Like many companies, Disney has had to shift to accommodate the pressures and demands of the pandemic (and a post-pandemic era) – and has made some controversial decisions that have drawn considerable criticisms, especially as some of these changes dramatically affect the Disney parks experience.

Planning a trip to the parks in 2022 looks very different than it did just 2 years ago before all of this started. FastPass+ is gone, you need tickets AND park reservations to visit, the Dining Plan is still absent, etc…

However, none of these changes means that your trip will be any less magical – it just means that you need to learn these new systems and be prepared.

There are also some fun and completely new additions to the parks for 2022 (from rides to the much-anticipated Star Wars Hotel).

Below, we go into each of these changes in-depth but we encourage all guests to pack their facial coverings along with back-up portable phone chargers, as you will need your phone to be fully charged now more than ever at the parks. 

Truly, it’s been a long time since Disney has been a spontaneous “show up and have fun” experience. FastPass+ and Advanced Dining Reservations – along with increased park attendance – have slowly changed the culture of a Disney vacation. For the past several years, the average Disney vacation must be planned several months in advance in order to “experience the magic.”

While we aren’t going to pretend that all of these changes are for the better, many Disney regulars (ourselves included) hope that some of the changes happening in 2022 will allow for more spontaneity and return to a simpler time when you didn’t need to be on the phone (or app) 6 months in advance to ensure the vacation of your family’s dreams.

Magical Express Has Been Terminated with No Plan to Return

Magical Express was a perk of staying at Disney resorts that has been permanently cancelled with no plans of returning. It was a free shuttle bus between the airport and your resort, complete with luggage transfers and Disney Resort commercials playing on the TVs.

Despite being a free perk for on-property guests, it always came with long line-ups and we experienced issues with the airport staff verifying our resort reservations more than once (leading to even longer wait times) – so while this was a “free perk,” it wasn’t without its issues.

Even when we were eligible for Magical Express, our family still often opted for a taxi or Uber/Lyft to our resort so we could skip the lines and not have to deal with the issues of shared transportation after a long day of travel.

For those still seeking inexpensive shuttle bus options, Mears offers several shuttle buses to Disney resorts throughout the day, however depending on your party size you may find that taxis or ride share services better suit your needs.

Disney Dining Plan is Suspended

The Disney Dining Plan is great for those who like to pre-pay for an all-inclusive vacation experience and not have additional charges throughout. However, it is a hotly debated topic of whether the DDP actually saves anyone money (except if you are booking during one of the increasingly rare “free Dining Plan” periods) – it really depends on how you use your credits to determine if you actually save money.

We don’t expect the Disney Dining Plan to return before late 2022 – it may return in time for the Epcot Food and Wine Festival in October, but it may not. At the current time of writing, there is no reason to suspect that this will not return – however, we are not sure what the new dining plans will look like.

In the meantime, plan to have all of your meals charged to your room or bring an alternative payment method (many of the parks’ card readers have options for contactless pay like Apple Pay and tap chip readers, in addition to accepting major credit cards and there are ABMs throughout the parks).

You can save money by having kids share adult-sized meals, opting for some of the filling “snack options” instead of meals, and of course, packing a few snacks in your backpack or soft-sided cooler before you head to the parks.

Mask Requirements

This is a hotly debated topic, but as of now, masks are not required for vaccinated park guests except for on shared transportation.

Unvaccinated guests are “expected” to wear double-layer facial coverings (“neck gaiters, open-chin, triangle bandanas and face coverings containing valves, mesh material or holes of any kind are not acceptable face coverings”) during indoor experiences including dining and rides – however, Disney has not disclosed how they are ensuring that unvaccinated guests are complying with these expectations.

(I would caution unvaccinated guests from attempting to circumvent the system by removing their masks after entry. If you are unvaccinated and unhappy with the requirements, you are better off waiting until the requirements are removed rather than risking visiting the parks and breaking the rules, as they can tag/track your ticket/magic band and remove you – and the rest of your party – from the park.)

FastPass+ Replaced with Genie/Genie+

Genie(+) is a completely different system from FastPass+ – it is better to just understand that FastPass+ no longer exists.

All park guests can now book one “lightning lane” pass at 7am that gets them into the, um, “faster” line for a single attraction.

Guests that opt to pay for Genie+ can continue booking “lightning lane” access to 40+ attractions across the parks throughout the day, but these reservations must be made one at a time.

There are also “Individual Attraction Selections” that guests can purchase “lightning lane” passes to. These rides are some of the most “hot ticket” rides in the parks (such as Rise of the Resistance, Seven Dwarves Mine Train, etc) and the cost per ride can reach $15, as the prices fluctuate based on the day and ride.

While a lot of people are upset about this change, personally, I’m hoping that this change makes stand-by lines move faster as less people will have fastpasses for any given ride.

You Need Park Reservations – Not Just Tickets

Before, you could simply visit any park you wished as long as you had a valid WDW park ticket – and if you had a park hopper, you could visit as many of the parks as you wished during any day during your vacation. You could simply show up with tickets purchased months in advance and just get in.

This is not currently the case. If you want to attend ANY park, you need a specific park day reservation. Park hoppers are now available again – however, you cannot “hop” until after 2pm and you need reservations for both parks in place.

For many of us, we have our vacations planned out already so this is just an extra step of letting Disney know what our plans are.. for some of us, this is a huge hassle and a let-down if you had park hoppers – especially if you like to make your plans as you go.

Modified Character Meetings and Character Dinings

Currently, children can no longer embrace and interact with characters in the same way that they have in the past.

Ropes and clear, plastic barriers are set up to allow characters to interact with guests, while character cavalcades and “pop up” character meet-and-greets have replaced traditional experiences.

For younger guests, this change isn’t a huge shift from the world that they are growing up in – however, older guests may find this shift upsetting. Socially distanced selfies and no autographs are the current norm, however this should shift later this year.

Most character dining experiences are currently halted, however a few resort character meals are still happening.

Mobile Ordering for Quick Service

Pre-pandemic, a lot of Disney’s quick service restaurants had the option for mobile ordering – now, it’s basically a requirement.

While a few quick service restaurants still allow for walk-up ordering, many only accept mobile ordering.

While in line for your last ride before a meal, pull up the menu for your quick service restaurant and make your selections. Once you’re off the ride, you can simply walk up and collect your meal – with no lines or wait times.

Extra Magic Hours Replaced by Early Morning Entry/Extended Evening Hours

Previously, Extra Magic Hours would allow guests of on-property and select off-property (typically Good Neighbor) resorts access to select parks for a couple extra hours each day.

Now, all on-property and select off-property guests can access ALL theme parks 30 minutes in advance to park openings.

Extended Evening Hours are currently only available to Deluxe/Villa guests at a couple of parks throughout the week.

