Happily Ever After Dessert Party Review

I've been listening to the soundtrack to Happily Ever After a lot recently, so I thought it was about time I shared my review of the Happily Ever After Dessert Party! The Magic Kingdom replaced their long standing fireworks show "Wishes" with a new nighttime spectacular - "Happily Ever After" back in May. In October when I took my Disney trip, this new show was still incredibly popular, with guests standing shoulder to shoulder and filling the hub and Main Street from over an hour before show time.

I considered skipping the show that trip, because crazy crowd levels like that really get to me, but I wanted to see it so bad! When I heard there was a dessert party viewing option, I looked in to it and after thoughtful consideration, that was ultimately what we decided to do. This is my review! (You can click on any of my pictures to make them bigger).

There were two different times for the dessert party on the night we chose, which was a Wednesday night. We opted for the earlier time, which was 7:45pm and chose Plaza Garden viewing over Tomorrowland Terrace. I had read that while you can continue sitting at your dessert table with your food and drink during the fireworks on the terrace, the distance and angle of your viewing is not ideal. Plaza Garden had better reviews in terms of firework viewing, and it is also the cheaper of the two dessert party viewing locations.

I had heard that check in started an hour before, so we presented ourselves at Tomorrowland Terrace at 7:15pm. There was a short line when we arrived which soon got much longer. They started checking people in shortly after 7:15pm so we didn't have to wait long. I was glad we got there when we did so as not to be at the back of the long line.

The check in process was very formal, after the hostess crossed our names off the list, a waiter in a vest and bow tie came over and showed us to our table. The table was round with seats and had a tablecloth and small candle in the middle. He explained the various food options and said we could help ourselves to as much as we'd like. He then said that we could head over to the viewing area whenever we wanted, but we would need to see the hostess for an escort. Once we decided to leave he said we could not return to Tomorrowland Terrace. He recommended that we leave by 8:30pm because the fireworks started at 9pm.

By 7:30pm we were at our table getting our food. We took a look at all the delicious desserts and I tried most of the offerings, going back for seconds of some of my favorites. There were only a couple things that I disliked (I'm picky) but plenty that I loved! My favorites were the pineapple delight (it was almost a mini Dole Whip), the macaroons, and the strawberry tart. I thought they had a good selection including some healthier options like fruit and a selection of cheeses for a savory alternative. We got a couple of glasses of the sparkling apple cider which was delicious! This night was pretty chilly so I also got a hot chocolate which was included. I could also have gotten tea, coffee or lemonade.

At 8pm over half the guests had left, which I thought was a waste. I didn't want to rush the dessert portion of the evening because if I intended on waiting an hour outside for the fireworks, I could do that without the dessert party. It got pretty empty and we felt obligated to leave, but I wasn't really ready yet so we stayed. The staff were great at coming around and clearing used plates. There was also a PhotoPass photographer coming around with props taking pictures, so we flagged her down and got a good picture.

At 8:30pm We were done eating, made a stop at the restroom and then had the escort take us over to the plaza. That was very difficult! There were people EVERYWHERE and it was hard to just cross Main Street from Tomorrowland Terrace to the hub. Most people as you'd expect were right up against the railings of the hub, trying to get as close as possible. I didn't think it was necessary to squash in like that, there was so much space in our reserved area of the hub. Many people sat down and spread out while they waited. I thought the spot we were in was just fine.

The fireworks started and it was truly magical! Happily Ever After is incredible! We had a good view, a decent distance away, and central to the castle being in the hub. The music is beautiful, the projections are unbelievable and I love how the projections tied in to the fireworks! We also had a neat view of Tinkerbell when she came out at the end.

The only down side was that at times my view was obstructed by parents putting their kids on their shoulders in the section before our reserved viewing in the hub. There was nowhere for me to move at that point where those people with kids were not obstructing my view. That was a real bummer but I don't know how it could be avoided. Cast Members can't really walk around telling them not to and that could happen where ever I'm viewing, dessert party or not. Hopefully as the show gets more crowded, that will be less of an issue.

