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Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Review

December 9, 2022 By Lindsay Leave a Comment

I just got back from a very busy trip to Orlando on Wednesday. One of the highlights of our trip was visiting Walt Disney World for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party! Having attended the party a few times in the past, I feel like I can give a fair review of the event and provide a few tips.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Just in case you don’t know, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is an add-on ticketed event held at the Magic Kingdom after normal park hours to celebrate the holiday season. Typically, it’s held from early/mid-November until right before Christmas. The party includes special character meet and greets, a Christmas parade, holiday stage and fireworks shows, ride overlays, as well as free cookies and drinks!

Party Entertainment

One of the main draws of the party is the unique entertainment options. One key difference between this party and the Not So Scary Halloween Party though is that these shows will eventually be included with the regular park admission as you get closer to Christmas. However, if you are visiting before that time, then you can only experience the holiday parade, stage show, and fireworks show at the Christmas Party. Personally, I absolutely adore seeing the toy soldiers marching down Main Street, USA!

Food

During the Halloween Party, you can trick-or-treat for candy. During Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, you can go around the park for free cookies and beverages! These treats are only available at the party. However, this year they were pre-packaged Cheryl’s cookies. So, if you want to try them outside the party, you can order some for yourself.

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Now that you have an adequate understanding of the party itself, allow me to share some tips with you!

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Tips

Arrive early. The party starts at 7 PM, but your ticket allows you to enter the park at 4! Use this time to eat dinner or get in line for any big characters you want to see.
Get a spot for entertainment early. Stake out your spot for the parade early. In previous years, the second parade was less crowded. However, this year it appeared that this advice has been read by everyone and it’s no longer the case. My mom and I sat on Main Street for the first parade and it was less crowded than the second parade! So, just know that if you want a prime spot, you need to get there at least 30-45 minutes early.
Pick up an event guide. When you first enter the park, pick up an event guide that features a map with treat locations as well as times guide. I highly recommend picking one up to reference throughout the night.
Make a list of must-do’s. You aren’t going to be able to see and do everything at the party. It’s just too short/too crowded. So, do your research and know the things that are priorities for your group.
Enjoy the ambiance. You could be annoyed that you have to stake out a spot for the parade so far in advance or that you have to be so close with so many people. You can also choose to enjoy just being in the park while it’s decorated for the holidays and snowing! I truly believe your attitude impacts your experience. Make the best of it and you will enjoy it.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party can be a delightful holiday addition to your Disney World trip. I promise that there’s nothing else like it!

Theme Park Tips for Scaredy Cats

October 19, 2022 By Lindsay Leave a Comment

Before I became a frequent theme park visitor, I wasn’t sure there wasn’t anything for me to enjoy at a theme park. I definitely didn’t think my husband or mom who both get motion sickness could have fun at a theme park. However, I’m here to tell you that it’s definitely possible! In fact, here’s a list of theme park tips for scaredy cats or people who like to travel without needing to ride the most thrilling rides.

Theme Park Tips for Scaredy Cats

Up until a few years ago, I assumed you had to be a thrill seeker to enjoy amusement parks. However, after visiting some great ones, I now realize that theme parks can be enjoyable for everyone, regardless of age and ability! So, here are my theme park tips for scaredy cats or people who don’t want to ride the big roller coaster.

Experience the seasonal events. As I’ve posted previously, there’s so much to see and eat during the fall season at Dollywood. However, the same can be said about pretty much any festival at Epcot or SeaWorld Orlando. Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando is another seasonal event I highly recommend. Of course, the holidays at any amusement park are filled with special shows, décor, and food to enjoy!
See a show. Most amusement parks also have shows you can watch during the day. So, glance at a schedule for the day’s events at the park and catch a few! They can be a great way to escape the weather too!
Try out new food. Do some research before you arrive and see what food the park is famous for. For instance, you have to get the cinnamon bread at Dollywood or a Dole Whip at Disney Parks. Then, go and try as many of those foods as you can!
Ride a sight seeing ride. Most people can tolerate a train ride around a park (Dollywood) or on something like the People Mover at Magic Kingdom. So, be on the lookout for rides in the air to get a different view of the park. You might even spot a ride that looks less intimidating from up in the sky.
Do your research. I highly recommend checking out ride point of view videos on YouTube prior to going to any theme park, to get a feel for a ride and see if it might be tolerable for you or not. You can also read descriptions of rides on many parks’ websites, so if a roller coasters mentions inversions or a tall height requirement, it might not be for you.
Look for add-on events. Lots of parks have add-on events you can participate in for an additional cost. Often times this is not riding a ride. For instance, the Dine with Orcas at SeaWorld Orlando is an add-on event where you can eat lunch while watching a show with an orca! That is thrilling, but totally accessible to everyone! SeaWorld features tons of animal experience add-ons and Walt Disney World has several tours as well. Universal Orlando even has some free behind the scenes tours of their rides!

