Hersheypark in the Dark is back for 2021 and it's SWEETER than ever! If you've never experienced this seasonal favorite in Hershey, PA you have been missing out! We've been to Hersheypark in the Dark several times and it's always a blast. What better way to celebrate the Halloween season then with rides, decorations, festivities, and. . .oh yeah!. . .CHOCOLATE! Find out more about the 15th Anniversary of Hersheypark in the Dark below.
When can you visit Hersheypark in the Dark in 2021?
Hersheypark in the Dark - Image from Hersheypark
Hersheypark in the Dark is open for three weekends in October 2021. Beginning Friday, October 15, guests can visit Friday, Saturday, and Sundays. Hersheypark in the Dark will be open through Sunday, October 31. Guests can visit Friday evenings from 5PM - 9PM and on Saturdays and Sundays from 2PM - 9PM.
What attractions are open inside the park during Hersheypark in the Dark?
Our family had the pleasure of being invited by Dutch Wonderland to enjoy opening day of Winter Wonderland during the holiday season. Even though Dutch Wonderland is not a new destination for our family (check out my coverage of past visits here!), this was our first time enjoying the park during the holidays. Staying true to it's slogan as a "Kingdom for Kids," there is plenty for families to enjoy together. We were delighted with so much during our visit and I can't wait to share some of my tips to make the most of your day at Winter Wonderland as well.
We arrived just a few minutes before park opening and were among the first to enter. I wasn't sure what to expect crowd wise for the day - it was opening day of the season but there was also a chance of rain throughout the evening - so we tried to think of a plan that would maximize our time in the park. Upon entering, we headed straight to Merlin's Restaurant where we had the chance to meet the big guy himself - SANTA! In fact, we had the distinction of being the very first guests of the season to meet Santa. It was a fabulous visit. Not rushed at all and several photos taken throughout the time with him. When it comes to purchasing photos, you have a few options to consider. If you purchase a day long photo pass for the price of $25, your Santa photos are not included, but digital downloads can be added at just $5 each. If you don't want to purchase all of your photos from around the park for the day, you can purchase your Santa photo for a $15 digital download price. I thought this was a great bargain compared to the pricing in malls around us! Before we leave the topic of visiting Santa, I will say that we were in Merlin's Restaurant later on in the evening too and, again, never saw a line of more than a 2-3 families waiting to meet him. Maybe we just had a light crowd day, but I was impressed with how easy it was to say hi. In fact, my boys went back a second time in the evening to talk to Santa and they bought him a hot chocolate because they said "he's been working hard all night!"
First ones of the season to meet Santa!
After stopping by to see Santa first, we headed towards to the back of the park. This is one of the my common strategies when visiting theme parks - start from the back and work your way forward. Honestly, there was never a crowd to speak of all night (I think the threat of rain was holding some people off), but we definitely were one of only a few that headed to Exploration Island and were able to walk right on several rides. Those that we did have to wait for were never more than a 5 minute wait. You obviously won't find water rides open, but besides those and the larger roller coasters, Merlin's Mayhem and Kingdom Coaster, most everything else was open to ride. We covered a lot of ground in a short amount of time and worked up an appetite by the time we hit almost every ride and made our way back to the front of the park. Want a quick way to see what the whole park has to offer? Don't miss the Wonderland Special train ride or the Sky Ride - they are especially beautiful with the lights!
The lights were beautiful!
This was the perfect time to stop back into Merlin's Restaurant for a treat. When we were here earlier visiting Santa, the cookie decorating station caught my eye and we decided to give that a try along with having cups of hot chocolate to warm up on the chilly November night. Cookie decorating is $3.99 per person. You get a very large cookie and then can head to the "buffet" of icing and sprinkles to create your own masterpiece. My boys had a lot of fun making their cookies and even more fun eating them! Fun bonus - you even get a cute apron to wear during the experience!
Once we were done, we ventured back outside to find the rain had started up. We took a quick stroll through the park again to get a final look at the Christmas lights in all of their nighttime glory. The Christmas light show with dancing lights to music was a lot of fun, but my favorite lights were found on the trees. There is one tree with gorgeous blue lights and lighted icicles on it as well. Don't forget to venture back to Exploration Island and walk through the dinosaurs at night too!
