Disney Inspired No Bake Christmas Cookies

We Cheated (a little)

We have totally stolen this blog and are using it here! Just kidding, well sort of. What can we say? We are tired and pooped this holiday season, but wanted to bring our Disney fans a little something extra!! As most of you know, our sister site is amandamiddleton.me. We totally have permission to “borrow” her cookie blog! This is a great AND easy way to bring the family together for some holiday baking, that involves our favorite MOUSE and it IS pretty easy!

Allergy Friendly Disney Inspired No Bake Christmas Cookies

Without further ado, here’s Mandi!

I really did not expect for these to be so much fun, but being the Disney fanatics we are they were SO much fun and tasty too! It also helped that they were super easy and no baking was involved. I found this amazing recipe on Pinterest and now it has a special home on my Christmas Board. These cookies were so much fun to make and I even adapted them, so they are allergy friendly for my family.

We travel to Disney World quite often and I am always inspired by the beautiful cookies and cupcakes that they have to offer. But, we are not always able to eat them due to our food allergies. Disney World has a few options for Gluten-Free and Nut-Free Treats, but they are few and far between! So I was determined to make these tasty treats with allergy-friendly ingredients of course. They were too cute to pass up!

Although ours did not turn out as beautifully as a pastry chefs’, I think they turned out spectacular with some added character.

(Side Note: We are a gluten and nut-free family. These cookies are adapted to our liking. You may need to adapt for your family’s allergies.)

Ingredients for Gluten and Nut Free Cookies

• larger (Oreo) cookies
• smaller cookies
• Red Candy Melts
• Bow Decorations 
• decorating icing 
• Allergy Friendly Christmas Sprinkles
• Buttons for Mickey
• Christmas Sprinkles

Directions (I promise, this is so easy)!

1. Get all of your ingredients together
2. Grab the kids
3. Place the smaller cookie slightly inside of larger cookies for Mickey and Minnie’s ears. Be careful not to break the cookies
4. Dip the bottom half of the cookie into the red candy melts
5. Place the coated cookie on wax paper
6. Decorate while drying
7. Wait to dry to add embellishments such as lines or bows
8. Have fun
9. Enjoy

This project is great for kids of all ages with parental supervision. Kids over the age of six may not need to be supervised as much.

Happy Decorating and Merry Christmas!
Until next time….

~xoxo

Mandi

We hope you have enjoyed this fun little recipe. We would love to see your pictures if you try it! Head over to our Facebook group and post them there: DISNEY EXPRESS LANE. For more Disney inspired recipes, check out: THE GREY STUFF or MICKEY’S SANTA HATS!

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EPCOT During The Holidays

There is absolutely nothing like Disney World during the holidays. If you are in a “bah-humbug” state of mind, head to Disney’s Epcot and be magically transformed! Epcot is home to some pretty amazing sites, but during the Christmas season, it’s just pure bliss and magic!

1. The first magical stop in Epcot would have to be the World Showcase for The Festival of the Holidays. This was previously known as Holidays Around the World. We spent some time there last year and let me just say, it was beyond magical. Each country showcases how they celebrate the season, complete with traditional foods and festivities. For example, in the France pavilion, you will meet Pere Noel. He tells a magical story of how Christmas is celebrated in France. Of course, just like with all Epcot festivals, delicious and “yummy” food will be found at each World Showcase pavilion. Try something new this holiday season! This year’s Festival of the Holidays will run November 29 – December 30, 2019!

2. The Candlelight Processional. This holiday event tells the story of the true meaning of Christmas. A timeless classic! Click this LINK for all of the great artists you will find at this year’s Candlelight Processional. November 29 – December 30, 2019 will be the dates of this year’s event. Whoopie Goldberg and Neil Patrick Harris are just two of the many amazing narrators in the line up! Dining packages are also available for this event.

3. Santa! Well, of course, EVERYONE wants to see the Big Guy during the holidays. We love to visit Santa in the American pavilion in the World Showcase.

4. Holiday Kitchens. One of the BEST things about the holidays is the delicious food. Disney provides a taste of the season with their HOLIDAY KITCHENS. New for 2019 is the Holiday Cookie Stroll! Get your festival passport and stroll along looking for these delicious treats!