When the fireworks ended we still had to fight our way out of the Magic Kingdom. Words cannot describe that experience. I won't go into detail because this is a review of the party, but those crowd levels made me glad we opted for the dessert party for our first viewing. Am I glad we experienced this? Yes! It was perfect for our first Happily Ever After experience, the food was great, and it was a fun evening. Would I do it again? It depends. I wouldn't say no right off the bat, but I wouldn't go as far as to say "absolutely!" either. We did experience one more dessert party later in the trip that I preferred over this one, but that's comparatively speaking.

The dessert party is currently priced at $59 per adult for Plaza Garden viewing, or $79 per adult for Tomorrowland Terrace viewing. The food and drink are the same, the difference is simply the firework viewing area. If you are planning on or considering the Happily Ever After Dessert Party, I would definitely suggest checking in 30 minutes early, because if we had checked in at 7:45pm, I reckon we would have had just 30 minutes to enjoy the party which would have truly been a waste. It's much nicer to sit back and enjoy it (we had 1 hour) than to rush your food down and get outside.

I hope you enjoyed my review and that it helps you with your Disney vacation planning!

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party Review

(Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog)

Okay folks, I know Halloween was over months ago, but I really wanted to share my review of Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, and getting back from a trip right before the holidays has made this my first opportunity to share it.

We attended Mickey's Not So Scary on a Tuesday in October. I had heard that Tuesdays are not as busy as weekend parties, but that crowds increasingly pick up the closer it gets to Halloween itself. I thought the crowds were at a fair level the night we went. You couldn't park up right before the parade and get the best seat in the house, and the characters had some mighty long waits at times, but it was by no means unbearable.

I spent a lot of time deciding what I wanted to dress up as. Initially I decided on Lilo and planned to bring my Duffy bear dressed in his Stitch costume. (I posted about that here). However, I changed my mind at the last minute because I decided I had a better, more unique idea. I instead went as one of my favorite Disney characters - Figment! I don't regret that change at all.

This was our second MNSSHP, our first being 2 years prior in 2015. I did not plan effectively for our first party, and my husband got sick so we called it a night early without accomplishing anywhere close to everything I wanted to do. This time I planned and planned and planned, and while it felt stressful at the time trying to follow a rigid outline, and I panicked at times wondering if I should seize an opportunity and divert from the plan, it all worked out amazingly in the end.

We were already at the Magic Kingdom that day, something I had initially intended not to do, but it just worked out that way. We rented a locker and kept our party clothes there during the day. At 4pm we changed into our party clothes and got our wristbands in Town Square. We got our trick or treat bags and proceeded to Liberty Square to get in line for Jack and Sally. As we walked through Town Square I got a lot of compliments from Cast Members on my costume. One said, "Figment! So glad you could join us all the way from EPCOT!"

We saw Jack and Sally back in 2015 (and that's something I approached all wrong that year) so I thought about skipping them this time, but decided that with good planning we could meet them and not actually use any party time to do it.

We got in line at 4:40pm and there were already numerous people ahead of us. That didn't deter me, because it wasn't as bad as when we joined the line in 2015 and I figured we would still get done before the party started. Despite Cast Members continuously saying Jack and Sally would not be out until 7pm when the party started, they started greeting right on 5pm just like I suspected. By that time the line was out of Liberty Square and across the bridge into Adventureland.

The line moved at a good pace and even though we saw one cast change, we were done with our meet and greet by 6pm. Sure, we waited almost an hour and a half, but we had crossed something major off our list and still had an hour before the party! Jack and Sally were wonderful as always! They spent time talking to us and were so in character, sounding just like them and improvising marvelously. Sally was intrigued by my costume saying it was frightful that I had something eating my head. She also told me how to make some frog's breath for my husband's Halloween dinner.

Next we went to Fantasyland to see if any other characters were out early. They weren't yet but people were gathering for them and there was already a line for Minnie. We used that time to do our MNSSHP shopping in Big Top Souvenirs. I bought the women's 2017 MNSSHP t-shirt because I loved the fit, the design and the color, and I love collecting souvenirs to remind me of events I attended. At 6:45pm we were done with shopping and a Cast Member started a line for Donald and Daisy so we got in line. I was one of the first 5 people but I don't remember my exact place in line.