We spent 3 hours in the park before the rain really started to dampen the evening, but we pretty much got to see and do everything except the two stage shows that are offered. This is a great way to celebrate the holidays and have a fun-filled family evening. Remember, Dutch Wonderland is truly a Kingdom for Kids so most of the rides and attractions here have your youngest family members in mind. At 4 years old, Caleb couldn't have been happier all night long! Ready to check it out? Season pass holders for Dutch Wonderland have access to Winter Wonderland included. If you need to purchase tickets for this event, check out my blog reader discount here (Promo Code: DWWBlog19) to save $3 off of the gate price - only $12.99 per person!! Enjoy and happy holidays!
My family received complimentary admission to Dutch Wonderland's Winter Wonderland so we could share our fun adventures with you! As always, thoughts and opinions are my own!
Since Dutch Wonderland opened it's gates in 1963, they have been known to delight families visiting Lancaster County. While many new rides have been added and the park has undergone numerous expansions, the family fun atmosphere has only grown too. I remember visiting Dutch Wonderland as a child myself and enjoy being able to bring my kids there to make new memories with them. There's a lot to love about this Kingdom for Kids and I have a few tips to make to your day truly Dutch Wonder-ful!
As a Royal Ambassador, my family and I received complimentary admission to Dutch Wonderland in exchange for sharing our experiences with you. As always, thoughts and opinions are true to our experiences!
Arrive at Park Opening - We pulled into the parking lot at 9:40 for a 10:00 opening. By the time the park officially opened we had cleared security, entered the gates, and my family was in in line for our first ride - the Wonderland Special - a train ride around the park. Coming early to Dutch Wonderland offers a few great perks. First, we were there to open the park with a special announcement from Princess Brooke as we joined her countdown to begin the day. Second, we beat the crowds to some of the most popular rides. While lines weren't a big issue throughout the day, we certainly experienced faster lines and lower crowds within the first 2 hours. For example, we rode Merlin's Mayhem 3 times in a row - walking right back on each time! And rode the Kingdom Coaster twice with the same experience. Lastly, it allows you to beat the heat. We took a park strategy of riding rides until about 1, then breaking for lunch and a visit to Duke's Lagoon in the heat of the day. We left Duke's Lagoon around 3:30 and went back to the rides for a few hours before departing. As the summer weather only gets warmer, this will certainly make your day more enjoyable.
Take Time to Visit Duke's Lagoon - While this wasn't my visit to Dutch Wonderland, this was my first visit to Duke's Lagoon and all I have to say is WOW! Dutch Wonderland took their concept of creating a Kingdom for Kids and expanded it beautifully to this water play area. Without an actual pool, Duke's Lagoon is a really a giant splash pad with play features, water slides, geysers, fountains, and, yes, dumping buckets. The beauty of this play area is that it is entirely safe for little ones! The concrete becomes a soft pad where the water features are located so little feet don't get burned. And here's the great part grown-ups - you can totally decide whether or not you want to get wet. I spent about the first hour in my street clothes and was totally able to keep track of my 4 year old and 7 year old and their friend without getting anything wet but my feet. Now, because I'm a big kid at heart, I couldn't sit on the sidelines long and I joined in the fun in my bathing suit as well. We took our 7 year old on Pipleline Plunge as well, which is a large water slide. Even on this though you don't get soaked. The water slide is in a raft and you don't end in a large pool, but rather in a chute with just a little water when you come out - again making this not scary and totally safe for little riders - despite the fact that it is a SERIOUS slide from the size perspective. There are lockers and changing areas in Duke's Lagoon. It's important to note that lockers are cash only - no cards accepted - especially because I'm usually a cashless person. My husband actually commented too on how much he appreciated the changing rooms having individual changing stalls for an element of privacy instead of a "locker room" feel. You can find lunch and snacks over here too. We easily could have spent way more time than the 2 1/2 hours we already did at Duke's Lagoon and my littlest said it was his favorite part of the whole day!
