Nemo

August brought some fun Nemo Passholder extras at Animal Kingdom

Crush Passholder Magnet

Totally Sweet Sundae, featuring Crush

Exclusive Passholder Magic Shot 

with Becky, Marlin & Nemo 

WDW 1st Visit

Epcot

 Hello Lovely Readers,

The first time I visited WDW was in 2022. I was at a Family Reunion, and only went to Animal Kingdom & Epcot, plus Disney Springs. Two parks that I heard a lot about, that really didn’t have an equal in California. 

Disney Springs 

I kinda went under duress, and didn’t do any reasearch and boy, did I miss out on a lot of things...

At Animal Kingdom, I completely missed the Tree of Life. I look back now and can't see how I did

I was with a group and was rushed around AK, and didn't really see much, even though we rope-dropped {didnt know that was a thing}, to go on Flight of Passage. We left early, because "not much to see"

It was my first time in Florida, and it was the middle of July, and I now know, but what the hell was up with the heavens opening up around 2 in the afternoon, and then suddenly stopping about two hours later??

At Epcot, we went in the afternoon to make our queue time at Guardians of the Galaxy. Was soaked, because of the aforementioned rain, and went into a fully air-conditioned building dripping wet.

Epcot

The Food & Wine was going on, so that was cool. Got the tip to buy a festival gift card to wear, so I didn't have to reach for my cc at every booth. I also had fun doing all the Kidcot activities, and checking out all the Pavillions

What I know now is

1. You need the app

2. You should have a magic band

3. A photopass/memory maker is so worth it!

4. Epcot has four festivals

5. Where the Tree of Life is

6. How cool Animal Kingdom is

7. I should have taken more pics

8. That Pandora in Animal Kingdom is really cool at night

9. I like all the different shows

10. Single Rider lines!

I learned there's quite a bit of a learning curve when it comes to Walt Disney World 

Stay ☀️ 

 

Written after becoming a passholder, and 3 years after the trip

Epcot Flower & Garden 2025

Hello Lovely Readers,

This is my 2nd year of the International Flower & Garden Festival, so I knew what to expect. 

I visited 3x, so I could sample a bit of food each time

This year, {I mean, they could have had something cool last year, but I didn't notice} everyone entered the park to a Moana 2 scene

Moana, Maui, Hei Hei, & Pau

I also noticed some different topiaries and took photos at my favorites

Phineas & Ferb

Encanto

Miguel & Dante

Lady & the Tramp

Dragon

Toy Story

Woody close-up

The Lion King

Mickey & Friends

Canadian Pavilion

And the food & drinks that I consumed this year...

Brunchcot

Avocado Toast

with Marinated Tomatoes and Plant-based Cheese Crumbles on Toasted Ciabatta

Yacht Grub

Trio of Dips & Chips

Carmalized Onion Dip, Whipped Feta Dip & Pimento Cheese with House-made Potato Chips & Caviar

&

The Honey Bee-stro

Orange Blossom Honey Wine 

Magnolia Terrance

The American Adventure

Bananas Foster Bread Pudding

with a Rum-Caralme Sauce

Beach Grub

Grilled Street Corn on the Cob

with Savory Garlic Spread and "Cheese"

Brunchcot

Biscuit & Gravy

with Impossible Sausage & Pepper Jelly

Hanami

Japan

Frushi

Stawberry, Pineapple & Honeydew wrapped in Coconut Rice & Tri-color Soy Wrap 

with Coconut Cream Sauce & toasted Coconut

Bauernmarkt: Farmer's Market

Germany

 Raspberry Radler & Potato Pancakes

with House-made Applesauce

La Isla Fresca

Coconut-Chocolate Flancocho

Chocolate Cake, Coconut Custard & Passion Fruit Caramel

Garden Graze Reward

From eating five items from the Garden Graze Menu

1. Avocado Toast
2. Bisquits & Gravy
3. Coconut-Chocolate Fancocho
4. Potaot Pancakes 
5. Corn on the Cob

I love this festival. Epcot is gorgeous with all the flowers & topiaries throughout the grounds. 

Until next time

Stay Sunny

V.I.Passholder Days

Hello Lovely Readers,

Took advantage of V.I.Passholder Summer Days @ Epcot & Port Orleans and...

🌞Got my passholder tumbler

🌞Received my button & pita chips {my fav} at the passholder lounge at the Morrocco Pavillion

🌞Took an exclusive magic shot with Genie

🌞Found the Bambi magic shot😀

🌞Picked up the Maleficent magnet

🌞Took a bus to Port Orleans, Riverside for dinner at BoatWright's

🌞Enjoyed French Onion Soup & Praline-Bourbon Bread Pudding at 40% off

🌞Loving my magic+ band at night

🌞Plus, taking in all the beauty that is the Flower & Garden Festival with my new Minnie backpack

 

Until next time

Stay 🌞

Broadway in SWFL

I was able to catch five Boadway shows thus year. The closest theatre, The Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at FSW, about 46 minutes away on a college campus. 

The first one of the 2024-2025 season that I went to was "Jersy Boys" with my boy. This one is close to my heart since they are the ones that wrote & sang my 1st dance song, " Can't Take My Eyes Of of You"

It was even more special because I got to go with my favorite date to his first Broadway Musical 

Next up, " Funny Girl"

I went a bit early and scored Rush tickets. A reduced price ticket, available a couple of hours before the show.

Then, the "Book of Morman" a very raunchy show, by the creators of "SouthPark"

"MJ" was a great show! 

The season finished with "Les Mis" on Easter. It was my first time seeing it. I didnt realize it was show without dialog. They sang everything. But wow, I understand why it's still touring.

Since I'm somewhat frugal, and sit in the nose bleed section, I invested in a pair of opera glasses so I can see some of the details from way up high.

Cant wait to see what's coming to town for 2025 2026.