 Crystal Palace! You either love or hate this place. There is no in between when it comes to die hard Disney fans!!!! I’m sure that’s how you even ended up here. To get the scoop on whether you should book a table or not since no two people seem to have the same opinion!!! As long as you keep in mind that The Crystal Palace isn’t in the business of fine dining to appease the Disney foodies, this is a family buffet with every toddlers favorite Pooh Bear being the main attraction, you will find the info below VERY helpful. If you’re looking for a culinary experience to brag about, stop reading right here and book that table at California Grill, The Four Seasons or Victoria & Alberts!  Crystal PalaceThe Crystal Palace at Magic Kingdom is often the buffet style restaurant many families with small children turn to to meet their character dining needs. With Winnie the Pooh & Pals all together in one place, you can enjoy a pretty budget-friendly meal and snap a few memorable photos for the gram at the same time! Inspired by Victorian greenhouses of the late 1800s, the Victorian charm of the location is just jaw dropping!!! The neat part is, Crystal Palace happens to date back to the park’s opening. It’s part of original Disney World! However, to enjoy all of this charm, you do need to purchase a Magic Kingdom park ticket since the restaurant is inside Magic Kingdom. So keep that in mind when making your reservation!  CharactersPiglet, Winnie the Pooh, Eeyore, and Tigger are front and center at Crystal Palace. The perk of doing a character meal is that you can ditch the ridiculous lines in the park to meet the characters! Those lines can get crazy busy so character dining is always the route our family goes!!! Dining with the characters means more time for rides, parades & shows!  DrinksMagic Kingdom may be the only “dry” park out of them all, but the exception is character dining inside the park. That’s right, if you’re dining at Crystal Palace, you can enjoy an ice cold beer, glass of wine or even champagne for an additional cost while chillen with Winnie and all of his pals! Cheers!!!  FoodThis is your typical American fare buffet! Carving stations, chicken wings, Mac & cheese, mashed potatoes, kids buffet, the list goes on! While Disney Buffet meals are definitely not a culinary experience, they are definitely yummy!!! Everyone will leave with a full belly since there is literally something for everyone. You can even enjoy a simple desert such as an ice cream cone!  OpinionHonestly, I’m a huge fan of Crystal Palace for a Magic Kingdom meal! You get to take a break from the Florida humidity, enjoy an ice cold cocktail,meet Winnie the Pooh, all while eating a buffet style meal . Since this is a buffet dining experience, there is literally something for everyone!!! Even those picky eaters will find at least one item they can nibble on!!! You can also take as much or as little time as you please which is my number one reason for dining at Crystal Palace. If you’re at Disney during an event like Mickey’s Not So Scary, you can be in & out ASAP with a full belly and fabulous character pics for the gram! If you have all the time in the world?! Sit back and enjoy a cocktail or two in the glorious AC while the kiddos live out their dreams of hanging with Pooh Bear! The food?! It’s Disney buffet food! I feel regardless of the location of your character dinner buffet, the food is going to be the same. Don’t walk in expecting a 5 star culinarily experience. The food is good, but not great! Definitely nothing to brag about, but everyone will leave nice and full and that’s all that matters to me! You’re paying more for the experience and atmosphere than the entree, which is totally fine for me when traveling with my two picky eaters!!! I don’t have to worry about what may or may not be on a menu. Such a stress reliever! The only con’s really are that there are strollers and little kids everywhere!!! While I think Crystal Palace is a tad bit better than Chef Mickey’s when it comes to manners and kids running around, it’s still packed with little ones! It is Winnie the Pooh after all! Every toddlers favorite, so be prepared to dine surrounded by little ones. Let’s Chat!Have You Dined At Crystal Palace?
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Definitely no secret! If you know me in real life or follow me on my socials, you know that the Disney Halloween Party is a favorite of mine!!! I always joke that if I had one more day to live, I would want to hit up Epcot Food & Wine and then stroll into the Not So Scary Halloween Party in the evening with my fam & besties. Yes, that is right! I love the Halloween party THAT MUCH!!