Donald and Daisy came out right on 7pm when the party started. Their line moved pretty quickly because at 7:05pm I was done. So again, I waited only 15 minutes but none of that was party time. Donald and Daisy were great and so cute in their Halloween outfits! Next we visited the trick or treat location in Fantasyland, housed in Pete's Silly Sideshow. We walked right through which was awesome but the party had only just started.

I aimed to eat all 4 Haunted Mansion desserts that were exclusive to the party that night, so we got started with the first one in Liberty Square. It was delicious! Then we ventured over to Tomorrowland because I wanted to meet Lotso! We stopped by the dance party for a bit because I didn't get to experience that last time we were at the party. It was really neat to see Mike and Sulley and they looked like they were having fun! We stayed there for a short while before moving on to Lotso's line at 7:50pm. I was impressed that not even an hour into the party we'd met two sets of characters, trick or treated, done our shopping, eaten a dessert, and danced with Mike and Sulley!

Lotso's line wasn't bad and took about 20 minutes to get through. I got there right on time though because the line got a whole lot longer after me! I enjoyed seeing other people's costumes while I was waiting. Behind me there was a group dressed as characters from the new IT movie and in front of me was the most inventive costume I saw the whole night - a girl dressed in a white tank top and khaki shorts, with a snorkeling mask on her head, leaves in her hair, dirt on her face, and a rubber tube around her waist that read "River Country". I wanted to ask if I could take her picture but she was buried in her phone the whole time so I didn't.

Lotso was mischievous and kept trying to take my hat! I've never seen him before and I loved every second of meeting him! I also loved the theming of his meet and greet area, it was perfect and made for an excellent picture. After meeting Lotso we went through the trick or treat location inside Stitch's Great Escape. I don't like that attraction so I don't ride it, but it was fun to walk through so I could see Skippy and SIR again. I guess that will have been for the last time :(

At 8:10pm we got in line for Space Mountain and I don't think we walked on but we didn't wait long. Maybe 10 minutes, which is something I love about MNSSHP! Arguably you should use the time doing things you can't do during the day, but it's great to get a few rides in because they're typically little to no wait during the party. I wanted to see the Cadaver Dans at 8:50pm because that was another thing we missed out on during our first party. We made our way to Frontierland to see them, stopping in Fantasyland on the way for the new Tangled PhotoPass.

The Tangled PhotoPass was something that I really wanted to do this trip. It was not necessary to do it during the party because it is available at night during regular park hours, however, we only had 1 night planned in the Magic Kingdom outside of the party so I wanted to make sure we didn't miss out. There was a line but I joined it because I really, really wanted to take this picture! We waited in line for about 25 minutes and during that the photographers changed once. Our photographer took great pictures but also took her time with us. She allowed us to take a picture of me and hubby, and also just me, each in a couple of different poses. The pictures were SO worth it!!! They came out beautifully and I'm obsessed!

The PhotoPass took longer than I thought so we had to hightail it over to Frontierland to see the Cadaver Dans. We asked a CM where they would start and he said in front of the Frontierland Trading Post so we hung out there. Sure enough they came out right in that spot moments later. They sang a Halloween themed song (that I wasn't familiar with) and then moved down the line of parade watchers singing more songs. At that point hubby and I split. He wanted something to eat and I wanted to get a good spot for the 9:15pm Boo To You parade, so he went to Pecos Bill's and I went in search of a good spot.

I found a decent spot to the right of the Liberty Bell. There were a couple of kids in front of me but that was fair, I was taller and could easily stand and get a great view of the parade with just 2 young boys in front of me. The Headless Horseman came out right on time and I'm pretty sure he had an accident somewhere along the way because immediately after he rode by I saw what looked like a clean up crew pass by with brooms and a trash can. The parade didn't start for another 10 minutes or so after the horseman rode, which adds to me feeling like there was an accident. No big deal. Boo To You started and it was fantastic as always! Hands down my favorite parade!