This now means that off-property guests that do not have access to Early Morning Hours can no longer “rope drop” – and it further differentiates the perks between staying at Moderate Disney Hotels vs Deluxe Disney Hotels.

Magicband Changes

Magic bands are no longer a free perk of staying on-property, however, all of the functionality of the magic bands have been replaced with your smart phones or other smart devices (like Apple Watches, etc).

Personally, as a mom to a pre-teen, I will still bring a magic band from a previous trip to the parks with us so that my daughter can charge snacks or access our room using her magic band when she wants to be independent, but for parents of younger kids, this is one less thing for our kids to lose or complain about. It was such a pain to have my sensory-sensitive 4 year old wear a magic band – it will be so much easier to just scan my whole family in using my phone.

You can still buy magic bands for your family, if desired, but honestly, the only time I found magic bands beneficial were on pool days or when we were at the water parks – unless you have teens or preteens.

New Magic Bands (that haven’t been launched yet as of this writing) will come with new in-park perks, however they will be at-cost so you will have to determine if the cost of the new bands is worth the potential perks.

Hey Disney! Room Assistants

Rather than calling down to the front desk, guests at on-property resorts will be able to request in-room amenities, check on the weather, set timers and alarms, and even interact with characters using an Alexa-like device installed in their rooms.

New 2022 Disney Rides

While Remy’s Ratatouille Aventure debuted in 2021, many guests weren’t yet travelling to the park so they didn’t get to experience this Toy Story Mania-esque ride, so it can be considered a new addition to many.

However, completely new rides for the year include Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and TRON: LightCycle Run, as well as several Moana-themed attractions including a walk-through experience at Epcot and possibly a restaurant (stay tuned).

Firework Show Changes

I still tear up when I watch our family’s recording of Happily Ever After, the Magic Kingdom fireworks show that preceded the current Disney Enchantment. 

Happily Ever After was such a beautiful and well-orchestrated show and while Disney’s Enchantment has some unique qualities of its own (especially how the fireworks show lights up the buildings down Main Street) this change does make me sad for families that didn’t get to experience Happily Ever After because it was such a beautiful display.

However, every Disney World lover must learn to accept change and never more so than now. Happily Ever After is gone and those of us who were able to experience it in person need to just treasure those memories and make way for new ones.

One fireworks show change we are excited about is Harmonious. Epcot Forever has been a placeholder for the past two years as Epcot transitioned from Illuminations to Harmonious, and it’s definitely well worth the wait.

Star Wars Hotel Opening

The maiden voyage of the Galatic Starcruiser Halycon took place on March 1st.

This 2 day immersive experience is not your typical hotel stay and comes with a hefty price tag – but for Star Wars fans who have eagerly anticipated the opening for the past few years, it is up for debate if the cost is justified.

I hope this post helps explain and give you a decent head’s up on all of the changes – both exciting and disappointing – that have come to the parks in the last couple years and will be coming this year.

As always, the most important thing to bring with you on a Walt Disney World vacation is a positive attitude. If you decide to head to the parks, you may not love all of the changes, but at least you can be prepared and choose to have a positive attitude while you encounter them. Slow down, experience the magic (there’s still plenty remaining) and enjoy your vacation and the time with those you are travelling with.

If you’re wanting more tips and the latest news, head over to our Facebook page! In addition to that positive attitude, here are some other things you may want to consider bringing with you on your next Disney World vacation.

The post What to Expect at DisneyWorld in 2022 appeared first on WaltExpress.com.

Magic Carpet Poptarts Recipe

Disney Movie Nights are a family tradition in our home.

Typically, we pick the movie at the beginning of the week and brainstorm the menu as a family. We think of foods mentioned or shown in the movie, discuss if the movie has cultural influences that could also be used to influence our menu and also talk about natural tie-ins (like a monkeybread for Abu the monkey, etc).

I’ve always used these movie nights as a way to introduce new foods and flavors, but I tend to stick to one “new” recipe and round out the rest of the menu with fun twists on foods that I already know my family is going to love. It helps make the new food a little less intimidating and also makes it a little less daunting for me in the kitchen than if I was to risk preparing a full menu that the whole family might snub.

For our family’s Aladdin movie night, we decided to make:

• a Watermelon Salad with apples, pistachios and feta – watermelon, pistachios and apples are all mentioned in the movie so we created an Aladdin-themed twist on a watermelon-feta salad with a honey-based dressing
• Chicken Shawarma Bowls – I’ve made chicken shawarma a few times, but always without the traditional “accompaniments” like pickles, picked turnips, tomatoes, etc. My daughter in particular is very picky when it comes to pickled vegetables so this was a fun way to present them in a low-stress atmosphere. She could try them, or not (for REALLY picky eaters, you can use a segmented plate)
• a duo of Aladdin-themed drinks: Genie’s cotton candy punch and Jafar’s pomegranate ginger ale
• and finally, two desserts: homemade Baklava and Magic Carpet Poptarts

Usually, we have a craft or fun activity for our movie nights (since the movie only takes up about an hour and a half of the night) but instead of a craft, I thought it would be fun to let the kids make their own Magic Carpets Poptarts!

We made a very simple two-ingredient homemade poptart together and after they were cooled down, we made frosting and pulled out the sprinkles and the kids decorated their own individual tarts to look like Magic Carpets!

Ella decided to pull up a Google image of the magic carpet to ensure her tart was decorated “properly” – but everyone had fun and I think they all turned out pretty cute!

How to Make Magic Carpet Poptarts

1. Make your poptarts using pre-made pie crust dough and a favorite jam
2. Crimp the edges of the tarts using a fork – this prevents the jam from leaking out and also gives it the impression of a carpet “fringe”
3. Bake the poptarts as you prepare purple and blue icing with powdered sugar, cream and vanilla extract to decorate your poptarts
4. Allow the poptarts to cool before decorating
5. Decorate the poptarts with the prepared frosting, using toothpicks for the intricate details
6. Add gold sprinkle embellishments, as desired

Pin this Easy Aladdin Dessert Recipe for Your Next Family Movie Night:

Grab your free printable recipe card to make our Magic Carpet Poptarts at home with your family:

Yield: 6-7 Servings

Magic Carpet Poptarts

Print

A fun Disney-inspired dessert perfect for an Aladdin Movie Night, these Magic Carpet Poptarts are a cute dessert for kids to make and decorate.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Additional Time 15 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

• Prepared Pie Dough
• 1/3 cup Strawberry Jam
• Powdered Icing Sugar
• 3-5 Tablespoons Table Cream, as needed
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• Purple and Blue Food Dye, as desired
• Gold Sprinkles, as desired

Instructions

1. On a clean cutting board or floured surface, roll out the pie crust doughs.

1. Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to cut the dough into approximately 2.5" by 4" rectangles.
2. Try to match up approximate pairs of the cut-up pie dough rectangles.
3. Place one of each of the pairs' rectangles on a greased cookie sheet. These are the "bottoms" of the poptarts.
4. Spread 1 Tablespoon of jam down the middle of each of the poptart bottoms, avoiding about 1/2" around the edges.
5. Place the matching/top poptart squares over the bottom poptart squares and gently create a seal around the jam filling by pressing the pie dough together.
6. Use a fork to crimp the edges of the poptarts, which also creates a "fringe" for the magic carpets.
7. Bake at 350F for 15-18 minutes.