Don't Miss the Shows - While it's easy to get caught up in so many other fun things around the park, you definitely want to make time to enjoy some of the shows during your day at Dutch Wonderland. From comedy, to dance, to a little bit of magic - there's a lot to see. Each show is timed perfectly for little attention spans too with typical run times of 15 minutes or so. Our favorite show of the day was at the Aqua Theater where they had a diving story presentation. Yeah - you read the right. We heard The Adventures of the Frog Prince, but instead of it just being acted out, it was presented complete with entertaining (and funny!) diving frogs. The kids and adults both LOVED it and we laughed the entire time. Be warned though that those red "splash zone" rows are serious splash zones. If the divers don't get you with their dives, they will come over and give you a few splashes just for fun! Shows also offer the perfect opportunity to rest your feet during a busy day and most feature some shade from the summer sun. This is also a perfect time to reapply that sunscreen right before the show begins and let it soak in good during the show before going back out to the heat! A few of the show locations also offer character meets throughout the day. We met up with Merlin and Duke the Dragon at one of the stages. But these locations aren't your only chance to meet characters as they roam throughout the park and are happy to stop for a quick conversation and a photo opportunity!
Bring Your Appetite - Like most theme parks, there are a lot of great food options here. While many of the restaurants feature your theme park standard chicken tenders, burgers, corn dogs, french fries, etc., you can also find locations featuring healthier choices like at Bean Sprouts located in the Mill Stream Eatery. There are also several familiar favorites around the park. Our boys are addicted to Auntie Anne's pretzels and were delighted to see not one, but two, different locations to get their favorite snack in the park. We also found a Rita's for a familiar cool, sweet treat later on in the day. Dutch Wonderland also offers a character breakfast on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the summer from 9:00AM - 10:00AM. At only $15.99 per person this is an affordable option to get your day started right! There's also refillable drink cup options in both adult and toddler size to save you money on drinks throughout the day and season pass holders may be interested in looking at an All Season Dining Pass which offers 2 combo meals each day they are in the park.
Enjoy Being a Kid Again - Everything at this park is geared with little ones in mind. I would say Dutch Wonderland is the perfect theme park for elementary school and younger. My 7 year old was big enough to do any ride he wanted to and my 4 year old was big enough for most rides throughout the park. This isn't the park to take thrill seeking teenagers as Kingdom Coaster and Merlin's Mayhem are probably the only two rides that would excite them, but those two coasters are perfect introductions into the "adult" roller coaster world that upper elementary school kids will be wanting to start to explore. Whether it's driving a car, walking a dinosaur trail, laughing on the frog hopper, or getting a little wet on the log flume, the rides are designed to have fun as a family - something really important to us and to many of you! We visited on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend and lines were very manageable throughout the day with our longest waits being about 30 minutes and most wait times being between 5-10 minutes. With wait times like those, it's easy to let kids enjoy their favorites over and over again. I sometimes feel very rushed at theme parks trying to get from ride to ride and keeping an itinerary, where here we were able to slow down, let the kids take the lead, and really had an enjoyable time meandering through the park to experience it all.
So are you ready to have a Dutch Wonder-ful day with your family? I have a great deal exclusive to blog readers to save money for your whole family to enjoy making memories together. Don't forget to use promo code summerblog19 to get the best deal. As you're capturing your fun that day, don't forget to share on social media with #DutchWonderland so everyone can see the royally good time you are having! For the latest information, park hours, and magical details, check out Dutch Wonderland's website and social media channels.
I'm excited to share with you that I've been selected as a Royal Ambassador for Dutch Wonderland this summer! What does that mean? Well, Dutch Wonderland will be hosting my family for a day of fun and entertainment so I can share all the excitement with you! I also get to pass on extra savings to my readers and followers so that you too can enjoy all that Dutch Wonderland has to offer this summer. Dutch Wonderland opens for weekends starting April 27th and will open 7 days a week starting Memorial Day. Before the summer season kicks into full swing, let's take a quick look at the basics about this "Kingdom for Kids!"
Dutch Wonderland is located in Lancaster, PA - just about 90 minutes from our house in Maryland. Generations of families have now been enjoying the rides and entertainment at this family amusement park since 1963. In fact, I remember visiting as a kid and now love that I'm getting to create new memories with my own children. Like many other amusement parks these days, Dutch Wonderland has expanded beyond just rides and shows to bring guests a water play area - Duke's Lagoon which opened in 2003 and has continued to grow over the years. This continued expansion without losing sight of the core of being a "A Kingdom for Kids" is part of the reason Dutch Wonderland has been voted "One of the Top Five Best Kids' Parks in the World" by Amusement Today in 2008 and 2009.
