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Walt Disney World Wednesdays

Travelin' Elisa's gang LOVES Walt Disney World. Join Elisa and Kelsey each Wednesday for travel tips and valuable information about The Most Magical Place on Earth!

Calling All Disney World Lovers!

11 Memorable Mother-Daughter Bonding Experiences at Disney World

8/12/2020

1 Comment

 

From Afternoon Tea to Mani-Pedi's to Balloon Rides!

As someone who has taken numerous mother daughter Walt Disney world trips throughout the past decade, I can attest to the countless memories we have created in a way only a mom and her female children can! Whether a specially planned mother-daughter trip or simply some designated girl time away on a family trip, Disney World parks and resort properties are home to some very unexpected and unique experiences for moms and daughters to create  memories to last a lifetime.

Here are 11 ways to celebrate and share this very special parent-child relationship together in the happiest place on earth:

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(c) travelincousins.com
1. Afternoon Tea at Garden View Tea Room - Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Elegant, delectable and  downright delightful, the timeless British tradition of Afternoon Tea is there for partaking. One of mine and my girls’ favorite ways to bond has become a favorite pastime for me and my two daughters, afternoon tea at Disney Grand Floridian has become a staple on our frequent Disney World trips. 

Thank goodness for us and all the moms and daughters headed for Disney world, there is a super delightful tea service, served up Disney style at The Grand Floridian. Moms and daughters can indulge in three tiers of assorted finger sandwiches and baked goods with a steaming pot of the tea of their choosing. The elegant surroundings and ambience of the Garden View Tea Room add to this refined English experience. 

If you have a young "princess" then be sure to share the Garden View's Disney's Perfectly Princess Tea. This royal experience is filled with 
with music, dancing, storytelling and more as "Rose Petal," a magical rose from Aurora's garden, has come alive to host the party, leading a special princess parade, storytelling and sing-alongs. And best of all, Princess Aurora makes an appearance, so make sure your little one is dressed as their favorite Disney Princess, which is highly encouraged for the event!
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(wikimediacommons.org/Dereck Camacho)
2. Sunrise Yoga - Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

Just because you are on vacation in a place where the fun never stops does not mean you cannot indulge in a bit of mindful practice to start your day. At Disney Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, an early morning Sunrise Yoga class is offered on Monday and Wednesdays at 7:00AM. This revitalizing gentle class is on our list to do for our next Disney trip as a way of refocusing our minds and revitalizing our bodies before heading off to start our day. All ages are welcome as well as all fitness levels, so this could be a great way to introduce yoga to your young daughter(s). Mats and towels are provided on-site, which means there is nothing you need to bring except the two of you and an open mind and heart!

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(photo credit: beautydesign.com)

3. Pampering Day - Disney's Saratoga Springs & Spa /Grand Floridian Resort & Spa/Other Disney Resorts


If you ask me, the ultimate in mom-daughter bonding is getting pampered together! Depending on your little lady's age, the two of you can treat yourselves like princesses and enjoy one of many spa services offered at a few of the Disney World properties. From massages to facials and other body therapies, a girls' day can prove relaxing and regenerating. Disney's Saratoga Springs has a very special "Sweet Treats Manicure and Pedicure" for princesses in training!  Other Disney Character Couture Packages are available at select salon locations within Walt Disney World Resort as well. 


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(c) travelincousins.com
​4. An Exhilarating Safari Adventure - Animal Kingdom

If you and your little lady are adventure buffs, you will surely love the idea of going on a 3-hour Wild Africa Trek in none other than Disney's Animal Kingdom. This privately priced tour takes guests for a ride in a rugged safari vehicle over Disney's open savanna with a chance to discover a variety of African animals such as giraffes, rhinos, hippos and crocodiles. You and your girl will get to journey along a grassland path and over a rope bridge all while learning about the park's dedication to animal conservation. You will also receive a complimentary souvenir with which to remember your safari together!

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5. Splitsville Luxury Lanes - Disney Springs
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A super fun way to hang out for some mom-daughter bonding is with an evening of bowling at Splitsville Luxury Lanes in Disney Springs. Me and my two girls went for the very first time on our last Disney trip. You will love this huge bowling alley which has 2 floors, 30 lanes and 5 bars. When you are done, why not try your hand at a game of pool. And you can indulge in some appetizing snacks to energize your game or head out to the indoor/outdoor patio for some fresh sushi.


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wikimediacommons.org
6. Go on a Canoe Ride - Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground

How about a bit of the great outdoors right in the middle of Disney World!! That's right, you can get out on the peaceful waters of the Fort Wilderness Resort for a bit of canoeing. I wasn't even aware of this activity till very recently and my little female trio has decided that this is a must-try during our next trip. Rentals are available on a first-come, first-served basis to guest 11 and up at The Bike Barn at Meadow Recreation Area from 9am to 5pm daily. The cost is very reasonable at $13.00 per hour with a maximum capacity of 3 people per canoe. 