To Decorate the Poptarts

1. Allow the poptarts to cool completely before frosting.
2. For the frosting, whisk together the powdered/confectioner's sugar, cream and vanilla extract.
3. Scoop 1/3 of the frosting into a separate bowl.
4. Dye the main bowl of frosting purple and dye the smaller bowl of frosting blue.
5. Spread the purple frosting onto the cooled poptarts using an off set spatula or butter knife.
6. Use a toothpick to add details with the blue frosting.
7. Garnish with gold sprinkles, as desired.
8. Allow frosting to set/dry completely for 10 minutes before storing or serving.

This is a great dessert to make with the kids – whether you’re making it as part of a Disney movie night or as a fun Aladdin party activity. And I don’t think any kid would object to one of these cute tarts making their way into their lunchboxes!

The post Magic Carpet Poptarts appeared first on WaltExpress.com.

Today, I am so pumped to share a fun DIY Disney Floral Ear tutorial from my friend, Carrie.

Grab your craft supplies and then craft along with her video as she shows you how easy it is make your very own custom DIY Disney floral ears – even if you don’t think you’re very crafty! These are super cute to wear whenever you’re feeling fancy, but also perfect for the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival. Can’t you just imagine posing amongst the Mickey topiaries in these? 

DIY Disney Floral Ears

Are you as obsessed as much as I am with the new trends of Disney floral ears? As I spend hours pining over Etsy and feeling like I could easily be on an edition of Hoarders: Disney Ear Edition, I finally broke down and decided to make my own.

After all, there’s no need to go broke just because you, like me, MUST have every variation of floral ears there is in existence.

Floral Ears Supply List

Thankfully, making your own ears is fairly simple. All you need are a few basic supplies:

• Thick Headband – You can use one you have already, or grab two for $1 at Dollar Tree! Of course, they can be found almost anywhere including Amazon too.
• Bendable Wire – You’ll need 4 pieces of this. It can be any color you’d like. I use floral wire, which can be easily found at any craft store.
• Wire Cutters – Take it from me, you’ll need these! Scissors won’t really work with cutting wire, especially if you bought a thicker wire.
• Fake Flowers – You can get these anywhere. I suggest a few different colors and not too large ones!)
• Hot Glue and Hot Glue Gun

Steps to DIY Disney Floral Ears

1. Grab two pieces of wire and hold them together with ends aligned. Then, twist them together from one end to the other.
2. Cut the wire down to about inches – this is your first ear.
3. Then, repeat with another 2 pieces of wire. 
4. Bend each twisted wire over the top of your headband…this will form the rough shape of your mouse ear.
5. The easiest way I’ve found to do this is to hot glue one end of the twisted wire at a time to your headband. Make sure to leave a space in the middle of the ears that’s about 2″ wide.
6. Then, glue all remaining ends of the ears onto the headband. Don’t worry about what the glue looks like…it will be covered by the flowers!
7. Speaking of, now it’s time to add those pretty florals! Pop off the tops of your faux flowers. Make sure to pull or cut off some of the greenery as well.
8. Next, use glue to add the green leaves to the middle of your ears. I also recommend adding some around the base of the wire.
9. Now it’s time to add the flowers. Pro tip: before gluing, arrange your flowers on your headband first. Once you’re happy with how they look, then go for the glue.
10. Check the back of your headband too. You may want to glue in leaves to cover any exposed pieces. You can even add flowers on both sides so you can make a reversible set of DIY Disney Floral Ears
11. Want to take it up a notch? Add in a mini figurine if you would like to create a theme to your DIY Disney Floral Ears!

Thank you for crafting with me and let us know if there are any crafts you would like to see in upcoming blogs! See you in the parks!

For more amazing Disney information, head over to Disney Express Lane. Take a peek at these Four Things I Will Never Do At Disney Again. Plus, make sure to check out these 7 Disney-Inspired Crafts!

Yield: 1 headband

DIY Disney Floral Ears

Print

This DIY Disney floral ears project is the cutest! Learn how to craft one up for yourself.

Active Time 30 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Materials

• Thick headband
• Bendable wire (such as floral wire)
• Fake flowers
• Hot glue

Tools

• Wire cutters
• Glue gun

Instructions

1. Take two pieces of wire and twist together from one end to the other.
2. Cut wire to ~8 inches
3. Repeat with other 2 pieces of wire. Twist and cut.
4. Bend your wire over the top of your headband to form the rough shape of your mouse ear.
5. Hot glue one end of the twisted wire at a time to your headband leaving a space in the middle of the ears 2-3 fingers wide.
6. Glue all remaining ends of ears onto headband.
7. Pop off the tops of your fake flowers and take the greenery off as well.
8. Use glue to adhere green leaves (on their side) to the middle of your ears, followed by some around each base of the wire.
9. Before gluing, arrange your flowers on your headband and when you are happy with the desired look, glue them in.
10. Go to the back of your headband and glue in leaves to cover all of the "behind the scenes" glued in pieces. OPTIONAL: You may add flowers on both sides if you want a reversible set of DIY Disney Floral Ears!
11. Glue in any sprigs or extra pieces to add depth to your new ears.
12. OPTIONAL: Add in a mini figurine if you would like to create a theme to your DIY Disney Floral Ears!

The post How to Make DIY Disney Floral Ears! appeared first on WaltExpress.com.

We are going to break it down for you and talk about if it’s really that hot and humid in Florida, including some tips on how to avoid letting the extreme heat ruin your vacation.

Is It Hot In Disney World?

“Let’s just say that Hades himself is standing at the entrance to Florida!” This is actually my friend’s favorite quote about when asked about Disney World! He wants to make sure everyone knows what they are getting themselves into before traveling to Florida.

We joke about this, but it can be very serious if you have never been and never felt it for yourself.

The Humidity at Disney

Summers in the deep south equal HOT AND HUMID. Humidity is not the same as dry heat – it’s seriously like walking into a hot, wet blanket. For instance, the temperature is currently 95, with a heat index of 105. The humidity makes it feel 10 to 20 degrees HOTTER than it actually is.

This is the kind of heat that makes you sweat even if you’re standing in the shade. It’s muggy and inescapable.

Add to that the fact that you’re often standing on hot asphalt (especially during transportation periods) and you’re surrounded by other hot bodies in close proximity, it can turn even the most pleasant person into a crab apple if they aren’t actively doing things to help alleviate the heat.