Instead of writing a post on all the reasons I love Not So Scary because let me be real, that would be sorta lame. I figured I would share my tips! I have been many times and have many tips and hacks that might just make your Not So Scary Halloween Party experience that much more epic!!! 
1. Enter The Park At 4PM!
Thats right! The party might not start until 7, but you can enter Magic Kingdom at 4pm! That is 3 extra hours of rides, food and pictures!!!! We usually use this time to take all the epic family photos and to eat before the party starts!
2. Costumes
These parties are unique because they are actually the only time that adults are allowed to enter a Disney theme park in costume!! You best believe I take advantage!!!! I would say about 30-40% of people do dress up!! Although it is definitely not required, obviously!! I do encourage you to take advantage!! Just make sure you dress up knowing it may be 90 degrees outside! You will be melting, so no super heavy costumes so you do not sweat to death!!!! 
3. Eat a good dinner before you go
​As much as I love Disney food, the parks are very limited on food options once the party starts! I remember one year walking forever to find a stand selling something as simple as water! Not So Scary is a special event, so it does make sense business-wise to not run all the food stands! Eat dinner before you enter the park or do what we do, make a reservation at Crystal Palace for around 5-6pm! That way you are in the park, eating a fabulous Disney Character Dinner Buffet and are nice and full once the party starts!
4. Bring Water
As I mentioned above, I literally walked forever trying to find a water stand many years back! Ever since I have made sure to just bring a water bottle with me and I fill it up at the various water fountains around the park! Usually most restrooms have a water fountain right outside! Not only does this save you the hassle of searching for water, it will also save you $$$$! 
5. Splurge On Memory Maker!
I know it can be pricy, but there are so many fun Magic Shots unique to this special event!!! Definitely worth it in my book! Magic Shots are what you see above! Pictures with added Disney Magic!!!! Memory Maker can also be purchased the day of the Halloween party for a daily rate, so if you want to wait before you splurge, you can definitely do so and just pay once you see all your epic photos!!
6. Save Boujee Dining For Another Time!
Eating inside of Cinderella Castle might be fabulous, but it takes up so much time! I would save it for another time. The Halloween Party has so much awesomeness going on, and Cinderella Royal Table is a total time sucker!!! Same things with purchasing parade upgrades!! You all know I like to be fancy whenever possible, but this is one time I chose not to be! Parade upgrades again, total time sucker and you miss so much of the actual party trying to get your moneys worth! Save it for another time. 
7. Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party Map
Definetly pick one up when you enter the park!! This handy dandy map will have all of the event times and locations so you know what is going on when and where!!! You can also download the Disney Parks App! The app will actually alert you through out the night giving you tips, show and parade time updates!
8. Mickey's "Boo To You" Parade
offered at 9:15PM and 11:00PM - the second parade is usually ridiculously less crowded than the first. Get there super early if possible because seeing the Headless Horseman ride through the parade route is always a fan favorite at these parties!!
Chat Time!Have you ever been to The Not So Scary Halloween Party? Disney World has introduced some pretty awesome food trucks at Disney Springs West Side over the past few years!!! I’m all about food trucks and just love that Disney keeps adding more and more to their line up. If you are someone like myself who stays at Disney Springs hotels within walking distance to Disney Springs, food trucks make an awesome lunch option when not in the parks!!!! I’ve been waiting and hoping for more food trucks to arrive, and my wish finally came true!  Cookie Dough and Everything SweetThe food truck is called “Cookie Dough and Everything Sweet” and can be found near all the other food trucks at Disney Springs West Side. Visitors can order cups, tacos and cones of cookie dough in a variety of flavors, including peanut butter and cookies and cream. The best part? Prices range between $4.75 and $10! The Mickey cone you see above, $4.75! That’s cheaper than the jars of cookie dough you can purchase at Walmart!!!  OpinionIf y’all watch my insta stories , you know I’m beyond obsessed with cookie dough. I pretty much buy a jar weekly when I go grocery shopping. Cookie Dough & Everything Sweet did not disappoint! I was actually impressed that you can get a basic cone for only $4.75. That’s a steal for a Mickey shaped dessert on Disney property. I will recommend this over and over since it was not only delicious and cute, but actually affordable! Two thumbs up from me!  Let’s Chat!Have you been to the Disney Springs Cookie Dough Food Truck?