Caleb and I visited Dutch Wonderland as guests of the park in October for a day of Happy Hauntings and you can relive our experience here! We loved the fact that all of the rides were perfectly sized for him to enjoy and the entertainment was fun throughout the park. With 35 rides on 43 acres, I'm sure the whole family will enjoy our time there this summer!
If you are planning to visit Dutch Wonderland, check out a great deal for my readers and followers by visiting http://www.dutchwonderland.com/blogreader and use code "summerblog19" for exclusive savings. I can't wait to share my experience at Dutch Wonderland with you and follow your adventures as well! In the meantime, enjoy this look at our Happy Hauntings video from our October visit to give you a taste of the fun that awaits this summer!
As a Royal Ambassador, my family and I will receive complimentary admission to Dutch Wonderland for a day during the 2019 Summer Season in exchange for my reviews and posts. Reviews and posts are always honest and my own!
Imagine a world where rides, characters, and everyone's favorite - chocolate! - come together in an amazing park. Lucky for us, this gem is just up the road in Hershey, PA. Hersheypark is home to a wide array of rides for both kids and adults to enjoy as well as restaurants, Zoo America, Chocolate World, and much, much more. With so much to see and do, you want to have a game plan that's just right for your family. We all know that traveling with young kids can sometimes be challenging, but here are all the tips you need to make the most of your day at Hersheypark!
One of the things to keep in mind when preparing for your day at Hersheypark is the presence of The Boardwalk area. Hersheypark is home to an amazing water area featuring kiddie pools, wave pools, a lazy river, water slides, and even a water roller coaster. I recommend heading up in the morning wearing your bathing suits underneath of shorts and a t-shirt and packing a dry clothes gallon-sized baggie for each family member. When you are done in the water area, you can put the shorts and shirts back on and your dry undergarments from the baggie then use the baggie to place your wet bathing suits in so the rest of you contents don't get soaked. You'll want to be sure to pack plenty of sunscreen to in order to reapply throughout the day - there's not much shade around the park.
We are lucky enough to head up to Hershey several times throughout the year, but if you are only in town for the day, you'll want to plan accordingly to see as much as possible. I recommend starting at The Boardwalk. While the family is heading that way and getting situated, this park opening time is a great opportunity for a grown-up or two to catch a roller coaster before the lines get long. The Boardwalk becomes incredibly popular in the heat of the afternoon and can boast long lines for the slides so hitting it earlier in the day, may be your best bet. Grab a locker by Tidal Force - a water ride just outside of The Boardwalk. You can drop off your dry clothes there and walk around in your bathing suit as you enter the water area. Afterwards, there are locker rooms out by those lockers that are often less crowded than the ones inside of the The Boardwalk area.
Once you are in your dry clothes, head to the back of the park and check out Midway America. Family friendly attractions here include a number of kiddie rides as well as a large Ferris Wheel that give awesome views of the park. You can also find several coasters for adults to enjoy including, my favorite wooden coaster Lightning Racer. From here, head back to Pioneer Frontier where there is another group of kiddie rides and you won't want to miss the Dry Gulch Railroad as a fun trip around the park the whole family will certainly enjoy. Continue further towards the back of the park and grab lunch at The Overlook where you can pick from a variety of food choices all under one roof before heading up for a ride on the Kissing Tower and taking a spin around the Twin Turnpike.
Now is a great time to take a break from the park and visit ZooAmerica - free with your ticket to Hersheypark! This can be done in as little as 45 minutes or take as long as you want to see all types of animals. There are some indoor buildings here and the zoo offers a little more shade than the park for the mid-afternoon heat of summer. When you re-enter the park, head down to the Hollow where two kid-friendly rollercoasters can be found - The Comet and SooperDooperLooper. Fun fact - SooperDooperLooper was the first roller coaster I ever went upside down on when I was a kid! Don't let the name scare you - it's really only one loop and is a perfect starter coaster! Lastly, you'll want to head to Founder's Way where kiddie rides abound! This is a great place to end your day with so many rides for kids to choose from. And since most people stop here on the way into the park, lines are often shorter in the evening.
We always like to end our day by having dinner and dessert at Chocolate World. Chocolate World is free for anyone to visit and features a food court with actual meals as well as chocolate decadence that will make your dreams come true! There is also a free ride that shows how Hershey's chocolate is made. If you have some extra time, there are additional experiences at Chocolate Word that carry an extra fee - make your own chocolate bar, a 4D movie, and a chocolate tasting experience. What a sweet end to the day!