• Bavaria Holiday Kitchen at the Germany Pavilion: Linzer Cookie
• American Holiday Table at the America Pavilion: Gingerbread Cookie
• Yukon Holiday Kitchen at the Canada Pavilion: Peppermint Pinwheel Cookie
• Feast of the Three Kings near the Mexico Pavilion: Chocolate Crinkle Cookie
• L’Chaim Holiday Kitchen between the Morocco and France Pavilions: Black-and-White Cookie

5. EPCOT FOREVER is Epcot’s newest nighttime fireworks show! Watch for the “spark of imagination” that started it all!

Bonus Tip:

For a little more excitement, be sure to watch for Chip and Dale’s Christmas Tree Spree, a fun and interactive scavenger hunt. Maps are $6.99 plus tax, and are available throughout Epcot while supplies last.

As you can see, Epcot is the place to be for the holidays. What is your favorite part about the holidays in Epcot? Leave us a comment and let us know!

Find out what the Magic Kingdom has going on during the holidays right here: MAGIC KINGDOM DURING THE HOLIDAYS

Head on over to our Facebook group, DISNEY EXPRESS LANE, for more Disney holiday fun and information!

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Why I Visit Epcot at Christmas

I may not be in the majority of people, but Epcot is my favorite Walt Disney World park. I love the feeling of “traveling” to many different countries. Plus, as a self-proclaimed foodie, the dining at Epcot is unmatched! All my favorite restaurants are here, as well as Illuminations on the water. This show is truly breathtaking! When you add the Christmas holiday magic, it brings tears to my eyes! I know, I am such a sap! The Christmas décor is tailored to every country area, so it is truly something you cannot see anywhere else! Santa also loves Epcot, because he and Mrs. Claus can be found at the American Pavilion during select times at Christmas! Among all of these activities, my favorite event is hands down the Candlelight Processional.

Celebrating Christmas with the Candlelight Processional at Epcot

One of my favorite events offered annually at Epcot during the Christmas season is the Candlelight Processional. I love the classic feel of this choral performance with the traditional reading of the Christmas story. The reading is actually narrated by celebrity guests.

The first year I was able to attend this event, I did not understand the popularity of the event and the minimal seating. When I arrived, the people waiting for at-will seats had been in line for over 4 hours! Turned out, the night we were attending was the night of Neil Patrick Harris narrating. I absolutely LOVE him! So do a lot of other people, because I was not able to get a seat. There was standing room allowed behind the seating for the performance, however it was very difficult to see and hear, and it took away from the ambiance and serene feeling of the tradition of reading the Christmas story and the traditional Christmas carols. If you are like me and want to experience the traditions of Christmas and Disney (my two favorite things), then you absolutely need to do guaranteed seating.

The only way to get guaranteed seating is by purchasing the Candlelight Dining Package. This package includes reserving a meal at many Epcot restaurants, followed by a guaranteed seat at the Candlelight Processional. You are able to pick your restaurant and time, and then you are able to attend the show time of your choice. There are over 15 restaurants participating in this event, and prices vary based on the restaurant you choose!

Favorite Tip

Two popular character dining restaurants, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall and Garden Grill, are included in this package! Why not book a character meal with your Candlelight Dining Package, and take care of two popular and fun events at once?!  Akershus Royal Banquet Hall,  Garden Grill and Trattoria al Forno Bon Voyage Adventure Breakfast are all offering breakfast, lunch and dinner as a part of this package!

I can’t wait to book my Candlelight Dinner Package the next time I am at Walt Disney World for Christmas. Packages are now available for booking for the 2018 season! To reserve your Candlelight Dining Package, you can call (407) WDW-DINE or ask your travel planner to book it for you! This package is 2 table service credits on the Disney Dining Plan.

Are you looking for more holiday fun in Epcot? You won’t want to miss the Festival of the Holidays!

Check out The Disney Express Lane Facebook Group to discuss ideas, experiences and fun! See ya there!

photo credit: WDWNEWS

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Who Needs A Train Around The Tree When You Can Have The Disney Monorail?

We absolutely LOVE to decorate for Christmas and we LOVE it even more when it can be combined with a touch of Disney! Having a train running around your Christmas tree is a true classic and every child’s dream. But, in the world of Disney fans everywhere, there IS one thing better than a train. A MONORAIL!! I mean, come on, you KNOW you want to see that magical monorail underneath your Christmas tree, bringing even more magic to your home during the holidays. We bought this for our daughter a few years ago and decided it needed a “home for holidays” right under our tree! It has become a tradition and the kids LOVE it! Of course, it brings back sweet memories to our Disney trips and family fun times! And, I may even pretend it’s coming to pick me up for a trip to the Magic Kingdom!

Imagine their surprise when they see that monorail under the tree. We all know that Santa is a Disney fan, too! Here is the link so your family can enjoy the monorail around the tree! Disney World’s Monorail.

Do you incorporate Disney into your Christmas decorations? We would love to see your pictures and videos!