 Disney World has been on a huge millennial pink kick for awhile now and I’ve been loving every moment of it!!! Millennial Pink ears, backpacks!!!! Ahhhhh!!!!! So exciting!!! One of the most exciting additions to the millennial Pink lineup is the Millennial Pink Celebration Toast. It's perfectly ripe for Instagramming, IMO. The must have cocktail on the basic girl bucket list is made with Fairy Tale Celebration Cuvee, which is a type of Champagne and it comes with its own accessory — a pair of Mickey Mouse ears that are actually made of white chocolate. Yum! You can find this drink at Amorette’s Patisserie in Disney Springs.  As if that wasn't enough to get you to Disney, do you want to hear some even better news? This isn’t the only boozy creation you can find at Disney Springs! Amorette’s is also home to wine slushies!! So if Champagne isn’t exactly your thing, you can grab a wine slushie like my hubby did.  OpinionWhile I am in love with all things Millennial Pink & the Millennial Pink Celebration Toast did live up to the hype! So yum. Especially if you like real Champagne. Not the overly sweet stuff! I wasn’t a fan of the price tag. $19! That’s right, this over the top drink is probably the most pricy drink I have ever purchased at Disney & I have drank around the world many times! Was I happy I purchased it? Heck yeah! Would I do it again? Probably not! Unless they debut a different color, this is one epic drink crossed off my Disney foodie bucket list! As for the wine slushies, at $9, these are a drink I can see myself heading to Amorette’s for to pair with my beloved macarons! They come in a variety of seasonal flavors and are totally yum! At half the price of the Millennial Pink Celebration Toast, I’m actually shocked the wine slushies don’t get more IG love!  Let’s Chat!Have you tried a wine slush or the Millennial Pink Celebration Toast at Disney Springs?
 Few things beat the Florida heat like an ice cold popsicle. But everyone, including Disney, knows, the best popsicles also contain a little bit of booze!!! So you best believe I was pretty stoked when I was strolling Disney Springs on Sunday afternoon with the family when I spotted the most fabulous sign of all times in front of Pizza Point claiming Wine Pops were sold inside!!! The boozy popsicles come in three delicious flavors: White Sangria, perfect for a lazy afternoon; Mango Mimosa, an awesome brunch option; and Back Porch Peach, great for a leisurely stroll down Disney Springs. Since it was Sunday I totally scooped up a Mango Mimosa!  OpinionThere is no doubt about it, the Mango Mimosa Popsicle at Disney Springs is beyond delicious! Literally every basic girls dream. Brunch on a stick. Yum! The only down side to this deliciousness creation is the fact it will cost you $9 and the Popsicle isn’t exactly that large. If you’re tight on cash, you might want to splurge on another adult beverage where you can get more bang for your buck. If you’re like me and novelty items are your thing, totally get one. These popsicles are beyond delicious!  Let’s Chat!Have you tried one of the Boozy Popsicles at Disney Springs?
 Omg folks!!!! 5 more days until we are hitting up Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party!!! Literally one of my favorite events ever!! I always joke and say if I had one day to live, I would want to hit up Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival and then chill with Mickey and his pals at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party!!! since I can’t hold back my excitement, I thought I would make Halloween Mickey Mouse Cinnamon Rolls! You can find similar ones during Mickey’s Halloween party!! Enjoy!!  Ingredients2 Original Size Cinnamon Rolls 1 Grande Size Cinnamon Roll Icing (included in the cinnamon roll package) Halloween Sprinkles  Take 2 original size cinnamon rolls and pinch them onto the grande cinnamon roll. These two cinnamon rolls will be Mickey’s ears so place them accordingly.  Bake for 13-17 minutes on 400 or until golden brown.  Frost your Mickey Mouse Cinnamon Roll.  Sprinkle with Halloween sprinkles  Serve & enjoy!