Tips For Surviving The Hot Temperature at Disney

Being prepared for the heat is always the best course of action. Whether that’s packing the right things in your suitcase or having a game plan for when your family needs to cool off, being prepared is your best bet for surviving the Disney heat.

Be prepared with these tips on dealing with the heat in Orlando when visiting Disney World.

• Skip the costumes. There is a reason there are so many Etsy sellers that make cute Disney-inspired sundresses for kids. While it may seem magical to let your kids wear that polyester-and-tulle princess dress for their first trip to Disney, they will be a miserable hot mess. For our first trip, I let my daughter bring one costume and then filled the rest of her suitcase with light, breathable Disney-inspired dresses. The difference in how our days went when she was wearing the costume versus the other outfits was like night and day. If you really want to get a few shots of them in their favorite costume at the parks, pack a lighter outfit for them to change into if the costume becomes unbearable.

• Baby wipes are not just for babies. You will appreciate this one…just bring the wipes!
• Wear good shoes. You will be walking a lot, and your feet will get hot and sweaty. Leave the cute shoes and flip-flops at home. (Don’t say we didn’t warn you!)
• Speaking of shoes, bring extra. If you get caught in the rain or if your feet sweat a lot from the heat, you will want a dry pair for the next day. There is nothing worse than getting up the next day and putting on wet shoes. YUCK!

• Be prepared for the rain showers. Usually, right before a rain shower, it gets EVEN hotter. Then it cools off for a bit, then heats right back up. Don’t let the weather forecast fool you – It will usually say rain for most of the day, which is not accurate. It will rain, then clear up. Bring the ponchos and enjoy! Of course, if it’s storming, seek shelter. It will pass.
• Bad hair IS a given! Yes, the humidity will make your hairdo some crazy stuff. Frizzy, dry, and nasty-feeling is a good way of describing it. Dry shampoo or hair oils (depending on your hair type) will help, or just be ready to throw it in a ponytail! If you’re worried about pictures, just pop on a pair of Mickey Ears.
• Pack to stay cool. For our family, we always bring these cooling towels and misting waterbottles. The cooling towels don’t drip and they actually help keep you cool. If you have kids that will be in strollers, they even make stroller fans to help keep them cool – but keep in mind that your everyday stroller may insulate heat too much. We’ve always used cheap umbrella strollers at the parks and have had no issues.
• Get that free water! Bring insulated waterbottles and pour those cups of free ice water that Disney gives you into them to help keep the water cooler longer.

• “Disney Rash” is definitely a thing. It’s like a heat rash on steroids. Don’t worry, we’ve got even more tips. Read more about Disney Rash here!
• Don’t forget this one – bring lots of deodorant.
• Know where the “misting” zones are. At Magic Kingdom, the Casey Jr. Splash and Soak Station just past the Barnstormer Ride is a great place to let kids cool off. However, if you don’t want them to get fully soaked, just in front of the Jungle Cruise there is a camel statue that “spits” water at you.

Of course, indoor areas at Disney are air-conditioned so if you need to cool off, pop into a Quick Service restaurant, walk through some stores or get in line for a ride with an indoor queue.

Is Animal Kingdom Hotter Than Other Parks?

It has not been officially proven either way, but some do feel that Animal Kingdom is hotter than the other Disney Parks.

One theory is that the vegetation responsible for the authentic animal habitat feel is said to create a sort of rainforest effect. This could cause the park to be hotter than the others. On the other hand, some people feel that all the trees and plants offer shade that isn’t available at most parks, making Animal Kingdom feel cooler to them.

I guess the answer to this question is still up to debate. 

Average Temperature at Disney by Month

Here are the average monthly highs for Orlando, FL, as shared by the NOAA. As you see, you get some relief from the heat in those cooler months but it’s still pretty warm!

• January – 71°
• February – 74°
• March – 78°
• April – 83°
• May – 87°
• June – 90°
• July – 90°
• August – 91°
• September – 89°
• October – 84°
• November – 78°
• December – 74°

Keep in mind that these are averages – the temperatures can be dramatically higher or even colder than these averages suggest – and also these temperatures don’t factor in the heat index/humidity.

Final Verdict: Is it Hot at Disney?

So the verdict is… it’s definitely HOT and you need to be ready for the temperature at Disney World during the summer months and even sometimes, the winter months. However, there are great ways to be prepared for the sometimes intense heat and still have a super-fun vacation at the parks!

Do you refuse a trip to Disney World in the summer months, or do you just go and deal with it? Let us know by joining DISNEY EXPRESS LANE, our Facebook group for all things Disney! We would love to hear any tips you have for surviving the heat. 

The post Is It Really THAT Hot? All About The Temperature At Disney World appeared first on WaltExpress.com.

All images are owned by Disney. 

Disney After Hours: Halloween Boo Bash

After Hour Events are a great way to experience Disney World in a fun new way. From shortened lines at attractions to exclusive snacks, these events have it all! All that’s needed is a special ticket and a love for the magic.

Disney’s Boo Bash is Disney’s first After Hours event post-Covid. Below, you’ll find some of the things I’m most excited about!

What is Disney Boo Bash?

Disney After Hour Events are events that occur after the park, in which they are located, close for the night. For Boo Bash, this will be a 3-hour event that begins at either 9 or 9:30 PM depending on the date of the event.

Location

This year’s Halloween Boo Bash will take place at Disney’s Magic Kingdom. This means you’ll get much shorter wait times for some of your favorite classic rides such as:

• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Space Mountain
• Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train

Snacks 

During these events, you’ll enjoy all sorts of complimentary snacks such as:

• Popcorn
• Seasonal drinks
• Fun ice cream treats

What To Do 

While enjoying these amazing snacks you can sit back, relax, and watch stupendous cavalcades featuring fan favorites like Chip and Dale, Jack Skellington, Maleficent, and so many more!

Disney’s Boo Bash Dates

So, when can you start reserving your spot at a Boo Bash? The official start date for buying tickets is June 15 and guests staying on Disney property can start purchasing tickets on June 8th.

I have a birthday coming up sooo “hint, hint”.

The parties will take place on various dates from August 10- October 31. If you would like to attend one of these events, now is the time to contact your travel agent!

Halloween Pricing

Boo Bash’s prices are comparable to the pricing of events pre-Covid. They range depending on the date that you would like from $129-$199.

Fun Fact: The closer to Halloween, the higher the price! If you happen to be DVC or an Annual passholder, there is a $10 discount per ticket for the months of August and September.

The price may be steep, but it does allow access to the party and it allows you to enter the park as early as 7 PM the day of the event. Costumes

One of the most spectacular perks of these events is that the entire family can dress up! Typically Disney does not allow guests above a certain age to dress in costume, but that rule is gone for this event!