The parade ended at 9:40pm and hubby found me. We stopped for more candy at the trick or treat location inside The Enchanted Tiki Room. That is one of my favorite trick or treat locations! It is beautiful in there during the party! It has cool lighting and all of the animatronics move but don't make sounds. I've also never seen a line for that particular trick or treat location. We then got a second Haunted Mansion dessert from Aloha Isle. Each of the 4 desserts were sold at a different location which was challenging.

We figured it would be smart at that point to stake out a spot for HalloWishes. The hub was already packed but we found a decent spot on the edge of the hub closest to Adventureland. There was a little obstruction in my view from some trees, but it was decent. HalloWishes is fun and I'm glad we got to see it again. After HalloWishes I realized there was just not enough time left to do everything I wanted to. We had an hour and a half left so I had to start being picky. We didn't get to ride the Haunted Mansion at the first party and it was on my list for this party so that's the next thing we chose to do.

It was fun to ride the Haunted Mansion during the party and the Cast Members had extra makeup and cobwebs which was awesome, but I wouldn't say this is a party must-do. Glad we did it though since we hadn't before. We waited only 10-15 minutes for it but at other times during the night I saw a posted wait of 30 minutes. I really wanted to meet Pooh and the gang in their Halloween outfits so after The Haunted Mansion we went back to Fantasyland. We got there at 10:50pm and the line looked bad. The Cast Members said the wait was an hour but I really wanted to cross this off my list so I joined the line, fully preparing myself to miss the second parade and have this be the last thing I did for the night.

Thankfully, I waited only 30 minutes which was really not bad at all. The characters were super fun, so adorable, and I got hugs from all of them! Earlier in the night I had seen the Haunted Mansion PhotoPass, which was exclusive to the party, and I really wanted to take a picture there. The line was always long so I opted to do other things instead. Figuring that it was too late at this point to catch Boo To You again (it was 11:20pm) we ran back over to Liberty Square for the Haunted Mansion PhotoPass to make that last on the agenda for the night, stopping by the trick or treat location inside Mickey's PhilharMagic on the way. There was 1 person getting their picture taken at the time we arrived, and no line, so we jumped right in and got some fun pictures!

Once again luck was on my side and since the PhotoPass only took 5 minutes when I thought we'd be in line the rest of the night, I had the idea that we should hightail it down to Main Street to catch the second parade. That's what we did and we made it to Main Street at 11:40pm and got a spot right on the curb! Although the second showing of Boo To You started at 11:15pm (in Frontierland), we were so far down Main Street that we saw the whole thing from the start! I was beyond thrilled that just when I thought I wasn't going to get to see my favorite parade again, I did!

Hubby told me to tell him when the parade was about half way through so he could grab everything from the locker and not fight the crowds leaving after the parade, so that's what he did. We regrouped at the exit right after Vanellope Von Schweetz came by. We left the Magic Kingdom after a wonderful Halloween Party that exceeded my expectations, and stopped for one last PhotoPass so we could get the Headless Horseman magic shot.

There is never enough time to do everything you want to do in one party. If I could I would totally go for 2 nights on Halloween season! I'm still thankful for everything we did accomplish in one night. Here's a list of the other things I wanted to do but didn't have time for:

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad - it's so much fun in the dark and back in 2015 they had creepy projections on the mountain which was cool. 
• The other 2 Haunted Mansion desserts - they were sold at Storybook Treats and Auntie Gravity's respectively. We just didn't have the time to keep going back and forth in different directions to get all 4 desserts. I don't know why they didn't sell them all in once place, if they did we would have been able to get them all. 
• A couple more trick or treat stations - the Jungle Cruise location looks like fun but we didn't make it over there. I would like to see it in person and not just in pictures on blog posts
• Mickey in his Halloween costume - I thought I would have time for this right before the second parade but I didn't. 
• Lady Carlotta - This is a character that sits on the lawn outside the Haunted Mansion. I don't know why but in all the times we walked by I never saw her out there.
• Pictures with the MNSSHP pumpkins - we ran out of time for this too.

