Disney Birthday

Hello Lovely Readers,

The last time I spent my birthday at a Disney property was in 2001 at California Adventure during their opening year. 

Not sure if buttons were a thing then, but they are now, and it was fun wearing one for the day, even if it was a day late.

I couldn't go on my actual birthday since my pass is blocked out on weekends & Federal holidays. So on my actual birthday, October 13th, I ventured over to Disney Springs for a photo shoot, lunch at Earl of Sandwich, and a cookie at Gideon's before heading over to my off-property hotel.

My plan on the 14th was to rope drop Epcot and ride the Guardians of the Galaxy. Well, that didn't happen! I did get there right at opening but the wait was already at 105 minutes, and I had a breakfast reservation at The Kona Cafe in the Polynesian Resort at 10:45, so on to plan B.

While eating awesome macadamia nut pancakes with pineapple sauce and bacon, I came up with the plan to visit all four parks and use the four modes of transportation to travel to all of them. My car was parked at Epoct. 

While at each, I would get a photo at their icon with my button, then do a reverse one with my arms in the air. I also went on one ride, or went to a show at each park. I didn't since I was full from my delicious pancakes, and knew I was ending my night at Epcot. The Food & Wine was in full swing, and I was making my way through my list

       

I always take advantage of having a photopass, so besides these photos, I stood in line for character shots at Magic Kingdom & Epcot.

I also rode two roller-coasters, which I really shouldn't. Everest at Animal Kingdom & Guardians at Epcot.

A busy day, more hours than I usually stay, but all in all a fantastic, solo 59th birthday trip!

Instagram reel~ Birthday @ WDW

Until next time,

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 🌞