Hershey, PA is home to so much family fun that you can easily spend several days enjoying all there is to offer - and we haven't even talked about Hershey Gardens, The Hershey Story Museum, and the downtown area. What's your favorite way to spend a day in Hershey?
As we continue to count down the days to our next Walt Disney World trip, I'm busy finalizing FastPass+ reservations for our favorite rides and attractions using the My Disney Experience website and app. I don't know about you and your family, but we have some favorite rides that are "can't miss" experiences for us on each of our family vacations. Here are my top 5 must-do rides in Walt Disney World.
5. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train - Magic Kingdom - One of the newer rides in Walt Disney World, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train boasts mild thrills while also showcasing some amazing creativity. The dwarfs inside the mine take you right back to the famous scenes from the movie. This is probably the most popular ride in Magic Kingdom these days and FastPass+ reservations go quickly. Without a FastPass+ time, you can expect to spend well over an hour in line for your turn.
4. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror - Hollywood Studios - I have a closet obsession with The Twilight Zone. Each year, when the Sci-Fi Channel runs marathons of the show on fourth of July and New Year's Eve, I find myself drawn into the show. This ride puts you right in the middle of your own Twilight Zone story as you go plummeting down an elevator shaft in The Hollywood Hotel. This is a definite FastPass+ reservation for us. At Disney's Hollywood Studios, this is a tier 2 FastPass+ selection which makes it a no-brainer for us!
3. Toy Story Mania! - Hollywood Studios - This is Brody's favorite ride in all of Walt Disney World! Here you enter the world of Andy's toys while playing a carnival-style selection of computer games. The ride is interactive, fast-paced, and entertaining. This is another ride where wait times can easily top an hour, so a FastPass+ reservation is highly recommended. As a tier 1 attraction, you'll have to make some tough choices in Disney's Hollywood Studios, but for our family there is no question on securing a FastPass+ for this favorite attraction.
2. Soarin' - Epcot - We have yet to experience the new video in Epcot's Soarin', but if it's even half as good as the previous version of the ride (and I've heard it's even better), we're going to be thrilled with the experience. This has always been one of my husband's favorite rides in Walt Disney World and I'm excited that my oldest son will get to enjoy it for the first time on our upcoming visit! We always like to hit this early in the day while also checking out other fun features in the Land Pavilion before heading over to Epcot's World Showcase.
1. Dumbo the Flying Elephant - Magic Kingdom - This ride is a Walt Disney World classic and holds a special place in my heart. One of my favorite Disney memories is from my very first trip. I was just 5 years old and my grandmother and I rode Dumbo together. It's still one of my favorite pictures from Magic Kingdom! Now I get to make memories with my own children nearly 30 years later. That's the magic of Walt Disney World - family memories to enjoy year after year!
Walt Disney World in the summertime often gets a bad reputation for being full of heat, humidity, and the frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Well. . .this is kind of true. While your Disney trip in the summer does feature some intense weather from time to time, there are plenty of ways to beat the heat and humidity to have fun with your family. Here are some of my favorite tips:
1. Order a case (or cases) of water from an online grocer and have them delivered to your hotel. You can get a case of water for a few dollars instead of paying $2.50 a bottle or using one snack credit in the parks. Disney lets you bring in soft side coolers, food, and drink. This is a great way to make sure you have plenty of water to stay hydrated and cool while also not breaking the bank. Remember that the online grocers have order minimums, but if you're traveling with kids for at least a few day trip, you can certainly fill up on snacks, fresh fruit, and other drinks to keep everyone happy. I've used Garden Grocer in the past and have been really happy!
Enjoying the water slide at Port Orleans Riverside
2. Avoid the parks in the middle of the day by taking a break back at your hotel. Whether you decide to take a nap in your air conditioned room or cool off in one of the amazing pools, the break will be sure to refresh you so you can stay up for the nighttime activities in the park without tiring out. I recommend getting to the park at rope drop, head back to your resort after lunch and then return to the parks around dinner.