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(travelincousins.com)
7. Goofy's Candy Company - Disney Springs Marketplace

In the heart of Disney Springs Marketplace is one of the most fun candy stores around! Treat yourselves to a candy bonanza at Goofy's Candy Company by getting lost in this candy wonderland. Take your time selecting from a huge variety of sweets and if you are inclined to do so, ​get creative and build a sweet masterpiece! The “Create Your Own Treat” cards available at the store counter, which allows allows you to select your treat, select a dipping flavor, select one topping and then last of all, select a drizzle!

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Wearing new Minnie Ears at World of Disney in Disney Springs (c) travelincousins.com
8. Shop for Hours at World of Disney - Disney Springs
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What is any vacation without a little shopping for the girls to enjoy! You can literally get lost for hours inside World of Disney with the world’s largest collection of Disney merchandise. Browse through the latest fashions in Disney apparel, accessories, Mickey Ears and home décor to toys, pins, plush, souvenirs and so much more. This is always on our itinerary and we never leave empty handed!

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Expedition Everest in Animal Kingdom (c) travelincousins.com
9. Create a Roller Coaster Ride Check List (Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom)

Set out to ride all the roller coasters in Disney World and then check them off one by one - but not before getting a cool selfie in front of each one together!  Here is a list to get your started on your mom and daughter roller coaster riding adventure!

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad - Magic Kingdom
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train - Magic Kingdom
Space Mountain - Magic Kingdom
Splash Mountain - Magic Kingdom
The Barnstormer - Magic Kingdom
Rockin' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith - Hollywood Studios
​Slinky Dog Dash - HollyWood Studios
Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain - Animal Kingdom

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(c) travelincousins.com
10. Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride - Disney Springs

​My gang of three are huge fans of hot air balloons and right in the heart of Disney Springs West End, Aerophile is available for a high flight up in the air. Build memories from ascending 400 feet into the sky where you will take in an awesome 360-degree view during a tethered 8-minute balloon ride experience. You and your girl(s) can see for up to 10 miles during your ride! This balloon ride comes direct from France and was custom-built for Disney by Paris-based company Aérophile S.A.. The 19-foot diameter basket of the Aéro30 holds up to 29 people, plus one Aérophile-certified pilot. Price for a ride is $20 for kids 10 and older and $15 for kids ages 3 to 9. 

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(photo credit: tripadvisor)
11. Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Mini Golf - Swan Hotel

​Mini golf is a great way to spend a few hours together. The Fantasia Gardens and Fairways at the Swan Hotel has ​5 whimsical scenes featuring tutu-clad hippos, marching broomsticks and pirouetting ostriches. Take some fun selfies for some mom and daughter bonding! Open for all ages. Prices range from $14.00 for kids 10 and up and $12 for kids 3- 9.  
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Till next time,
Elisa & Kelsey
1 Comment

3 Steps to Creating Your Disney World Trip Itinerary

8/5/2020

0 Comments

 

Predictable and Definitive Planning For a Happier Disney Trip

With the post Covid-19 rules and crowd restrictions being what they are at Disney World these days, a less jam-packed itinerary may prove more enjoyable. Taking control of where you will be and what you will do, rather than leaving things up to chance will cut down on the unexpected and disappointment for the people in your travel group.

Here are 3 simple steps to creating a trip itinerary to the most magical place on earth for a memorable time!

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(c) travelincousins.com
1. Schedule Specific Days for Each Disney Park

This is something me and my gang have always done. In fact, Kelsey, our family Disney expert, creates an Excel sheet for each day with specifics on where we are going, the times of our fast passes and dining reservations and any attractions we will be enjoying. It has worked out for us each time!

These days, after reopening after the Covid-19 pandemic and quarantine, Disney World now requires park reservations for park entrance in order to manage park attendance, which is done via the Disney Park Pass reservation system.  As a result, designating specific days for each park is not only helpful to a well-planned trip, but it is also now mandatory to adhere to the new rules. Although this does not leave room for spontaneity, it certainly insures you will know exactly where you should be on any given day of your trip.

Further, since "Park Hopping" is currently prohibited under Disney's new rules, and it is no longer possible to visit more than one park per day, scheduling a well planned day at a specific park is the best way to handle your itinerary.

