WDW Daily News

One of my favorite parts about Walt Disney World is the massive amount of people, which is odd considering the fact that I usually hate crowds. However, there’s something thrilling about knowing that there’s literally people from all around the world in the same place as me, experiencing the same magic that I am. Maybe it’s because I’m a small-town girl, or maybe I just like the thought that I can share Disney with so many other people, but I genuinely love to simply sit and watch the people pass by.

Even more exciting is actually striking up a conversation with someone. There’s something bittersweet about knowing that you will, most likely, never see this person again in your lifetime, but you can enjoy the time that you have together right now. My mom and I had this experience with an Irish family while we were waiting for the Main Street Electrical Parade one night on our most recent WDW trip. The discussion started with a comment about funnel cakes, and by the time the parade started we were chatting like we were old neighbors. I found myself watching the reactions of our new friends more than the characters floating by, and I honestly didn’t want the parade end because I knew that we would inevitably have to say goodbye. When the time came, I actually felt like crying.

The next time you find yourself waiting for a bus, standing in line for an attraction, marking your spot for a parade, whatever, try making a new friend. It’s funny how much you can find that you have in common with a total stranger. So much, in fact, that while it might just be coincidence, I like to think of it as the magic of Disney. The best part is that even though you might not see your Disney pal again, you’ll always have the memory of them. I know that whenever I pass by our Frontierland parade spot, I’ll always think of a certain Irish family that made our trip extra special just by giving us their company.

Last year I took a whirlwind two week trip to Disney World. I stayed at the Art of Animation hotel and for the first time ever I used the Disney Dining plan! First off let me say that prior to that trip I didn’t even know there was such a thing as a dining plan but oh my goodness it changed my life, but that’s an article for another day! Because I had the dining plan I was able to visit a ton of the amazing restaurants that Disney World has to offer. But the two I get asked the most about are Cinderella’s Royal Tables and Akershus Royal Banquet Hall. Since I’ve been to both places I thought I’d give a slight rundown of both!

Akershus is in the Norway Pavillion in Epcot. When my friend and I arrived we were about 15 minutes early for our reservation but they showed us right in with no problem. It worked out perfect because the first thing you do when you walk in is meet Belle! Now I have to say I was SO SUPER EXCITED to see her, because when you meet her there, she meets in her yellow ballgown. It was shortly after her new dress was revealed so I was more excited than every little girl in the queue to see her. At the time there was a photopass photographer there to take pictures of us and she signed my autograph book. Best start to breakfast ever. Once we were seated, our server brought us our drinks and then we were able to go to the buffet. It had some traditional Norwegian options, but it also had standard American breakfast items. I got to try smoked salmon there for the first time…I didn’t love it but I was pretty stoaked to get to try something new! About 10 minutes into our meal the princesses started to appear. On my trip we met Snow White, Ariel, Aurora on this particular day. I have been told you can sometimes meet Jasmin and Mulan there as well. I loved the interaction. They spent a good bit of time with each family and in the middle they do the sweetest little processional with all the little kids present. I was well pleased with Akershus. It was a really enjoyable experience and for my first princess meal at Disney World I was pretty pumped!

Later in my trip I made the trek over to Cinderella’s Castle to dine at Cinderella’s Royal Table. I also dined their for breakfast so my experiences at both princess meals were in the morning. My reservation was for 8 am and we were at park entrance at about 7:30 am. Because it was before park open it does take a little bit more to get into the park so I would recommend getting there a little early if you can- not to mention if you do have a reservation before park open mainstreet is pretty empty. So me and my friend stopped at EVERY photopass photographer going up mainstreet to get pictures…because we are nerds haha. When we finally arrived after our impromptu photo session, we checked and we headed off to meet the head princess in charge Cinderella! We had our photos taken and we headed off for breakfast. It was a standard sit down meal with a menu. I went for steak and eggs- which was filet mignon and fried egg. It was delicious, but not a standard breakfast option. Everything there was really quite fancy as it should have been I mean we were eating in a castle! The princesses were announced as they arrived which I thought was so sweet! There I met Aurora, Snow White, Jasmin, and Ariel. I didn’t get to spend as much time with each princess but I personally was okay with that because I had already met them elsewhere. If you are looking to spend a solid amount of time with the ladies CRT might not be the place for you. I really enjoyed eating at Cinderella’s Royal Table! My photos and my take away magic wand were absolutely precious so it was well worth it to make the trip there!

But here’s my advice- While Cinderella’s Royal Table is spectacular I would recommend Akershus Royal Banquet instead. Cinderella’s Royal Table is something I would do for the experience, but not to really enjoy the meal, or even the characters because I really didn’t get to spend a lot of time with them. At Akershus I left very very full, and I spent a great deal of time with each princess which means the most to me. That said both are spectacular but I definitely have a favorite! Tell me guys- have you been to both? Which is your favorite? I’d love to hear!

Check out the photo of the week by Stacy Degaro featuring Roy Disney and Minnie Statues at Main Street USA in Magic Kingdom.

It’s hard to believe that September is just around the corner and that means that it’s high time to figure out what I’ll be wearing at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party! “Dressing up? That’s for kids!” you say. I assure you I thought the same thing…once.

The first time I went to MNNSSHP I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I was staying at the Wilderness Lodge and come around 6:00 I made my way to the boat dock for the ride over to the Magic Kingdom. There were several of the obligatory pirates and princesses on board, and a few parents wearing mouse ears, logo wear and the like. I didn’t feel too out of place since I was not in costume.

Next stop was the Fort Wilderness boat dock. These folks are some serious Disney devotees! As we approached I look out to see pirates, princesses, adult Woody AND Buzz, a couple, well into their retirement years dressed as Minnie and Mickey. Everyone was in full costume, some Disney, many not but ALL were decked out to the 9’s! Now I felt like I was missing out on something.

As I entered the turnstiles, there was a convergence of all sorts of characters, young and old, some still in strollers. Some guests were in street wear, and others with elaborate costumes. The ambience was amazing as fog machines belched out thick plumes of sweet smelling smoke. The music and lighting cast an eerie spell over the park, but not too intense as to not frighten little ones.

I was alone this trip and yes, I went trick or treating just like everyone else. It really was like being a kid again and took me back to my days of roaming Hasson Heights on Halloween with my friends as we tore from house to house with pillowcases full of treats. My mind was made up that night that this would be an annual event for me and I was going to dress up for thenext occasion!

The following year I attended again but this time with a cast member friend of mine and we went as Pinocchio and Geppetto in costumes I threw together. We met more people, and were asked to pose for more photos than you can imagine. We were joined up with another Pinocchio, three Hogwart’s wizards and a Mad Hatter. We had a blast, starting off as strangers and ending the night as friends.

If you have not had the opportunity to attend this special, ticketed event, I highly recommend you set time aside to do so. This really is what they mean by Disney magic. When you can suddenly be transformed back to your youth, or go trick or treating with your child AS a child, there’s not a ticket price for that. It’s a great way to interact with fellow guests and the cast members get very personal and interactive.

The Mickey’s Boo To You Parade and Hallowishes Fireworks are unique to the experience and as always are sure to please everyone in your party. Oh, and if you don’t get your treat bag quite full making your way around the park…ask nicely on the way out and they’re usually more than happy to top you off!