For a quick and easy “Disney treat”, check out: NO BAKE DISNEY CHRISTMAS COOKIES!

If you will be in Disney World during this festive time of the year, be sure to find out the “must-do’s” for the holidays!

Join us in our Facebook group, Disney Express Lane, for more Disney fun!

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12 Disney Themed Christmas Trees to get You in the Holiday Spirit!

If you are anything like me (which I know you are because, you are HERE) you want to bring a little bit of Disney into your Christmas decor. So what better way to do that than to have a Disney Christmas tree roundup!

Everyone loves the magic of the Holidays and Christmas, so why not bring them together!

Kids’ Disney-Side Christmas Tree

• Let your Kids’ show their Disney Side by adding a felt Christmas tree to the wall! The instructions are easy and you could get the kids in on making and creating it too!
• A Frozen Inspired Disney Christmas Tree

http://mymommatoldme.com/diy-frozen-christmas-tree/

• Darth Vader Christmas Tree

The BEST Christmas Tree Ideas for Kids

My Tsum Tsum Christmas Tree from TsumTsum

Family Disney-Side Christmas Tree

• A Story Book Family Christmas Tree
• Mickey Mouse Inspired White Christmas Tree

Disney Christmas Ideas

• Minnie Inspired Christmas Tree

Disney-Side Christmas Extra

Disney Inspired Christmas Wreath: technically this one isn’t a Christmas tree, but it is a lot of fun and would make a great crafting projects this Christmas season.

Disney-Side Christmas Tip

We love decorating for Christmas and we do not spare the Disney theme. It is everywhere in our home everyday, so Christmas is no exception. We love taking things that we use during the year and creating a new way to use them. Just like this toy monorail! Who needs a train around the tree when you can have a monorail?

We love this Walt Disney World Resort Monorail Play Set for Kids all year around!

More Disney-Side Inspiration From Disney World

If you still need more Disney Inspiration for your home be sure to check out the Disney Parks Blog for more Disney Inspired Christmas Trees at Disney Springs in Disney World.

Hopefully these Disney Christmas trees will give you a reason to show your Disney-side and Christmas magic all at the same time!

Happy decorating and crafting this Christmas! Make it a Disney Holiday to remember! Don’t forget to check out our Disney Inspired crafts and favorites too.

Make sure to join us on social media and share your Disney inspired decorations. We would love to see: Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest too!

How do you decorate for Christmas? Do you make it a Disney Christmas too? Join the Disney Express Lane Facebook Group to discuss this and many other Disney related topics.

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Top 5 Must-Do’s for the Holidays at Disney World

The Holidays are amongst everyone’s favorite time of the year. That is especially true at Disney World. NO ONE does the Holidays like Disney World! If you are visiting during this extra special time of the year, we have compiled a top 5 list of Holiday activities, rides and treats that you DO NOT want to miss!

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

This is one party not to be missed!! From special entertainment to parades to delicious treats, this is THE party of the year. It is specially priced ticketed event, meaning you will need a separate ticket to attend. The decorations are amazing, the parade is adorable, and the free cocoa and cookies make this one of our favorite special events. To find out more about about this festive party, check out: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

Life Size Gingerbread House at the Grand Floridian Resort

Kids and grown ups alike love this extra special treat! You only get a glimpse of it on the Disney World website, so it is often overlooked if you aren’t staying at the Grand Floridian Resort. I’m here to tell you it is super cool and it smells heavenly! You can even get fun holiday treats while taking in the Christmas spirit!

The Jingle Cruise

During non-holiday time, the Jingle Cruise is also known as the Jungle Cruise. I love this! It’s the same Jungle Cruise but with a Holiday flare. We love all the silly touches to our favorite “punny” ride. I highly recommend also grabbing a bite to eat the the Jungle Navigation Skipper Canteen to keep the puns and laughter coming!

Hollywood & Vine’s Seasonal Dine

Located in Hollywood Studios, the Hollywood and Vine’s Seasonal Dine is an “all you care to enjoy” dinner buffet guaranteed to get your jingle bells “jingling”!! You will NOT be visited by Christmas spirits, but instead, Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy and Pluto!! All will be dressed in their holiday finest! Also available will be a holiday feast like no other, complete with beautifully decorated cakes and pastries.

Meeting Santa

Of course you can meet Santa! He will be in Disney Springs just waiting to greet you! And yes, he DOES know you were a little naughty this year! He is also at the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas party. Santa meets in Town Square and will wave at you from his very special float during the parade. You can also meet Santa in Magic Kingdom during the day as the holidays get closer.

Bonus!

