Zone.  

The atmosphere is definitely fun and loud.  Downstairs is the dining room and kitchen.  The dining room has tons of TVs with every game imaginable playing.  Upstairs is a huge game room with fun for kids and adults alike.

While we waited for a table, we spent some time upstairs in the game room.  We returned to the game room after our dinner to finish out our play credits.  They had all kinds of games to choose from:  skeeball, driving games, basketball games, bowling, etc.

For dinner I had the Mahi Soft Tacos with fries.  The fries and guacamole were very good, however I didn't love the tacos.  The shells were a corn tortilla instead of a flour tortilla, and I felt that it dried out the taste of the taco and overpowered the flavor of the fish.  

My husband had an appetizer as his meal (it was huge).  He chose the Zone Queso Chips with Grilled Chicken.  He really enjoyed them.

The overall experience at ESPN Zone was fun.  I wouldn't go out of my way for the food, but the huge sports bar atmosphere was certainly a treat.

Click here to see our Disney California Adventure food journey!

Click here to check out our Disneyland food choices!

HAVE A MAGICAL DISNEY DAY!

Candice  

California Adventure - Taste the Adventure

Our day at Disney's California Adventure was full of fun, and full of FOOD!

Our visit to California Adventure began with lunch (we flew into LAX that morning, and headed straight to Disneyland).  We made our way to Pacific Wharf which is an area dedicated to food!  

For lunch I chose Lucky Fortune Cookery.  I had the Asian Rice Bowl.  The cool thing about this meal is that you get to pick your protein (choose from Chicken, Beef or Tofu), and then you choose your sauce (Mandarin Orange, Spicy Korean, Thai Coconut Curry or Teriyaki).  I chose Chicken & Teriyaki.    It was very good, and surprisingly slightly spicy.  It contained a large helping of steamed rice, mixed vegetables and meat.  This was a great meal!

My husband chose Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill.  His meal was the Soft Tacos Monterrey Plate.  He really enjoyed the tacos.  I tasted the beans, rice & guacamole.  The beans were great, the rice was dry, and the guacamole was okay (a little on the bland side).  Overall, I would say this was an okay meal.

Once we made our way around Paradise Pier, it was time to visit the beloved Cars Land!  So exciting! There were several snack options that I was anxious to try in Cars Land. 

The Cozy Cone Motel is made up of five cones each serving up different snack options.  

At Cone 1 we purchased the Churro Bites with Chocolate Sauce.  Churros are often seen around the parks, but what made these special was there tiny bite-size and the side of chocolate sauce that has just a hint of cinnamon mixed in.  The Churro Bites were also served in a cute little cone, of course!  We definitely enjoyed the Churro Bites, I was particularly loving the small 2-bite size!  However, the chocolate sauce just wasn't doing it for me.  I felt like the churro was better on it's own.  The chocolate sauce wasn't bad, it was fine.  It was a little more on the watery side, so I would be concerned about the messy factor with kids.  

We had already eaten several of the Churro Bites when this pic was taken.  Oops!

Also at Cone 1 we purchased the signature drink, Ramone's Pear of Dice Soda.  This drink is a fun, carbonated beverage with a tangy pear flavor.  It's purple hue made it a fun feast for the eyes.  It was definitely enjoyable, however the sharp flavor of this drink made it a good choice of a treat to share.  It's not necessarily a drink to quench your thirst, it's more of a sipping experience.

We checked into Cone 4 to try out the signature drink, Red's Apple Freeze.  This drink is an icy apple juice and pomegranate concoction topped with a toasted marshmallow whip.  This drink hits you hard with a mixture of super sweetness and tartness.  Sadly the two of us weren't even able to drink a third of this drink.  It was just too much!  However, many people have talked about how much they love this drink, so I guess it's just something you have to try for yourself.

This drink can also be found in Walt Disney World's new Fantasyland at Gaston's Tavern under the name LeFou's Brew.

For dinner we ate at the Taste Pilot's Grill next to Soarin' Over California.  After all of our snacking we decided to split a meal.  We had the Chili Cheeseburger with French Fries.  This restaurant also has an awesome condiment bar with sauces and burger toppings galore!  We had some tomatoes, pico de gallo, bbq sauce and ketchup.  The chili that topped this burger wasn't sloppy or watery, so not too bad on the messy side of things, and the pico de gallo was great (very fresh tasting)! 

Going into this park there were lots of things that I wanted to try, however it had to be narrowed down to what we could handle in one day.  Next time around, these are a few of the items I would like to try:

*Taste Pilots' Grill.....loaded fries

*Pacific Wharf Cafe.....soup & sandwich

*Flo's V8 Cafe.....apple & cheddar hand pie

*Cozy Cone Motel (Cone 3).....chicken verde in a bread cone

*Cozy Cone Motel (Cone 5).....doc's wild grape tonic

For my Disneyland food experience, click here!

To check out our Downtown Disney food choices, click here!

HAVE A MAGICAL DISNEY DAY!

Candice