So, there you have my theme park tips for scaredy cats! Do you have any tips?

Disney World Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP Tour #DisneySMMC

February 20, 2017 By Lindsay Leave a Comment

If you are looking for a new experience at Walt Disney World or you are only visiting for a short time, then you should check out the Disney World Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP Tour.

Disclosure: As an attendee of the 2016 Disney Social Media Moms, I received a complimentary tour for myself and a guest (my husband).

Disney World Ultimate Day of Thrills

Last May, I was lucky enough to attend the 2016 Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. Following the conference, I was able to set-up a VIP tour for myself and a guest. So, I scheduled my tour to take place during my Disneymoon on a Sunday. I’m happy to finally report on our experiences on the Disney World Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP tour.

There are actually two options for the Ultimate Day VIP Tours. There’s the Ultimate Day for Young Families and the Ultimate Day of Thrills. We opted to go with the Day of Thrills as it is geared more towards teens and adults in terms of rides on the tour. Both Ultimate Tours involve you and a group of other guests being led around the parks with a couple tour guides. These guides are very knowledgeable and friendly. Plus, they act as a fastpass for you to get on the rides. The tour lasts around 7 hours and it includes lunch along with special transportation between the parks.

At a price of $299 on top of a park-hopper ticket, the VIP Tour services are definitely not for the budget conscious. However, if you have only a limited time to enjoy the parks and want to make sure to hit up your favorite rides, then this is a great option. It’s also a good option if you are wanting to experience Disney World in a new way. It was fun to be led around by the tour guides who knew so much about the place. Plus, you get to go backstage to between parks. Oh, and you don’t have to stress about planning ahead of time.

We started our tour at Magic Kingdom. Our group rode Splash Mountain first thing. However, I didn’t want to get wet that early in the day. So, we sat that one out (yes, you are free to sit out rides by waiting in a gift shop or by the ride exit). We also sat out Space Mountain. We rode Haunted Mansion and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

The site linked above outlines a typical tour, but they do say that tours can change based on attraction availability. During our particular tour, Pirates of the Caribbean was down. So, we got to ride the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train twice to make up for it. I thought that was a nice trade-off.

After the Magic Kingdom, they whisked us away to Epcot where we enjoyed lunch at the Sunshine Seasons. Then, we got to ride Soarin and Test Track! Following our short trip to Epcot, we headed over to Hollywood Studios. There, we sat out the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. We also tried Toy Story Midway Mania for the first time and enjoyed Star Tours again.

All in all, it was a fun but busy day. The Disney World Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP Tour is perfect for someone wanting to make sure they get to experience all of these fun rides in one day or visit.

8 Tips for Going to Disney World Alone #DisneySMMC

July 12, 2016 By Lindsay Leave a Comment

Today, I’d like to share my own personal tips for going to Disney World alone. These tips come from having visited Disney Parks 5 times with another person and once by myself as an attendee of the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration in 2016.

Disclosure: I received discounted lodging, park tickets, meals and experiences as an attendee of the 2016 Disney Social Media Moms Celebration.

Tips for Going to Disney World Alone

When I told some people that I was going to Disney World by myself, they seemed surprised. While Disney is known for creating family entertainment, many may not consider the fact that attending a Disney Parks by yourself is actually just as awesome! I mean you can do whatever you want, whenever you want to at the Most Magical Place on Earth! How could you be sad?

So, here are my tips for going to Disney World alone:

Do a little research. This is YOUR trip. Research something that interests only you and then plan to do it.
Have a loose schedule. Book your FastPasses in advance and have an idea of what you want to accomplish on YOUR trip to Disney World alone. If you do # 1 and research and then # 2 to plan a little bit, you won’t have to walk around the park wasting your precious time alone.
Don’t be afraid. Going to Disney World alone means that you can ride that ride that no one else in your family wants to go on. It also means that no one is there to make fun of you or what you choose to do. Plus, I was pleasantly surprised to realize that most people don’t even seem to notice that you are alone. So, go ahead and do what makes you happy.
Go at your own pace. If you want to ride as many rides as you can, then go for it. If you’d like to take a slower pace and enjoy the scenery, then do that instead. Do what feels right.
Go off schedule. Have a loose schedule, but don’t feel like you have to stick to it… Unless you are in to that sort of thing. If a certain restaurant catches your eye or nose, check it out. If you see something you’ve never noticed or done before, then by all means do it now.
Enjoy the resort. Personally, one of my favorite parts of any trip alone is the time to relax alone. Disney has some of the best resorts to do this in. Jump in and enjoy that big comfy bed all by yourself!
Do something you wouldn’t normally do. This could include getting a spa treatment, trying a new dish, riding a different ride, anything. Just try stuff.
Enjoy! Enjoy being able to do whatever you want while you are at a Disney Park. Do a little or a lot. Just enjoy the trip!