Epcot hosts FESTIVAL OF THE HOLIDAYS from November 19th through December 30th, 2017. This festival tells each country’s story of the Holidays, complete with their version of Santa and delicious holiday treats!

Well, there you go! Those are our must-do’s for the holidays at Disney World! Let us know if you have done any of them and what you thought about it!

Join the Disney Express Lane Facebook Group to discuss this and many other Disney related topics.

photo credit: Express Monorail Disney – Christmas on Main Street USA (Explored) via photopin (license)

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Disney 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Disney Ticket Options

Tickets, tickets, get your tickets! Tickets are a necessity if you plan to enjoy the wonderful world of Disney theme parks. However, the vast variety of ticket options can make anyone feel overwhelmed. Even seasoned veterans can have a tough time picking the right ticket package for a Disney World vacation. But have no fear, because the team at Walt Express is here to give you all the details on every ticket option at Disney World. This handy, dandy blog post will have you feeling much better about picking the best ticket option for you and your Disney vacation.

Ticket Options:

Ticket options include all of the following: One Day Magic Kingdom, One Day Epcot, One Day Hollywood Studios, One Day Animal Kingdom, Magic Your Way-Base Tickets, Magic Your Way+Park Hopper, and Magic Your Way Park Hopper Plus. That’s a ton of choices and keeping them all straight can be really tough. Let’s talk about each one in more detail.

One Day Magic Kingdom

One Day Magic Kingdom tickets are pretty self-explanatory. You can only visit Magic Kingdom for one day. The ticket is not valid for another park or another day. Recently, these ticket prices became variable. This means that the price varies based on which date you choose. Prices vary from $105 up to $124 per ticket for Magic Kingdom 1 day tickets.

One Day Epcot, Hollywood Studios or Animal Kingdom

One Day Epcot, Hollywood Studios or Animal Kingdom means that you can pick one of the parks listed and visit only that park on that chosen day. You are able to go in and out of the same park. These ticket prices are also variable. Check your date here.

Magic Your Way-Base Tickets

Magic Your Way Base Package Tickets allow you to visit one park per day. You can leave the park, but you have to come back to the same park if you plan to visit again the same day. You can not go to more than one park a day. Magic Your Way Base Tickets are available for 2 days or more ticket packages.

Magic Your Way + Park Hopper

Magic Your Way + Park Hopper allows you to enjoy same-day access to all 4 of Walt Disney World’s theme parks which includes: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This is a great option if you like to visit on park in the morning, but watch the fireworks or nighttime shows at another park. More on the pros and cons of park hoppers are discussed later.

Magic Your Way + Park Hopper Plus

Magic Your Way + Park Hopper Plus offers a certain number of visits based on the length of your ticket to certain destinations. For example, a 4-day ticket Magic Your Way+Park Hopper Plus ticket allows you to visit all four Disney World theme parks on four different days plus you receive 4 visits to any of the destinations listed below. The destinations are as follows:

• Disney’s Blizzard Beach
• Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon
• Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course
• Disney’s Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course
•  ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
• Disney’s Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course

Are Park Hoppers Right For You?

With all of that being said, I’m sure you are wondering if the Park Hopper is right for you. I will be honest, I have never been to Walt Disney World without the Park Hopper (with my kids) and the reason is, I like it for convenience. I like being able to go and do wherever I want and whenever I want. Our plans change a lot with small kids so that is my safety blanket. Just my preference!

Let’s take a look at who will benefit from park hopper tickets:

• (Someone like me) wants flexibility
• Visitors who want to do all four parks in less than four days. Do the math. 🙂
• Guests staying at Magic Kingdom area resort and Epcot area resorts. You can always walk to Epcot or walk or take the monorail to the Magic Kingdom for a late night stroll or dinner. Epcot especially has a lot to do for late night dinners or drinks.

Here are the people who should not get park hopper tickets:

• People who have every detail planned of their vacation and don’t need to hop.
• Travelers who have a strict budget because the park hopper is currently about $60 extra per ticket package.
• Travelers with very young children. Park hopping can be quite exhausting.
• Travelers who are not fond of spending lots of time on Disney transportation. Park hopping takes time, because you are moving from one park to another. Disney Parks are not situated close together and a standard travel time from one park to another is around 30 minutes or more. Disney recommends scheduling up to 90 minutes to arrive at your destination.

And Don’t Forget…

• All tickets on a package must be used within 14 days.
• 2 base tickets can not be used to enter two different parks in one day. Therefore, to enter two different parks on one day, you must purchase the park hopper.
• Special Event Tickets are sold separately. These include Harambe Nights, Villians Unleashed, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Night of Joy and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. You can purchase tickets for those events as they become available HERE, on the Disney website or by contacting your travel agent.