I had an incredible time at Mickey's Not So Scary last year and would go over and over again! I am thrilled that we had some good luck, dry weather, and that I accomplished many of my must-do's thanks to good planning ahead of time. If you want to make the most of your party time when you attend, planning is key! And to avoid disappointment, definitely accept that you can't do everything ad prioritize what you do want to do. 

Decompressing the 2017 D23 Expo

(Photo Credit: The Disney Parks Blog)

Now that some time has passed since this year's D23 Expo, I wanted to sit down and get my thoughts out there. First off, I'd like to note that I did not attend the Expo, and all of the information I have is from live reporting by the Disney Parks Blog. In this post I will be talking solely about my feelings toward the Walt Disney World park announcements.

It's been a lot to digest but I'll start by summarizing my thoughts. I think Disney is moving in the right direction for sure because I feel like Disney have been resting on their laurels while Universal Orlando has been whipping their butt. Sad but true. However, I'm not all gung-ho about every single thing Disney announced at the Expo.

TRON Coaster Concept Art

(Photo Credit: The Disney Parks Blog)

Let's start with the positive. At the Magic Kingdom, I am super excited about the official announcement of the rumored TRON coaster! The moment I saw YouTube video of the TRON Coaster in Shanghai I was blown away and wished it would come to Walt Disney World. When Test Track changed after the loss of GM's sponsorship, there were rumors it would become something TRON and I really hoped it would happen. I love the TRON franchise and based on what Disney did in Shanghai, I know it can be an incredible attraction!

I'm also thrilled that we're not losing a ride in order to make way for this new attraction. While some rides need to be replaced (and I would have gladly sacrificed the Tomorrowland Speedway for TRON) sometimes it's also necessary to create entirely new rides, especially if a park is lacking attractions. I do however have one reservation here and that is the concept art looks like this new addition will make Tomorrowland kinda cramped. I hope that is not the case and maybe I'm just looking at the artwork all wrong. The addition of Harry Potter over at Universal's Islands of Adventure has made for some very narrow guest walkways and it gets so congested I don't even want to bother sometimes. Hopefully that won't be the case here.

(Photo Credit: The Disney Parks Blog)

Moving on to Disney's Hollywood Studios now. Of course as a Star Wars fanatic I'm excited for the opening of Star Wars land in 2019! It now has an official name Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and the model that was unveiled at D23 just blows my mind. I am at this stage skeptical that it will be finished on time because that's looking like an impressive feat and videos I've seen of current construction at Hollywood Studios really don't look like much is going on and we're only 2 years out. Hoping for now Animal Kingdom-esq delays here.

The hotel accompanying Star Wars land that was also announced at D23 sounds very impressive and immersive and I know already that I'd love to stay there, but based on what it offers and the fact that Disney's recent additions (Copper Creek and the Polynesian Bungalows) are out of reach for 95% of people, I'm thinking this hotel is going to be an extortionate price and I will never get to stay there in my life time.

Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway Concept Art

(Photo Credit: The Disney Parks Blog)

Moving on to the things I'm kinda bummed about... Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway will be replacing The Great Movie Ride at Hollywood Studios. As much as I love and adore The Great Movie Ride and I always will, I know it needed updating. While people like me appreciate classic films, that doesn't appeal to every Disney park goer and I know that. However, I don't like that modern Mickey cartoons are the replacement. I love the old, classic Hollywood feel of Hollywood Studios and I hope for that to always be around. The new Mickey cartoons don't fit with that.

I don't hate the whole concept, I just would have preferred to see maybe a progression of Walt's work from Steamboat Willie to present or something like that. I think that would have kept in line with Hollywood Studios better. I'm also sad to lose the Cast Member interaction because I think only the Jungle Cruise is left now in that respect. I hope this attraction is done well and I will end up loving it despite the fact that instead of looking goofy, in these new cartoons our beloved Goofy looks like a stoner hobo.

We also got a few more details on Toy Story Land. We will receive two new attractions: Slinky Dog Dash, a family coaster, and Alien Swirling Saucers. Toy Story Land will open next summer.