I will admit that I had some reservations about going to Disney World alone. I was afraid that it would be weird or I wouldn’t know what to do. However, I had a blast! I loved being able to just roam around Magic Kingdom without keeping up with someone else. I liked being able to change my plans at a moment’s notice without having to discuss it with someone else. Visiting Disney World alone was freeing and exciting. I hope I can take another solo trip to a Disney Park someday.

Disney Social Media Moms 2016 Celebration #DisneySMMC

July 6, 2016 By Lindsay Leave a Comment

I still can’t believe it happened, but I was invited and attended the Disney Social Media Moms 2016 Celebration back in May. I never thought that I would be chosen for such an honor, but when that special invitation landed in my inbox one night, I signed up immediately to reserve my spot. Today, I’m finally ready to tell you all about the fun celebration I was able to experience.

Disclosure: I received discounted lodging, tickets, meals, and experiences while I attended the 2016 Disney Social Media Moms Celebration.

Disney Social Media Moms 2016

Shew! The Disney Social Media Moms 2016 Celebration was unlike any other conference or party I’ve attended. The Disney company treated me like a celebrity for the duration of my stay. I loved everything about this celebration! I could talk about the trip for days. If you follow me on Instagram or on other social media sites, then you also got to witness some of the awesomeness as I shared tons over the course of that weekend.

The fun began before I ever arrived at Walt Disney World when an adorable American Tourister Mickey Mouse suitcase arrived at my doorstep. I actually did a video review on it.

Arrival

I arrived late Wednesday night after working all day. I was very pleased with the Beach Club amentities I was given. I slept wonderfully. Then, on Thursday night I got to witness Animal Kingdom after dark! I loved the street parties and seeing the Tree of Life Awakenings.

Conference Day

On Friday, I was in Heaven! For this Disney fan, the “conference” portion of the event was absolutely thrilling! I got a chance to hear from the President of Walt Disney World Resort, George A. Kalogridis! I also got to hear from Theron Skees from Walt Disney Imagineering about the Re-Imagining of Downtown Disney into Disney Springs. Here’s a hint: he and the rest of the team have done an amazing job at Disney Springs.

I also was tickled to hear Mark Renfrow from Walt Disney Creative Entertainment about the upcoming Rivers of Light nighttime spectacular coming to Animal Kingdom. It sounds amazing! I look forward to seeing it on a future trip to the resort.

Disney surprised us by having us hear two movie producers speak about their films. I was elated to hear Suzanne Todd, the producer of “Alice Through the Looking Glass” speak about the movie. I loved her! Then, Lindsey Collins talked about and then introduced the first 33 minutes of “Finding Dory”! Wow! I have since gone to the theaters and seen the movie with my fiance. We loved it! It’s adorable and great for the whole family. It definitely made this special education teacher happy.

It was also amazing to finally see the friendly faces I’ve been following online for years in person. There was Erin Glover who is the Editorial Content Director for the Disney Parks blog and Jenn Fickley-Baker, the Editorial Content Manager for the blog. It was neat to learn about how things work at Disney Parks for posting content.

Last but certainly not least, we were entertained by the hosts Leanne Jakubowski O’Reagan (social media director) and Mark Daniel throughout the entire day.

Friday night, there was Donald’s Beach Bash held at Typhoon Lagoon with delicious treats and fireworks! It was like a private beach party for attendees and their families!

Ending

On Saturday, there was the fun run at Epcot and then a screening of “Alice Through the Looking Glass.” I enjoyed this movie having never seen the first movie. Then, we were free to enjoy the parks. I had to leave early Sunday and missed the wonderful Mother’s Day brunch they provided.

Closing Thoughts

As you can see, it’s hard to sum up this amazing trip I was able to experience. I urge you to look over my Instagram to get yourself a taste of it. Disney Parks knows how to treat guests (and bloggers). Everything about this event was first-class and I was spoiled rotten the entire time. It was truly a dream come true to attend the Disney Social Media Moms 2016 Celebration. I never thought I would be invited, but I am so glad I was chosen. I enjoyed every single aspect of this event. It’s definitely not just a conference. It’s a celebration of the Walt Disney Company and the spirit of families.

Thank you to the Disney Parks team and to the other sponsors for making this weekend possible. I won’t ever forget the Disney Social Media Moms 2016 Celebration.