Related Topics:

What are MagicBands?

Weigh in on all the ticket options in the comments section or join the Disney Express Lane Facebook Group to discuss this and many other Disney related topics.

Updated February 14th, 2017 to reflect the changes in ticket options.

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Disney is apart of all of your lives (obviously or you wouldn’t be here right :-)), so I decided I would find the hot Disney items this year that won’t break the bank and are for you, the adult (well keep pretending at least), not your children! If you know a Disney fan check out this list out. Perfect for Christmas gifts!

WDW Magazine perfect for anyone and everyone keeping up with Disney News! 

Pixar Short Films Collection – Volume 1

Peter Pan Tea Pot for the Peter pan lover!

Darth Vader Expression Shirt for the man in your life!

Alex and Ani Minnie Mouse Bangle Bracelet for the fashionista! 

Mickey Pin Display for the pin collector!

Classic Mickey Waffle Maker for the breakfast lover!

Starbucks and Disney Print for the coffee lover!

Happily Ever Tees for the Disney Tee fan!

Mary Poppins Quote Poster for the Mary Poppins fan! (me, me, me!)

Disney Princess No-Show Socks for the workout Queen!

Disney Frozen No-Show Socks for every princess! 

Lady and the Tramp Disney Print for dog lover!

Disney Rose Gold Mickey Mouse Watch for the person who is never on time!

Running Buddy for the Disney “runner” or the park goer!

So there you have it…… 15 Gift Ideas for Every Disney Lover! What would you add? Have you seen any cool Disney items around the web? Please share!

• This post contains LOADS of affiliate links! If you decide to purchase any of these items please click on the picture or description under the picture, so Walt Express can benefit from your purchase. These funds help us to keep providing Disney tips, tricks and info to you. You are awesome! Thank you for being so supportive, we couldn’t do this without our readers!

Ready to go to a Disney park? 2016 is your year! Go HERE to get a FREE Quote to create YOUR magical vacation!

Join the Disney Express Lane Facebook Group to discuss this and many other Disney related topics.

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Hey there everyone! So let me introduce myself. I am, “anonymouse”! Get it? Anonymouse? Walt Express has asked me to come on onboard and share my gossip, opinionated views, and outlandish remarks. I am keeping myself anonymouse, because well you know, let’s not get crazy! I am the masked mouse and will continue to be through our duration.

Let’s get to the heart of the matter, today’s topic!

Alright so I get it, you are mad because Disney keeps changing up stuff. First it was Norway in Epcot with this Frozen crap they have, NOW they are taking away The Osbourne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. I get it, you are tired of all of the change. You want it to stay the same. You love all of the old so, why bring in all of this new stuff and take away all of this old stuff? Well here is what I think of that…..

GET OVER IT!

Over years past, there has been a lot of change and in within time we all got over it and embraced the change as best we knew how. Now the old seems like a distant land and is no longer the norm. Soon these new things will be the norm and you will no longer have to worry.

Stop living in a Fantasyland (pun intended)! Change happens, in your everyday life and yes in Disney too! Embrace the change or stop going. You are taking up way too much space in my Facebook newsfeed and Disney soundboards with your whining and complaining about everything going to “hell in a hand basket” in Disney. Seriously, Walt isn’t rolling over in his grave too much and the “Disney gods” aren’t crying the blues.

Stop the madness people! When something old is pushed out, just trust that Disney knows what they are doing and something new and better is coming along. Not saying I don’t get disturbed by some the changes happening in the Disney ream but, hey no matter what I will be a fan so, I learn to embrace and keep going and giving the Disney cooperation my money. You see what is happening there? Disney must know what’s up because, people like me keep giving them my money. So I am guessing they are the smarter ones, not I!

This year is the last year of The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights so, go see it or if you can’t go reminisce over the pics and videos you do have, they may be considered vintage in a few years.

The post The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights – Archive appeared first on WaltExpress.com.

During these specially-ticketed events the Magic Kingdom Park comes alive with holiday decorations, special entertainment and tons of fun!

This year, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will be held 25 nights throughout the months of September, October and November. And, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will be held 20 nights in November and December.

Dates for 2015 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party are:

• Sept. 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 27
• Oct. 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31
• Nov. 1

Dates for 2015 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party are:

• Nov. 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 29
• Dec.1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18

Don’t miss out on these magical nights if you are planning a Walt Disney World vacation during this time of year!

Read more about Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party HERE.

Read more about Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party HERE.

Are you planning on attending these two awesome events? Have you attended in years past?

Join the Disney Express Lane Facebook Group to discuss this and many other Disney related topics.

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