Guardians of the Galaxy Concept Art

(Photo Credit: The Disney Parks Blog)

Now let's talk about Epcot. I'm really not sure how I feel about Guardians of the Galaxy replacing Ellen's Energy Adventure. Again, I know that was a dated attraction although not irrelevant with Ellen Degeneres being more popular than ever, and Jamie Lee Curtis and Bill Nye still being big names. However, I liked the more adult nature of Epcot and how Future World looked into the future both imaginatively and realistically. Replacing an important topic with fictional characters in fictional space - I just don't know.

I'm sure the ride will be very well done and don't get me wrong, I LOVE the Guardians! I'm just not sure this fits. I guess I should count my blessings and be thankful that my beautiful Tower of Terror is still standing. (Oh Mickey I hope I didn't jinx that!) I also don't know how it's even possible to have a Guardians ride in Epcot when Universal own the theme park rights to Marvel in Florida. I guess that deal must have excluded the Guardians property for some reason.

Mission: SPACE Restaurant Concept Art

(Photo Credit: The Disney Parks Blog)

Back to the positive, I think the upcoming Mission: SPACE restaurant looks and sounds really awesome! I know some people aren't huge fans of the ride, but come one, who doesn't want to eat dinner like they're on a space station?! You can imagine you're in any one of your favorite space movies, looking out at Earth (or even Star Trek) but with better food than space food.

(Photo Credit: The Disney Parks Blog)

Over in the France pavilion we will have a Ratatouille ride before 2021 much like the same attraction in Disneyland Paris. I think this ride will be really cute and I've heard great things about the attraction in Paris. Disney did not say if anything would need to close to make way for this new addition and I hope we don't lose any of the French eateries or stores in that pavilion because that would really be a shame to lose a taste of France for an animated film.

I have no issue with Ratatouille being added because it takes place in actual France and thus will be at home in the pavilion. Unlike Frozen, while inspired by Norway takes place in a fictional place that does not accurately resemble Norway and has removed an attraction reflecting authentic Norwegian places and culture for something make believe. I also think it doesn't hurt to add more rides at Epcot as long as the authentic country experience is quashed.

The Minnie Van Fleet

(Photo Credit: The Disney Parks Blog)

Disney also announced "Minnie Vans" will be coming to Walt Disney World. They begin operating this month from just three resorts  but will soon be rolled out property wide. Transportation will initially cost $20 per trip, regardless of how many are in your party or where on property you want to go. I have no issue with this at all, in fact I think it's great that they are continuing their free transportation but if you do need something faster, you can use the Minnie Van. Plus how cute are the cars?!

This service had been rumored for a while and is aimed at taking business away from Uber and Lyft while guests are on property. That's okay with me because I don't mind giving Disney money for a service like this that I may actually need and can choose whether or not I use. Plus I trust Disney more than a random Uber driver. I've used Uber and the service was good, the driver was nice, the car was clean, but I would never use Uber when traveling alone. I know there's background checks but that's not foolproof and stranger danger! I digress...

This service can be used easily with an app and I would assume therefore that the same benefits or not needing cash or a card when using Uber will apply to the Minnie Van. I think $20 isn't bad, especially if you're a family, and it's easier than differing prices per destination. But if Disney really wants Uber's business, they'll need to keep an eye on their prices and not get greedy and increase too steeply too quickly, or guests will choose Uber.

Disney Skyliner Concept Art

(Photo Credit: The Disney Parks Blog)

And finally, the Disney Skyliner. This is a gondola system much like the now extinct Skyway in the Magic Kingdom. The Disney Skyliner will transport guests from the Art of Animation, Pop Century, and Caribbean Beach Resorts to Disney's Hollywood Studios and Epcot. My issues with this are: 1) this is super old technology to be implementing in 2017, 2) they had a skyway back in the day that they removed for some reason, why is that reason not an issue now? 3) I think this transportation, while fun for some, will be painfully slow in terms of the journey and embarking and disembarking, 4) While the cars themselves will look cute, I think all the cables and pylons will make Walt Disney World overall look very messy, and 5) I have safety concerns with this ride.