Disney’s Boo Bash is the only event this year that allows the entire family to dress in a themed costume. Think of the options! My wife and I always try and theme our outfits at Disney World, but with Boo Bash, we would be able to theme costumes!

Spectral Spirit

One of the coolest features is that with your Memory Maker, your pictures can take on a life of their own! Disney truly works their magic in making sure they never miss an opportunity to add a little pixie dust. Watching your little ones light up when they see what concoctions they’ve worked up will be a party all on its own! That wraps up what we know so far about Disney’s Boo Bash! So don’t wait! Contact your agent today and join in for a ghoulishly good time!

Come join the party over on Facebook in our Disney Express Lane here!

Click here to look at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, which is extremely close to Magic Kingdom (the location of the Boo Bash)!

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While some of our favorite Disney dining spots are table-service meals, for the most part we rely on quick service locations to keep us happy and fed during our Disney vacations. They’re fast, inexpensive, usually don’t require dining reservations – and most of them serve up some pretty great food.

One of our family’s absolute favorite quick service meals is Disney Springs’ Chicken Guy!

(By the way, the exclamation point behind Chicken Guy! is not to indicate my excitement, although I am excited when we are heading there to eat. The exclamation point is a part of the restaurant name. I just thought I would clear that up before you continue reading and then wonder why I keep using the exclamation point. LOL!)

Disney Springs’ Chicken Guy!

Chicken Guy! was founded by celebrity chef Guy Fieri and renowned restaurateur Robert Earl. The Disney Springs location was it’s fourth location and it now currently has seven locations:

1. Miami, FL,
2. Landover, MD
3. Santa Clara, CA
4. Disney Springs
5. Gatlinburg, TN
6. Nashville, TN
7. And it’s newest location Winter Park, FL which is a stone’s throw from Magic Kingdom

According to their website, more locations will be opening soon – which is not surprising because the food here needs to be experienced in as many places as possible.

The Sauces at Chicken Guy!

Now let’s talk about why we love Flavortown – they offer one-of-a-kind, all-natural fresh chicken tenders paired with a wide selection of delicious sauces. There are over 20 house-made sauces to choose from. Try one or try them all; it is your call.

The complete list of sauces (as of now) include:

• Special Sauce: a blend of ketchup, mayo, mustard, pickle juice, and a proprietary spice blend.
• Donkey Sauce: mayo meets roasted garlic, mustard, and Worcestershire with a squeeze of lemon.
• Ranchero: roasted tomatoes, bell peppers, and chilies, seasoned with cumin, garlic, onion, and cilantro.
• Curry Mayo: a combination of coriander, cumin, turmeric, chili powder, garlic, lime, and of course – mayo.
• Wasabi Honey: simply wasabi, honey, and a hint of lime.
• Cumin Lime Mojo: featuring cumin, lime, cilantro, and roasted garlic. 
• Garlic Parmesan: mayo with roasted garlic and parmesan, a little black pepper, and parsley. 
• Avocado Crema: avocados and sour cream, complemented with cilantro and lime flavors. 
• Bourbon Brown Sugar BBQ: brown sugar, molasses, apple cider vinegar, and a splash of Kentucky bourbon. 
• Buffalo: a blend of red chilis and jalapenos, garlic and onion, with a hint of paprika and vinegar.
• Bleu Cheese: bleu cheese crumbles, mayo, sour cream, and lemon. 
• Buttermilk Ranch: a combination of buttermilk and mayo, seasoned with dill, chives, onion, and garlic.  
• Lemon Pepper: mayo paired with lemon, black pepper, and a little honey.
• Honey Mustard: honey, yellow mustard, mayo, and a bit of lemon juice. 
• Teriyaki: infused with soy sauce, sesame, garlic, and brown sugar.
• Sweet N’ Sour: the flavors of orange, pineapple, honey, and vinegar.
• Chipotle Ranch: chipotle peppers mixed with buttermilk ranch, and smoked paprika.
• Nashville Hot Honey: honey paired with red chilies, cayenne pepper, garlic, and onion.
• Peri-Peri: roasted red bell pepper and chilies, seasoned with garlic, onion, paprika, oregano, and a splash of lemon. 
• Habanero Hot Sauce: habanero peppers mixed with vinegar, onion, and garlic. 
• Spicy Mayo: a combination of roasted red chilis and chipotle peppers with cayenne, honey, and mayo. 
• Sweet Sriracha BBQ: a roasted red pepper puree with tomatoes, onions, and a hint of molasses and brown sugar. 

My favorite sauce so far is a tie between the garlic parmesan and donkey sauce but I am still working my way through their impressive array of sauces. Like anything we do on Disney World property, our goal is to try everything at least once… and that includes the delicious sauces!

The Menu

Chicken Guy!’s menu offers a variety of options such as all-natural chicken tenders, skewers, sandwiches, salads and can be paired with some amazing side options as well. Chicken Guy Fries, Mac Daddy Mac ‘n Cheese, American Slaw, Fried Pickle Chip, or my personal favorite Loaded Fries are ALL on the menu!

I know Guy Fieri can be a bit of a polarizing figure as a celebrity chef, but there is no debating that this man and his team of recipe developers know their flavors. Everything I’ve had from his restaurants has been absolutely delicious.

Gluten-Free Chicken Guy! 

Ever since travelling to DisneyWorld with my friend and her daughter who had nut and gluten allergies, I’ve tried to take note of how the different restaurants on Disney property handle the needs of those guests.

Unlike a lot of chicken restaurants that use peanut oil, according to the manager I spoke to, Chicken Guy!’s menu is completely nut-free. There are also many gluten-free options available:

• A gluten-free bun can be substituted in any chicken sandwich.
• The chicken can be grilled instead of breaded.
• Fries are made with caution to food allergies.
• A salad can be ordered with the grilled chicken and without croutons.

The best part is… even with these adjustments, the food is still AMAZING. One of my favorite allergy-friendly dishes is the loaded fries. At Chicken Guy!, they are smothered in SMC (so much cheese), chopped crispy or grilled chicken, bacon & green onions. We had the ones with the grilled chicken on our last visit.

Did You Know Dessert Options Are Available?

While we have not tried them yet, you can add a frozen treat such as a handspun soft serve to your visit. Triple Double Mint or Cinnamon Apple both sound amazing!

Tip: If you are looking for something a bit sweeter while visiting Disney Springs, try Erin McKenna’s Bakery!

Disney Springs’ Chicken Guy! Hours

This location is open for lunch and dinner. With so much to do and see at Disney Springs, this fun little restaurant will allow you to grab a quick bite – no reservations required. However, wait times will vary depending on the time of day you are planning to visit.

We cannot wait for our next visit to Flavortown – we have a lot more food and sauces to try, plus soft-serve desserts! My mouth is watering now, just thinking about it. I guess we need to plan another trip soon!