3. Indoor rides and shows can be a great way to quickly cool off in the parks when you need a break and don't want to head all the way back to your room. If you're in Epcot, check out Ellen's Energy Adventure - the total ride takes about 45 minutes where you are seated watching a video and riding through time. Over in Hollywood Studios, The Great Movie Ride is one where you have a fun ride queue that is inside featuring scenes from some Turner Classic Movie favorites. And in the Magic Kingdom, shows like Mickey's PhilarMagic and The Country Bears provide both music and a respite from the heat.
Taking a break with Mickey Ice Cream at Hollywood Studios
4. What would a trip to any amusement park be without ice cream? And in Walt Disney World, you can find lots of cool, frozen treats. If the classic ice cream sandwich or ice cream bar are your favorites, you can find Mickey shaped ice cream throughout the parks. But perhaps the most famous cool treat in Walt Disney World is the Dole Whip. If you haven't tried one, you're missing out! This is a soft serve pineapple creation that can be served simply in a cup or as a float. Dole Whips are more elusive in the parks than the typical ice cream. My favorite spot to pick one up is in Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom.
5. Don't forget to pack up some ways to keep cool and stay safe in the sun from home. Sunscreen is available throughout all of the Disney parks, but you're going to pay a premium for buying it on vacation compared to what you'll pay at home. Also, remember to pack spray bottles or personal fans - or better yet the spray bottle with a fan on it! Again, you can buy one with a picture of Mickey and friends in the parks, but you'll save significantly by buying a generic one at Wal-Mart or Target before heading out on your vacation. If you have kids using strollers, I also recommend purchasing a stroller fan to help them stay cool. We bought one on Amazon for less than $15 before our trip with a 5 month old and it was some of the best money I ever spent. Remember that a cool baby is less likely to be a cranky baby!
And as a bonus tip - if you are traveling with infants or toddlers, don't forget to make use of the baby care centers in each park. They are perfect for a little rest and relaxation in the middle of the park day and can be a mom and dad's best friend!
Just remember that with a good strategy and some advanced planning, you can make Disney in July not only bearable, but an all around magical vacation!
When people think of a Disney vacation, phrases like "the happiest place on Earth" and images of smiling children often come to mind. But parents with small children be warned - parts of Walt Disney World may terrify your children. I don't say this to discourage your vacation or send you into pure panic mode. The purpose today is to simply tell it to you like it is so you can be prepared for an all too often reality when traveling with toddlers and preschoolers. Let's face it. . .this age group thrives on routines and familiarity. So, what would possibly freak them out about larger than life characters, tremendous crowds, loud noises, change in nap and bedtime schedules, and dark rides?
Probably the biggest terrifying incident we've dealt with has been focused around rides. On our first two trips to Walt Disney World with Brody, he loved all rides and experiences. Then he turned three. Rides that used to be fan favorites as a toddler are suddenly terrifying as a preschooler. In case you weren't aware - The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh can cause shrieks of terror that rival anything you've ever heard before. So what was the common theme between the rides that scared him - each of them started in the dark. It didn't seem to matter if the characters inside were fearsome pirates or cuddly storybook bears, the slow ride with a dark start was not something he was interested in. Tip - Try showing your children these rides ahead of time on YouTube or on the Disney Parks Vacation Planning DVD. By seeing the inside of the ride from the safety of their own home, your child may be brave enough to face some of these when they get to the park.
Another common experience that terrifies involves meeting their favorite characters. It's not uncommon for small children to be frightened of Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny at the mall so it shouldn't be any surprise that a 6 1/2 foot mouse would freak them out. We were fortunate that our children have never been afraid of the characters in Disney. . .at least not yet. Don't be surprised if one trip everything is fine and then on the next trip they won't get close to them. Tip - Don't push your kids. I know how frustrating it is to wait in a 45 minute line and then get to the front and find them unwilling to meet the character. Just smile and say "OK. How about a wave this time and maybe next time we'll get closer for a high five or a hug?"
Some of the shows have also scared our children. Even fun, musical shows like Mickey's Philarmagic are not always as "kid-friendly" as they may seem. The dark room and loud noises can push a child that's already on sensory overload over the proverbial edge. Tip - If you have a pair of headphones, these can act as a great noise buffer for super sensitive little ears.