Where to go each day is a very personal decision and based on the interest of your traveling party. Some folks like to stick strictly with the Magic Kingdom, while others mix it up with a different park each day. Our group usually goes anywhere from 4 days to 7 days. For week-long trips, we go to each of the four parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios) and leave the remaining days for Disney Springs and visits to other Disney resorts for special dining experiences. ​

Our Suggestion: Make a column for each day of your trip. Headline each column with where you will be and then you are ready to fill in the rest of your itinerary. My gang always likes to spend our first full day in the park in Magic Kingdom. However, if we happen to arrive mid-day and cannot get a morning start and maximize our daily park ticket, we usually opt to head on over to Disney Springs (no ticket or reservation required) to walk around the shops and enjoy one (or two!) of the many eateries. 
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(c) travelincousins.com
2. Plan and Book Your Dining Reservations

Now that you know WHERE you'll be on any given day, have fun browsing through the plethora of dining options in each park. Whether you prefer quick service or table service dining, it's a good idea to pre-plan which place you wold like to try. The reason we pre-plan our dining is not only to make any necessary dining reservations, but, for the fun of trying different eateries. From our experience, had we not done pre-trip research into the various options available at each park, we surely would have missed out on some wonderful meals! This method is also helpful if you are dealing with any dietary restrictions in your party or if you have picky eaters in that you can view the full menus beforehand. Reservations can be made online and new dining rules are in effect throughout Disney World.

Our Suggestion: Go to the Disney Dining site, which lists all Disney Park restaurants. You can narrow your options by specific park and even by resort, should you be interested in trying one of the Disney resort restaurants' Character Dining or other dining experiences. You will be amazed when looking at the options in this fashion, just how many choices you have and how many you might not have even noticed in person if you hadn't visited the site first! Take the time to read through the menus and see what options they have for those with dietary restrictions such as vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free and any food allergies. Even if you plan to get quick service, it's a good idea to set an approximate time for when you will eat, so it's on the itinerary. Now you can add all dining reservations and plan under the appropriate park column of your itinerary and call to make the necessary reservations!

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3. Select Attractions and Book Fast Passes

When it comes to theme parks or amusement parks, not all rides suit all people. Of course there is something to be said about hitting every single attraction, but, if you are traveling with kids or mature loved ones, this may not be the most practical approach. We have found that creating a list of your top 10 attractions for each park in order of priority is the best way to insure a good time for all. Your top 3 will be those for which you book fast passes. According to the Disney World website there are total of 173 rides and attractions throughout the parks and resorts of Disney World with 41 in Magic Kingdom, 39 in Epcot, 17 in Hollywood Studios and a whopping 49 in Animal Kingdom! Narrowing things down to your top 10 for each park may seem like a small amount, but trust me, it's not when taking into consideration, lines, walking time throughout each respective park and food breaks.

To save time waiting in line, you can secure a FastPass. Disney FastPass+ service allows you to reserve access to select Walt Disney World theme park attractions, entertainment and Character Greetings in advance. You can begin making your FastPass+ selections at 7:00 AM Eastern Time up to 30 days in advance of your visit. However, at this time, due to the COVID-19 crisis, the FastPass+ service is suspended in order for the parks to control capacity and maintain physical distancing. 

Our Suggestion: Take a little time togteher with your family and/or fellow Disney travelers to visit the official Disney Attractions site for each of the theme parks to see which ones make your top 10 list. This little pre-trip exercise really gets you in the mood for experiencing the real thing in person! Then add the rides and attractions onto your ever-growing trip itinerary under the appropriate columns. We usually slug in our choices by in-park location in order to save time. You might consider doing the same so you are not running back and forth from one are to another and wasting precious time.

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At this point, you should have a pretty full list of things to do and places to be for each day of your trip on your newly created itinerary. We thought we would give you one of our previously created 3-day itineraries for your reference:




Day 1
Disney Springs
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- Hotel Quick Service Breakfast 
- Walk around/Shop
- Lunch at The Edision
- More Shopping
- Dinner at Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza 
- AMC Movie (Frozen 2)
​- Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC
Day 2
Magic Kingdom
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- Hotel Quick Service Breakfast
- The Magic Carpets of Aladdin 
- It's A Small World
- The Barnstormer

- Lunch at Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd - Skipper Canteen
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Splash Mountain
- Country Bear Jamboree
- Under the Sea - Journey of The Little Mermaid

- Dinner at Columbia Harbour House
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- Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
- Tomorrowland Speedway
- Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
Day 3
Epcot
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Future World
- Breakfast at Garden Grill
- Soarin' Around the World
- Living with The Land
- Spaceship Earth
- The Seas with Nemo & Friends


World Showcase
Lunch at Via Napoli
- Relax in the Italy Pavillion
- Frozen Ever After (Norway)
- The American Adventure (America)
- Canada Far & Wide Circle Vision


- Dinner at Chefs de France
​- Ice Cream at L'Artisan des Glaces
- Shopping at La Bottega Italiana, Mitsukoshi Department Store and World Traveler and others
Till our next Disney adventure,
- Elisa & Kelsey
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    Picture

    Elisa and Kelsey

    Travelin' Elisa's gang LOVES Walt Disney World!. 

    With Walt Disney World a frequent destination, Kelsey, 13,  has become a Disney aficionado! For the past few years, she has single-handedly planned all aspects of the family Disney trips and is the resident expert on all goings on, resorts, dining destinations and the latest events at the Florida theme park.

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