 You can’t think about Disney without thinking of Dole Whips! At least I can’t. One of the most iconic Disney treats if you ask me!!!! Since we won’t be heading back to see Mickey for at least a few more month, I figured it was time to break out the blender and make our own Dole Whips at home. This way we can satisfy our cravings while counting down the days until our next Disney trip. Enjoy!!!  INGREDIENTS • 2 Cups Frozen Pineapple Chunks • 3 Tbsp Sugar • 12 oz Pineapple Juice • 1 Tbsp Lime Juice • 8 oz Frozen Whipped Topping (Cool Whip)  Put the frozen pineapples, lime juice and sugar into the blender.  Add the frozen whipped topping.  Pour in the pineapple juice. Blend until smooth.  Pour back into glass dish and freeze for at least 2 hours.  Pour back into glass dish and freeze for at least 2 hours.  Serve and enjoy!
 Who else is ridiculously excited for the new Toy Story movie hitting theaters this June?!?! Last year Disney World gave us Slinky Dog Dash & Alien Swirling Saucers in Toy Story Land! This year we are getting a new film!!! Can.Not.Wait!!!!! To get extra hyped for Toy Story, my daughter wanted to make Toy Story Alien Cookies! Safe to say she nailed them! Enjoy!!!  SUPPLIES• Sugar Cookies • Green Frosting • Candy Eyes • Black Frosting  Take your green frosting and frost each of your sugar cookies.  Place 3 candy eyes onto each of your cookies.  Draw a mouth with your black frosting.  Serve & Enjoy!!!
 Disney water parks!! I swear so many people forget they even exist! Honestly, we were that family for many years as well. I lived in Orlando FOREVER, so once I moved away, I never thought about hitting up Disney’s Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon when visiting my old stomping grounds. I always had my eyes set on Cinderella’s Castle and eating and drinking around the world! Now that my daughter is slightly older and has literally done EVERYTHING in the main parks, we decided to check out Blizzard Beach! She has been craving something new and Blizzard Beach was exactly that!!! Now that I have been to Blizzard Beach with and without my child, I feel I can give you legit tips to help you plan your next trip to Disney’s Blizzard Beach!  Arrive EarlyNeed a block of chairs?! Looking for prime seating at the “beach”? Driving yourself to the park?! You will definitely want to arrive early. The parking lot is pretty small, so the good spots get taken instantly. Also, those awesome lounge chairs right on the beach? Those will be taken within the first 20 minutes the park opens. If you do however show up later in the day, take a stroll down the lazy river. You will find additional seating. It’s just not a glam as sitting beachside. Bring A CameraDisney’s Blizzard Beach is actually a pretty fabulous looking park! So many cute photo opportunities!!!! Make sure you have a camera or have your smart phone fully charged!!! You may even want to splurge on one of those waterproof plastic phone cases you can scoop up at Walmart if you want more adventurous ride shots! You won’t want to miss the many Insta-worthy photo opportunities throughout Disney’s Blizzard Beach!  Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon For Little Ones?This is the question I’ve been asked for years! Even though this was my daughters first time hitting up a Disney water park, I would still urge my friends to hit up Blizzard Beach if you have little ones in tow. Blizzard Beach is known for it’s family rides where Typhoon Lagoon is more adventurous! My super honest opinion would be to skip the water parks all together until your kids are at least 5. The kiddie areas are pretty sweet, but not paying THAT much for a park ticket sweet. Unless there are older kids enjoying the park in your party, just don’t waste the money. Tike’s Peak & Ski Patrol Training CampAs I mentioned above, Blizzard Beach is the better park for those with little ones since Blizzard Beach has two great areas for kids: Tike’s Peak and the Ski Patrol Training Camp. Tike’s Peak is designed for children under 48 inches and features mini-slides and cute wading pools with the Blizzard Beach theme. The Ski Patrol Training Camp is geared toward school-age kids and is very popular! This area features slides, a zip line, and even an obstacle course where kids cross floating ice bergs. However, there are still height requirements to ride the “bigger” school-aged slides and at 6 years old, my daughter was so close to that required height that she was constantly measured!  