If you are a chicken lover, dipping sauce fanatic, or enjoy loaded fries as I do, then you for sure need to add Chicken Guy! at Disney Springs to your dining list. This is a great restaurant for first-time visitors to Disney as well as seasoned travelers. 

What is one of your favorite quick-service restaurants at Disney World? Come on over to Facebook and join us at Disney Express Lane to let us know!

More Dining Posts:

• Tiffins Restaurant at Animal Kingdom
• Be Our Guest: Why Breakfast Here is a Must!
• Tony’s Town Square Restaurant at Magic Kingdon
• Turner House Restaurant at Animal Kingdom
• The Best Restaurants for First Time Visitors to Disney

The post Why We Love Disney Springs’ Chicken Guy (And So Will You) appeared first on WaltExpress.com.

Staying off property during your Disney World vacation

Whether to stay on-property or off-property is probably the number one question that is asked over and over again when planning a trip to Disney World. Today we are sharing all of the pros and cons of staying off property that we have encountered.

Mindset is everything and being as informed as possible helps. Knowing what to expect and feeling confident in whichever choice you make will help you appreciate your vacation selection and not resent the drawbacks. The fact is, every hotel (even Disney-owned ones) have their drawbacks and it’s just as much about picking the perks that work for you as choosing the “cons” that you can best live with.

Just a note, this post is exclusively talking about off property hotels – not vacation rentals like airbnbs. While many of the pros and cons on this list apply to vacation rentals, we will share a post soon that discusses the pros and cons of vacation rentals.

What IS an Off Property Hotel?

An off property hotel is ANY hotel not located on the Disney World Property or a Hotel that is NOT owned or operated by Disney World.

There are two distinctions that should be made however between off-property hotels. Some hotels are affiliated with Disney through their Good Neighbor Hotels program.

The perks for these hotels vary but can include earlier access to dining bookings, the ability to take advantage of Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening hours, etc.

Also, potentially to add to the confusion, some non-Disney owned hotels are located on Disney Property (like the Swan and Dolphin resorts which are in the Epcot circle) but are exempt from certain perks of staying at a Disney-owned property.

Saving Money

Trust me. I get it. I am all about saving money and getting the best price. However, when it comes to a Disney World Vacation, saving money should not be the only reason you choose to stay at an off property hotel.

If staying off-property is the only way that you can afford a Disney vacation, then yes, that’s an easy decision. However, if you have some budget flexibility, you should consider the pros and cons of staying off-property a bit more thoroughly.

Personally, if I’m already spending a few thousand dollars on a family vacation, I don’t want to compromise on the overall experience of my vacation in order to just save a couple hundred bucks – but I also know better than to assume that staying on-property is going to give me the best experience. I want to weigh my options and see which choice really works for the kind of vacation I’m planning.

Sometimes staying off-property isn’t about the money – there are some amazing luxury hotels and resorts in the Orlando/Lake Buena Vista area that are not affiliated with Disney that offer unique perks and experiences that may be more attractive to you than staying on property.

However, normally when this question is asked it’s because the person asking is looking to save money.

CONS

Less Magical:

When you stay at Disney World Resort, you are immersed in the Magic from the time you check-in to the time you check-out. When you are staying off property you have to leave the Magic every night.

Some off site hotels will have some Disney decor but none have the same “feel” as staying at a Disney themed resort. You miss out on the detailed decor, the immersive “bubble” experience of staying on-property, the hourly activities available at Disney resorts, and most importantly, the Disney guest services.

We’ve stayed at some off-property hotels that have some fun activities planned throughout the day for kids but none of them offer as many activities as Disney properties do. We’ve also stayed at some wonderfully themed and decorated off-site hotels, but if you want Disney theming, the only place you’ll truly get that is on-property.

You may pay for parking twice:

When you stay at an offsite hotel, you will have to pay for theme park parking daily if you plan to drive (although many offsite hotels offer complimentary transportation). This can get very expensive depending on how many days you are planning to visit the parks. Plus, most off-site hotels also have their own parking fees.

Transportation to the Parks:

While most off-property hotels offer transportation services, they often aren’t as “connected” as Disney resort transportation and many only offer transportation once per hour – so if you miss that hour’s bus, you either need to wait another hour or pay out of pocket for other transportation options.

While it’s a good rule of thumb to plan an hour for transportation, with some offsite hotels the transportation time can be longer.

Guest Services:

This cannot be overstated! Disney’s customer service is outstanding.

I travel for a living and have stayed at everything from budget airbnbs to 5-star hotels in NYC, to boutique hotels all over the world… and I can honestly say that the customer service even at Disney’s Value Resorts often matches the experience of the 5-star resorts I’ve stayed at – and exceeds many of them.

If your stay goes off without a hitch, they are friendly, family-oriented and helpful. If you have issues, they will go above and beyond to resolve them and often make up for those experiences.

No Disney Dining:

You cannot add a Disney dining plan to your vacation if you stay off-property unless you stay at either the Swan or Dolphin hotels located in the Epcot Resort area. (However, you cannot redeem Disney dining credits at either of these resorts.)

Currently, Disney is only allowing Dining reservations to be made 60 days in advance – regardless if you are staying on-property or off. However, on-property guests can book all of their dining reservations at once, whereas off-property guests can only make one day’s dining reservations at a time. This used to be 180 days, but the one day at a time rule has always applied to off-property guests.

Missing out on Extra Hours:

Disney now allows on-property guests to enter the parks 30-minutes prior to opening and it also has “extended evening hours” available twice a week for guests staying at Deluxe Resorts, Deluxe Villas, the Swan & Dolphin and Shades of Green.

So, if you want to “rope drop” at a park, you have to stay on property.

You May Get Conned with Resort Fees:

We are not fans of the practice of hidden resort fees which is a rampant issue in Florida. (Read more about this practice on Disney Tourist Blog.) Before booking a seemingly inexpensive off-property hotel, call the hotel directly and ask about resort fees – or ask your travel agent. Some hotels don’t charge them in advance, so it’s an unpleasant surprise upon check-in.

These fees can be $25-40 a day, which needless to say really adds up and can be a deciding factor in choosing your hotel. If your hotel charges them, there is no way to opt out even if you’re only planning on using your hotel for sleeping and not planning on using the “resort perks.”

While I have had wonderful stays at resorts that charge resort fees, the practice does dampen my enthusiasm and respect for those resorts because of its deceptive nature – they should just include those non-optional fees into their advertised rate!

PROS

While we’ve mentioned some drawbacks, staying off property isn’t all bad! We’ve stayed off-property multiple times and had wonderful experiences.

In fact, staying off-property has actually worked better for certain vacations – especially vacations where we were only planning to spend a few of our days at the parks.

