Chocolate and pretzels are like Mickey and Minnie — perfect together. Somehow the mix of salty and sweet makes both snacks taste even better. Pretzel buttons take a traditional treat — a chocolate-dipped pretzel rod — and make it easy and safe enough for kids to help assemble. This time, we’ve upped the cuteness factor…
Author: Vikki Turner
I am a lifelong Disney lover who will never quite grow up. I love fireworks, roller coasters, and special Disney treats. My four children and husband have been brainwashed into a love of Disney by regular visits to Disney parks and a home life filled with Disney movies and characters. I love travel, writing, and reading.
Flying vs. Driving — Which One is Right for Your Disney Trip?
I live 400 miles from one U.S. Disney resort and more than 2,100 from the other. Which parks I fly and drive to are pretty obvious. But large sections of the country live in a big gray area between the parks — a long drive or a shorter flight. Deciding on flying vs. driving to Disney…
5 Ways to prepare your Kids for Their First Disney Trip
Hurray! You’ve decided the time is right to take your darlings to Disneyland or Walt Disney World. But then reality creeps in. Will my child have meltdowns every day? I’m afraid she will get lost! Will he hate all the rides — or Mickey Mouse himself? You can’t use a magic wand to poof…
Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland
Every “happily ever after” needs a castle, right? Disneyland’s crown jewel is Sleeping Beauty Castle, at the center of the park and instantly recognizable as an icon of the Disney company. Disney has built fairy tale castles at all of its flagship theme parks around the globe, but this is the original model. Fun fact: The…
Great Details in the Monsters, Inc. Queue
The Monsters, Inc. franchise has an outpost in Hollywood Land at Disney California Adventure. The attraction, subtitled “Mike and Sulley to the Rescue,” takes you on a classic dark ride journey through scenes from the hit 2011 Pixar movie. Before you ride, the queue entertains you with some interesting tidbits that keep your attention and refer…
Soundsational Parade at Disneyland
Disneyland’s daytime parade, Soundsational, features great songs and joyful performers. It may be overshadowed in some fans’ minds by its nighttime counterparts, the Main Street Electrical Parade and Paint the Night parade, but it holds its own. Come take a look at this vibrant celebration of music! First, you’ll want to find a spot to watch the…
Easy Minnie and Mickey Mouse Cupcakes
These adorable Mickey Mouse cupcakes would be perfect for a Disney-themed birthday party, a pre-trip surprise, or simply a sweet treat to make with kids! They remind me of an Ear Hat from a Disney park. Mickey Mouse cupcakes are easy to make and delicious! Oreo Cookie Mickey Mouse Cupcakes Ingredients: 1 cake mix — any flavor…
Clarabelle’s Ice Cream in California Adventure
As summer hits, we’ll all need something cool while we’re braving a sweltering theme-park day. Whether you’re just stopping by for an afternoon treat, or attempting to snack your way through the parks, Clarabelle’s Hand Scooped Ice Cream in California Adventure serves special treats that you won’t find anywhere else at the Disneyland Resort. You can…
Learn Do’s and Dont’s of Universal Express Pass
The Express Pass is Universal’s front-of-the-line access to its two theme parks in Orlando. Unlike Disney’s FastPass, which comes free with admission, you’ll have to pay (in some fashion) for Express Pass. While only you can calculate whether this perk is worth it to you, we’ll help you understand some of the do’s and dont’s of…
Diagon Alley Must-Do’s at Universal Studios Florida
If you’re visiting Universal Orlando Resort, you’ll want to check out Diagon Alley, the newest Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Diagon Alley won’t take long to cover if you’re only venturing in to “ride something” — its only moving attractions are Escape From Gringotts and the Hogwarts Express train that runs to Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure. But the…
Top Five Reasons to Stay at Universal’s Loews Royal Pacific Resort
At at Universal Orlando‘s Royal Pacific Resort, stay close to the action but in your own tropical retreat. As one of Universal’s five (soon to be six) onsite hotels, Loews Royal Pacific Resort offers many benefits and perks to its guests. I have my own top five reasons to stay at the Royal Pacific —…
Add Universal to a Disney World vacation
After visiting Walt Disney World a few times, our children figured out that — gasp — Orlando has other theme parks! Chief among them is Universal, which has sparked interest in the past few years with notable additions themed to Harry Potter, Minions, and other popular franchises. So how do you add Universal to a Disney…