LockersYes, you can rent a locker, but on days when I hit up a park with the bare minimum, I usually decide against it. Lockers can be expensive and when all I have is towels, smart phones and sunscreen in my Beach bag, I don’t find a locker worth it. WeatherBlizzard Beach is obviously 100% outside, making all attractions outdoors. Since everything is outside, thunderstorms grind the entire operation to a halt. Conversely, rain slows nothing down and the park will operate in a downpour. I highly recommend waiting out a downpour since rain usually leaves just as fast as it came. The park will clear out and when the rain disappears, you will have the park to yourself!!!  Water Shoes!Blizzard Beach is bigger than you would think! You will be doing A LOT of walking!!!! Taking flip flops on and off all day gets pretty old! Next time we hit up Blizzard Beach you best believe I’m going to Walmart or getting a pair of water shoes Primed to me so I can just keep those suckers on the entire day without taking them on and off in between rides! Bring Your Own TowelsDisney Waterparks DO NOT offer free towels to use! However, you can “rent” a towel for the day for $2 a towel. I would just pack your own towels, even if they are the plain ole white hotel towels! Better than paying for a towel if you ask me!  Bring Own FoodDisney is usually fantastic when it comes to food. Over priced , YES! Delicious, YES! However, Disney’s Blizzard Beach doesn’t offer killer food. For $10 I had a basic chicken stir fry. I wasn’t too impressed since I can make a better stir fry at home. I would definitely bring my own snacks next time. Yes, you can do that! And wait to eat our main meal later in the day. For the prices we paid for food in the park, we could have had a culinary experience somewhere fabulous at Disney Springs! Refillable CupsThis is the one thing that is worth every penny!!!!! You can purchase refillable cups when you enter the park. The best $11.99 you will spend since you can get unlimited non-alcoholic beverages!!!! We purchased one and my daughter and I shared. I would get a drink and then she would get a drink! Let’s Chat!Have you been to Blizzard Beach? I made a set of Mickey Mouse Cupcakes about a month ago and y’all went totally nuts for them!!! Such an easy peasy D.I.Y project using store bought cupcakes and everyone’s favorite cookies, OREO!!! I couldn’t let Mickey be without his beloved Minnie, so the other day my daughter and I decided to give Mickey his other half. Wilton Bows and Wilton Polka Dot Cupcake Wraps from Hobby Lobby and we had ourselves the cutest Minnie Mouse Cupcakes EVER!!! Enjoy!!!  SUPPLIES• White Frosted Cupcakes • Wilton Candy Bows (Hobby Lobby) • Oreo Thins • Wilton Red Polka Dot Cupcake Wraps  Remove current cupcake wraps from your cupcakes & replace with the Red Polka Dot Cupcake Wraps.  Take two Oreo Thins and stick them into your cupcakes to make Minnie ears.  Now take a Wilton Candy Bow and place it in the center of your cupcakes for a Minnie Bow.  Ta-Da!!! Just like that you have Minnie Mouse Cupcakes!!! So easy to make even your kiddos can do it themselves!!!  Let’s Chat!Are you Team Minnie or Team Mickey? |
My name is CourtneyLynne. I'm a mommy, wifey & a complete Disney nut! Lived in Celebration, the town Disney built for more years than I can remember & spent every free moment frolicking threw the parks thinking of ways I could take over Cinderella's castle ;-)
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