With everything in Walt Disney World, remember it's best to go at the pace of your young child. Trust me, it's not worth fighting or trying to force a child to do something even though you've spent a small fortunate to create this magical experience. The trip will be much more enjoyable for you and your child if you let them lead the way on deciding what their comfort level. I've been on many Disney trips in my lifetime and the only thing that is consistent in all of them is that they are never the same. So don't let a tough trip with a toddler or preschooler derail future plans and don't worry too much about your trip ahead of time. Relax and enjoy - after all, you're in the most magical place on Earth!
Springtime in Epcot means the return of the annual Flower and Garden Festival. With those flowers, also comes spring rain showers. Regardless of what time of year you travel to Walt Disney World, the Florida climate might throw a rainy day your way. No need to despair though! There is still a lot of fun to have in the parks despite the rain clouds. On a rainy day, I recommend heading to Epcot to find plenty of activities - many of which take place inside!
Unlike the other parks, a good number of Epcot attractions are actually located inside large pavilions. You can easily spend over an hour in several of the pavilions in Future World. The Land pavilion is home to Soarin' and the Living with the Land ride. Meanwhile, you can easily spend upwards of 90 minutes inside The Seas with Nemo and Friends riding the ride, talking with Crush, and viewing the various types of sea life inside the aquariums. Journey into Your Imagination with Figment and Ellen's Energy Adventure are other great choices in Future World.
World Showcase requires a bit more walking, but still offers many indoor shows and attractions. Many countries including Canada, China, and America to name a few offer shows that highlight their culture, all of which are inside theaters. Many of the shops and restaurants in each country are connected or are located right next to each other so you won't need to worry with umbrellas or ponchos to stay dry. Even the rides in World Showcase are inside including the Gran Fiesta Tour and the new Frozen attraction.
And when all else fails, you can always hide from the rain in one of the many restaurants located around World Showcase. Some of the best restaurants featuring unique cuisines from around the world can be found in Epcot. One of my favorites is to visit the Rose and Crown Pub in England. Traditional UK favorites mix with comfy decor and a beautiful view of World Showcase Lagoon.
So don't let the rain dampen your Walt Disney World plans! Each park has things to see and do when the weather is less than perfect, but Epcot can turn any day into a "Zip-a-dee-doo-dah" day!
Frontierland's famous attraction - Big Thunder Mountain Railroad!
Today, we end our tour of the lands of Magic Kingdom with Frontierland. Frontierland is where the wild, wild west meets Walt Disney World fun! While Frontierland is home to one of my favorite rides in the park, it is probably the place I have spent the least amount of time on my recent trips. This is a relatively small area of the park tucked back behind Liberty Square, but boasts two of the three mountains to conquer in Magic Kingdom - Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Those two mountains are probably what draw most people to Frontierland. But there are a few attractions that you might miss out on that are especially friendly for preschool kids - my travel specialty!
The first attraction that is a preschool favorite is the classic Country Bear Jamboree. This audio-animatronic country music show features singing bears and lots of laughs. It's also one of the last attractions that Walt Disney actually helped design. The roughly 15 minute show is inside an air conditioned theatre which provides a nice break in the middle of a long day at the parks. Another favorite among small children is Tom Sawyer's Island. Accessible from a raft in Frontierland, this island has adventures on several trails throughout the island. With plenty to climb on and space to run around while boasting a great deal of shade, this is the perfect place for little ones to burn off some energy when the crowds and lines become a bit much in other parts of the park.
Be on the lookout for characters located throughout Frontierland!
Frontierland is also home to one of the stops along the Walt Disney World Railroad which takes guests around Magic Kingdom. If you know anything about Walt Disney, you probably are aware of his love of trains. The old steam engines that circle the park are both a practical way to travel and a fun experience for the whole family. As one of the many tours that are offered in Walt Disney World, your family can even get a behind the scenes look at the steam engines and the work that goes into preparing them for a day of passengers. If you're looking to ride the rails while in Magic Kingdom, you can find stops in not only Frontierland, but also in Fantasyland and at the entrance of the park on Main Street, U.S.A.
Even though Frontierland is not one of the places where we spend a lot of time when we're in Magic Kingdom, it's not a place to be missed along our journey. And I'm sure that as our children continue to grow, the thrills of Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will make it even more exciting!
Fantasyland is everything you think about when you think about Walt Disney World. Rides, restaurants, characters, and unforgettable experiences combine to make this one of the favorite spots in not only Magic Kingdom, but throughout the entire Walt Disney World Resort.