Visiting Other Area Theme Parks:

If you’re planning on splitting your time between DisneyWorld and Universal Studios Orlando, staying off-property may be a better fit.

Not only will most off-property hotels offer transportation to both parks, but they may be situated so that your transportation time to other parks is shorter and they may have on-site experts who can help you plan your day at the other park, if needed.

Proximity to Other Attractions:

My absolute favorite thing about staying at Wyndham Gardens Lake Buena Vista was that it was literally a 5-minute walk from the front doors of the hotel to being fully immersed in Disney Springs.

I loved not having to take another bus and being able to have flexibility in our planning. We could stay in the pool as long as we wanted, get changed and then casually stroll over and take our pick of multiple entertaining, shopping and dining options.

Cost:

Staying off-property is often comparable in cost to Disney’s Value or Moderate Hotels, depending on where you stay, but sometimes the amenities of off-property hotels (especially when comparing in the “value” price range) make this an easy choice.

I’m not a huge fan of Disney’s Value Resorts – the pools, dining and locations for me don’t compare to the offerings and savings of many off-property hotels. However, that choice gets trickier when comparing Moderate Hotels to off-property hotels in the same price range.

Amenities:

Some off-property hotels offer competitive amenities like microwaves, kitchenettes, spas, gyms, free airport shuttles or free continental breakfasts that can make a big difference to your vacation.

Microwaves are first-come, first-serve at Disney and kitchenettes are located only in a few suites at Art of Animation and the All-Star Music Resort (both in the Value category) and the only Moderate option with kitchenettes are the Cabins at Fort Wilderness.

Most Moderate Disney resorts offer gyms, but none of the Value resorts do. The only Moderate resort with a spa is Coronado Springs – again, none of the Value resorts do.

Disney has ended it’s free Magical Express service so guests now need to arrange and pay for their own transportation from the airports to their resorts – and no Disney resorts offer free breakfasts.

Spontaneity:

Y’all, I am the queen of spontaneous Disney vacations. I think of all my vacations, only one was booked the recommended 6 months in advance.

Off-property bookings are often your best bet with a spontaneous trip – especially during busy seasons when the resorts are full or super busy.

I hope this list of the pros and cons of staying off property helps you in making the best decision for your family’s vacation. The answer to “Is Staying Off Property During Your Disney World Vacation Worth It?” isn’t a simple yes or no because every family has individual needs and preferences that will make one decision better than the other – and sometimes, those needs and preferences change from vacation to vacation.

For more reasons to stay ON PROPERTY, check out our Top 10 Reasons to Stay On Property at DisneyWorld.

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5 Money Saving Snacks in Hollywood Studios

Popcorn

Cupcakes

“Totchos”

Frozen Drinks

Jack’s Num Num Cookie

Honorable Mentions:

Lunch Box Tart

Carrot Cake Cookies

Mickey Pretzels

Of course, Mickey Pretzels are always a great bang-for-your-buck snack. As you can see in the image above, they are huge and shareable. 

5 Money Saving Snacks 

Have you tried any of our favorite money-saving snacks mentioned? I’d love to hear your thoughts or any of your own personal favorite snacks from Hollywood Studios!

Come visit us over at Disney Express Lane! If you are looking for information regarding snacks, here is a great blog post with info about snacks in Disney’s Magic Kingdom .

The post 5 Money Saving Snacks You Can Find In Disney’s Hollywood Studios appeared first on WaltExpress.com.

Walt Disney’s World Epcot offers all this and more – and needless to say, it can be a bit overwhelming for first-time visitors. Today, we’re sharing 7 Rookie Mistakes to Avoid at Epcot so you can make the most of this magnificent park.

7 Rookie Mistake to Avoid at Disney World’s Epcot

…

Below, I’ve listed some of the rookie mistakes that I see happen nearly every trip I’ve made. Epcot is the one park where a rookie mistake could ruin the rest of your trip. Here are some rookie mistakes to avoid at Disney World’s Epcot!

7. Underestimating the Size of Epcot

Epcot is 300 acres! That’s 227 football fields.

The time suggestions to travel between attractions are often inaccurate. Whether they are supplied by the the My Disney Experience App or many of the “top” Disney travel websites that are written by adults who don’t take small children to the parks.

According to My Disney Experience, it should take you 10 minutes to walk from Spaceship Earth to the Frozen Ever After ride in the Norway Pavillion. I can tell you honestly as a mom who is travelling with little humans with little legs, that trip is going to take you at least 20 minutes unless all the kids are buckled into strollers and you’re keeping a good pace – unhindered by busy crowds.

This is such an important thing to keep in mind when making your Epcot plans, whether you’re trying to make it to a character meeting or a dining reservation. It will take twice as long as the app suggests.

6. Not Wearing Sunblock or Good Shoes

A rookie mistake to avoid at Disney World’s Epcot is forgetting your sunscreen or sunshades.

Epcot is one of the more “wide open” parks. There isn’t a lot of shade in between the countries, and it’s usually already occupied. Can you imagine getting sunburnt the first day?

The rest of your trip would be pretty rough. Even if you’re fine in the sun, don’t forget about those kiddos in strollers. Their little legs hanging out in the sun all day could get burnt.

And when it comes to good shoes… remember how I said that Epcot is REALLY big?

Not only is it a huge park, you will spend most of your time walking rather than riding – the walk around the countries is 1.2 miles, by ITSELF! Add onto that the walk from the hotel and transportation and you will be on your feet a lot.

Your footwear is going to matter a lot at this park, and that includes your socks. I understand wanting to dress nice at some of the restaurants, but high heels or loafers are just a bad idea if you plan on visiting the rest of the park.

5. Not Digging Further

It wasn’t until my third trip to Epcot that I discovered that what I thought was just a decorative pyramid in the Mexico Pavillion actually houses an amazing shopping area styled after an open-air Mexican vendor market, the Gran Fiesta Tour ride AND La Cantina de San Angel restaurant.

The same can be said for several other areas, like the Morocco Pavillion that features a seemingly dead-end alleyway that holds several shops and even a character meet and greet.

Take your time exploring the nooks and crannies of this park to discover all of it’s hidden treasures.

4. Not Riding Soarin’

While Spaceship Earth is just a classic and everyone jostles to get into Frozen Ever After, my hands-down favorite ride at Epcot is Soarin’.

This unique 4D roller coaster often has a short wait time but it’s such a fun experience. I don’t want to give away too much but if you decide to make the time for this ride, all I have to say is “nice work, pal!”

3. Test Track Trap

I’ve been going to Disney World long enough to remember Test Track opening.

My kids absolutely love Test Track, but it breaks down a lot. This means that your predicted hour wait could easily become two. It is completely worth it, especially if you’ve never ridden it, however I recommend planning accordingly if you really want to ride this one. Don’t have an important ride or reservation booked immediately afterwards.