Toy Story Land Concept Art

(Photo Credit: The Disney Parks Blog)

My biggest disappointment overall is the short notice Disney gives when they close an attraction. It was announced that the replacements for Ellen's Energy Adventure and The Great Movie Ride will not be complete until 2021 - that's 4 years away. What's the rush to close both in less than 30 days? It would take the sting away (because even if you want the replacements, some people like myself will still miss the originals) if guests had the chance to experience their beloved attractions one last time. My trip is 3 months away but I will be two months to late to catch Ellen and The Great Movie Ride one last time. Only 29  days notice was given before the closing date. I'll be even more annoyed if they sit there dormant for ages like the Backlot Tour did for about a whole year after it closed.

My final thoughts here are about Disney vs. Universal. Many people cried out that Universal should be scared because of Disney's D23 announcements. Hardly. Universal already have the upperhand with the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. These announcements are just Disney catching up. We won't see any of these new additions until next summer, when there will be two new Toy Story rides. By that time, Universal will be close to unveiling their Fast and the Furious ride.

Yes, Star Wars land will draw a ton of people to Disney two years from now, but Harry Potter is still a huge draw, with rumors of more expansions. Even if there aren't any further Harry Potter expansions, Nintendoland is also in the works for Universal. It's great to have healthy theme park competition and I'm not vouching for one over the other here, I juts think the news out of D23 is still not enough to claim Disney has left Universal in the dust.

This has been a long article and I thank you for reading! Feel free to share any comments that you have!

I'm Missing Disney's Old Key West Resort...

(Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog)

(Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog)

How can you not love Disney's Old Key West Resort? The beautiful views of the golf course and the lake, the peaceful balconies, the relaxing beach theme... that's why we love our home resort - Disney's Old Key West! I am missing it a lot right now.

Happy National Roller Coaster Day!

Disney After Dark - The Universe of Energy

(Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog)

Disney After Dark - Spaceship Earth

(Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog)

Days of Disney Past - Food Rocks

Food Rocks was one of my favorite shows at Walt Disney World! I love Soarin' but I'm still sad that Food Rocks has gone. Thankfully I can still listen to their awesome hits on sites like D-COT and YouTube. In memory of that great show, here are a couple of pictures to reminisce, from the Disney Parks Blog:

The Excess

The Get To The Point Sisters

I can still remember all the words from The Peach Boys, Neil Moussaka, Chubby Cheddar, The Refrigerator Police, Pita Gabriel, and Fud Wrapper. 

Days of Disney Past

The Disney Parks Blog recently shared a memory from days of Disney past that really resonated with me. It was a picture of The Hunchback of Notre Dame stage show that ran from 1996 to 2002 at the Disney-MGM Studios.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame quickly became one of my favorite movies as a child. I remember having an Esmarelda doll, a Quasimodo plush toy, a glittery lunchbox I took to school, Djali socks, a computer game, and I even got a Hunchback of Notre Dame Easter egg! Needless to say, this was one of my all-time favorite Disney shows! I wish it was still on. The acting, singing, dancing and production was fantastic! They really engaged the audience and the set was brightly colored and fun, changing scenery throughout like other Disney shows do. I'm thankful that in the show's absence, I can re-live it through home movies and YouTube videos. Leave me a comment if you remember this show!

New Merchandise Debuts at the Tower of Terror

I recently posted a preview of the upcoming merchandise at the Tower of Terror. Now it has arrived at Walt Disney World! Here are some pictures of the new offerings at Tower Hotel Gifts taken from The Disney Parks Blog:

Luggage tags

Logo t-shirts and baseball caps

Tower of Terror Jenga!

Perfect bag for traveling! And some 1920's themes jewelry

And of course the bells! 

I am pretty excited to pick up some of this merchandise on my next Disney trip!

New Disney Starbucks Mugs

As of today you can now purchase a Starbucks mug for each of the four Walt Disney World theme parks. The mugs are a continuation of the "You Are Here" collection (from which I have the Los Angeles mug) and are available only at the each park respectively. EPCOT is probably my least favorite of the four, but I love them and hope to buy them all on my trip later this year! Each mug retails for $14.95