Dining - In Fantasyland, you'll find many places to grab a meal or a snack as you pass through the park. Two of the newer places to check out are Be Our Guest Restaurant and Gaston's Tavern. Be Our Guest is a unique dining experience. For breakfast and lunch, reservations are definitely required, but the meal is quick service. You can pre-order your meal before arriving in the park for an even faster dining experience. Dinner features table service fare and even a visit from the Beast himself. For more information on this restaurant, check out my breakfast, lunch, and dinner reviews. If you can't grab a reservation for Be Our Guest, swing into Gaston's Tavern where you can grab a quick bite on the go. You don't want to miss out on tasting some of LeFou's Brew either while there! The other extremely popular dining reservation here is Cinderella's Royal Table. Regardless of whether or not you have kids, a meal inside Cinderella Castle with some of the most popular Disney princesses is a must do on everyone's Disney bucket list.
Rides - Some of the most popular rides throughout all of Walt Disney World can be found here in Fantasyland. Classic attractions like Peter Pan's Flight, It's a Small World, and Dumbo combine with new favorites such as Seven Dwarf's Mine Train and Under the Sea - Journey of the Little Mermaid to provide literally hours of ride entertainment in this one small section of the park. Most of the rides here are accessible to even the tiniest of travelers meaning that everyone can join in on the fun. If you want to ride Peter Pan's Flight and Seven Dwarf's Mine Train, I would strongly recommend a FastPass as these often have waits exceeding 60 minutes.
Characters and Entertainment - If you want to meet characters, Fantasyland is the place to be. There are several character greetings here that even make use of the FastPass+ system. Inside of Princess Fairytale Hall there are two separate greetings - one for Cinderella and Rapunzel and the other for Anna and Elsa. I've seen the Anna and Elsa wait time be as long as 200 minutes so this is definitely a great use of a FastPass reservation if you want to meet these two Frozen royals. Ariel is also available for a meet and greet at her Grotto next to the Under the Sea ride. You can also catch up with Goofy, Donald, Daisy, and Minnie at Pete's Silly Sideshow for autographs and pictures. Throughout the day, you may also find the Fairy Godmother, Cinderella's Stepsisters, Alice, Gaston, Winnie the Pooh, and others available around this part of the park. And if you're looking to escape the heat and enjoy some entertainment, step into Mickey's PhilharMagic or visit Enchanted Tales with Belle. Both provide a great experience for kids and adults alike and, if you choose to visit Enchanted Tales, you even get to meet Belle at the end and get a photo with her!
With so much to see and do in Fantasyland, we easily spend HOURS here on each Disney trip. This is truly where magic comes to life for kids and adults!
I always love when I find a new little treat at Walt Disney World and on our last vacation with the kids, I learned about the Skipper's License on the Jungle Cruise in Magic Kingdom. On this particular July day, we entered Magic Kingdom first thing in the morning and, instead of heading to New Fantasyland like many of the crowds, we turned left towards Adventureland. We were pleasantly surprised to find a practically abandoned section of the park with no wait for the Jungle Cruise or The Magic Carpets of Aladdin. Our first stop of the day was the Jungle Cruise where we walked right on and had the boat to ourselves!
Once we pulled away from the dock, our skipper asked Brody if he'd like to join him at the steering wheel and take a turn driving the boat. Brody was a little nervous at first, but with some comforting words and the offer of help, he stepped up to the wheel and became our tour guide. It was a really great experience and the smile on his face showed what a good time he was having!
After we returned to the dock and disembarked, Brody was presented with his very own Skipper's License. He was told to hang onto the license and anytime he returns to the Jungle Cruise and shows it, he can drive again! When you think of all of the souvenirs lining the many gift shops of Walt Disney World, this is a truly unique takeaway from the trip and one that he will be sure to keep for a long time.
So how can a little one in your family become the skipper? Great question. I know we were lucky enough to have the boat to ourselves which made it easy to be picked. I've been on the Jungle Cruise countless times over the years and don't remember this, but I may have just been oblivious. If you're interested, I would try to get to the Jungle Cruise early in the day when the crowds are less or try to snag a seat close to the skipper if you're traveling on a busier boat ride.
Happy sailing friends! And don't forget to watch out for those wild animals along the journey!