2. Skipping Rope Drop

A lot of people only plan half a day for Epcot, which is such a mistake!

Although the World Showcase doesn’t open until later in the morning, you really do need a full day (at least) to explore this park.

Get there for rope drop and experience everything you can in the Future Showcase BEFORE the World Pavillion opens up.

This is SUPER important if you want to ride Frozen Ever After. If you don’t get to this ride early, then expect a pretty lengthy wait.

1. Not Taking Your Sweet Time in the Countries

A major rookie mistake to avoid is not taking the time to “taste” the countries.

Disney has so many festivals throughout the year that it’s always festival season at Epcot! We’ve been lucky enough to experience several of these but my personal favorites are the Festival of the Arts and the Food and Wine Festival.

During these Festivals, there are additional attractions, vendor booths, experiences and even more dining options available to guests. Many of these are only available once – so if you miss them on one trip, you won’t ever get a chance to experience them again.

Slow down, appreciate your surroundings – and taste everything you can!

I hope this blog post was helpful in helping you learn to navigate how to get around these rookie mistakes to avoid while at Epcot!

I highly recommend looking into the food and wine festival here! Also, come join us over at Disney Express Lane on Facebook here!

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Disney World’s Boardwalk Inn

When choosing a Disney World resort, there are three things that are always at the top of my list: location, the pool and dining experiences!

Choosing a Disney World resort is one of the most difficult decisions for most people when planning their vacations. Deciding between the pros and cons of staying off-property or on-property; figuring out where you will be located compared to where you will be spending the majority of your time; and the different forms of transportation available to you based on where you are staying are all important factors.

#1: It Has One of the BEST Disney Resort Locations

Disney World’s Boardwalk Inn is located in the “Epcot Circle.” It’s just a short walk to the back entrance of Epcot, which enters the park just before the beginning of the World Showcase.

It’s a beautiful and peaceful walk, perfect for early mornings. We like to get our coffee to go and walk over in the mornings when the park opens without having to wait for any transportation, and there’s not much of a line to get in either

The Boardwalk Inn is also in a good location to walk to Hollywood Studios. The walk is a little further, but it’s still a really nice walk on a pretty path that many people take their early morning jogs on.

If you don’t want to make the walk to Hollywood Studios, there is always bus transportation or a boat ride. I always enjoy the boat rides, sometimes they feel like they take a little longer but I think they’re more fun.

The Skyliner is also available to ride from Epcot to Hollywood Studios, if that’s something you are excited to try!

And as always there is bus transportation that will take you to the other parks. There is a bus stop that has the bus times posted and the times can also be accessed from your resort room’s TV.

#2 It’s Home to a Carnival-Themed Pool

We will often spend at least one full day of our Disney vacations lounging around the pool – and even after a really long day in the parks my kids are always asking for a night time dip in the pool, no matter how tired they are.

The main swimming pool at The Boardwalk Inn is really cute! The Luna Park Pool is designed to look like a carnival, complete with a 200ft-long waterslide. There are adorable elephants spouting water from their trunks for the kids to play under and there is even a kiddie pool for smaller children and a whirlpool spa for adults.

This is the perfect place to take the kids after a hot day in the parks or if you are like me and take a day in the middle of your trip to just relax. We often take a day in the middle of our trip to do some shopping in the morning. Then we go back to the resort and spend the rest of the day by the pool. It’s a nice way to keep relaxed on an otherwise busy trip.

Boardwalk Inn Activities

If pools aren’t your thing, there are plenty of other activities around this resort you may be interested in.

The Resort sits on Disney’s Boardwalk, a wonderful place to go and eat, shop, rent a bike or just sit and watch the view over the lake. There are also swan paddle boats for rent over at the Swan Resort and morning yoga on the Village Green.

There are several character meals within walking distance, including Rapunzel and friends at Trattoria al Forno, Mickey and Friends at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, and Chip, Dale, Pluto and Goofy over at the Swan Resort.

The resort also offers movies at night and campfire activities. The campfire activities are so fun!  The staff does an amazing job making sure every kid has a chance at roasting their own marshmallows.

#3 Boardwalk Inn is Home to some Creepy Curiosities

I don’t want to spoil any of the fun surprises for you, but take your time when exploring the lobby and various lounge spaces around the hotel. You just might find some interesting things that seem better suited to a Carnival attraction than a Disney hotel!

#4 Guests Can Access an Exclusive Club

Boardwalk’s Concierge Service is called the Innkeepr’s Club. The concierge service offers guests of those rooms plush robes, DVD players, nightly turn-down service, special food offerings and more… but best of all, concierge level guests have access to their own private lounge.

The lounge features several complimentary dining options throughout the day, starting with continental breakfast, then afternoon refreshments, “Tea and Sweets” in the late afternoon, Wine and Cheese just before supper and “Cordials and Desserts” in the evening.

The Concierge Lounge’s balcony is also one of the best spots to watch Epcot’s nightly fireworks.

#5 The Boardwalk Travels Back in Time Every Evening

Okay, maybe not literally, but the Boardwalk you see during the day is very different to the Boardwalk at night.

There are several old-fashioned carnival games set up to play, a 1940s-style dance hall (Atlantic Dance Hall, 21+), a duelling piano bar (Jellyrolls, 21+) along with plenty of carnival food for purchase and street performances and caricature artists.

Boardwalk Inn Dining

The most important aspect of any Disney vacation for me is the food!

Over at The Boardwalk Inn, there is a signature dining experience, Flying Fish. As a signature restaurant it does have a dress code and if you are on the Disney Dining Plan it will cost you two credits per meal, but I have heard many great things about this dining experience.

If signature dining isn’t your thing then don’t worry, The Boardwalk Inn has plenty of other options. There is a pizza window that people rave about, a poolside carousel-themed bar, and the Belle Vue Lounge which offers a continental breakfast and evening cocktails.

And let’s not forget there are many other restaurants located on The Boardwalk including:

• Trattoria al Forno
• Big River Grille and Brewing Works
• Boardwalk Bakery
• Ample Hills Creamy (try the butter cake ice cream)
• A Funnel Cake Cart
• a To-Go Cart
• ESPN Club

And we cannot forget to mention Boardwalk Joe’s Marvelous Margaritas, which also sell the famous Mickey pretzels. If you like margaritas I highly recommend stopping!

You are also steps away from all of the amazing dining options available at the Swan and Dolphin, Yacht Club and Beach Club Resorts.

Did you know all of these things about the Boardwalk Inn? I’d love to hear your experiences staying here if you’ve been!

And don’t forget to stop by WALT EXPRESS for more great tips and tricks on your upcoming vacations! Looking for ideas on how to enjoy a date night while in Disney? Check out this blog on Romantic Date Nights At Disney World.

A special THANKS to our friend Greg for some of the great pics featured in this post!

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