Beta Test Staycation

     The past couple days have been a blast!  My mom and my cousin both came up to Orlando for a couple nights to visit, and I got the time off work to hang out with them.  I had a "beta test stay" at Art of Animation Resort, to assist in testing the new Magic Band technology.  We were able to add a night before and after the beta stay, so we had three nights to spend together!  When I checked us into Art of Animation, I was blown away!  It's such a cool resort!

     As soon as I got off work, I rushed back to the resort.  I got to hang with my family, and we got a quick bite at the food court in the hotel.  First thing after breakfast, we headed to Hollywood Studios, where we had fast passes set up on our magic bands.  We did Toy Story Mania, Tower of Terror, and Rockin Rollercoaster all super quick,  We even had some time to swing in and see some friends before we left!

       We jetted over to Magic Kingdom for a lunch reservation at Tony's Town Square Restaurant, which is right on Main Street, and themed like the Italian Restaurant in Lady and the Tramp.  It was our first time there, and the food was absolutely delicious (I suppose it's hard to ruin eggplant!), and the decor is perfect.  I only wish I could have heard a little more Bella Notte!

      We had time to kill before the start of the Halloween Party at 7, so we stuck around to play until then.

        As it started to get dark outside, and the party began, the music changed and Halloween creeped out all over the Magic Kingdom.  We snagged our event wristbands and some treat bags and went to score some candy.

      We hit all the treat stops (treat trails!) and caught the HalloWishes fireworks.

     A trip to the kingdom just isn't complete without the princesses.  And finally, after three visits to the Halloween party, I got to meet the Hundred Acre Woods crew in their costumes! So happy!

      After a late night at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, we got up bright and early to get breakfast at Cape May Cafe at The Beach Club Resort.  The bananas for the waffles were so yummy, and the little beach outfits the characters had on were super cute.  I had never done character dining with a child in tow before, and it was sad to see them be quick to blow of the adults at the table.  We all want pictures!  Thankfully, we were able to snag everybody!

      We just hung around Orlando for the day, wiped out from all the park hours the previous day.  We did some shopping, bought some fabulous PJs, and even fed some roadside donkeys!

     We made our way back to the hotel, and got ready for dinner.  After a bit of a struggle, I was able to book us a reservation at 1900 Park Fare in The Grand Floridian.  1900 Park Fare is a character dining buffet, including Cinderella, Prince Charming, the stepsisters, and the evil stepmother.

 

 

 
 

     Dinner was wonderful, and afterwards, we went back to our hotel, and into some particularly snuggly pjs.

     This morning, when they both had to leave, and I had to go into work, was pretty sad.  I hate goodbyes!

     That being said, I'm already planning their next trip up, I love when my family is here, and keep looking forward to more visitors!

It's not goodbye, it's see ya real soon!

xoxo

Baers at The Boardwalk

     On their way back from their own vacation, my parents made another stop in Orlando, for a mini-vacation with me!  We checked into The Boardwalk Resort yesterday, and I headed straight there after work (in costume and all!).  We had a sweet room with a water view, right above the boardwalk, which is filled with places to grab a bite and little shops.  We were also given MagicBands for the first time, which was pretty sweet!
     We walked downstairs and got some dinner from The Boardwalk Bakery.  They had the best lobster roll sandwiches!  This time, we had purchased the Quick Service Dining Plan, which turned out to be a really great value.  Anything to help make dining in Disney cheaper can't be bad! We snagged a table outside, right by the water to eat, and strolled up and down the walkway a bit.  It's such a nice place, I'd definitely love to stay there again!

      In the morning, we got up pretty early, and grabbed breakfast at The Boardwalk Bakery.  Another good meal, props to you Bakery!  We then took advantage of possibly the best perk at The Boardwalk Resort, the walkway right into Epcot.  It took us about 10-15 minutes to walk right into the park, smack between the France and the UK pavilions, perfect for Food & Wine attendees like us!

     We made our way around again, tasting and collecting stamps from around the World Showcase.  This time however, I completed my passport!  I tried at least one thing from every country!  The best thing from today's venture was definitely the Warm Chocolate Pudding with Bailey's Cream from Ireland, pretty decadent!
     We didn't stay into the evening this time however, because my parents still had a drive home in front of them.  So, after stalling for as long as possible in the hotel lobby, I had to say goodbye to them yet again.  I don't know that it will ever get easier!

"It's not goodbye, it's see ya real soon!" - Mickey Mouse

xoxo

Come Visit Me!

     I couldn't be more excited to start my program.  I must say "I wish I could go right now!" at least once a day.  Who could blame me?

      
     As excited as I may be, I know I'm going to get homesick and miss my friends and family.  So I'm hoping there will be visits!  If you'd like to come to Orlando, please let me know, and I can use my Cast Member friends and family discount on a hotel room, and on park tickets!  My fall program begins on August 12, 2013 and ends on January 3, 2014*, so I will be in Disney for the following events:

• Limited Time Magic  (2013)
• Year of the Ear  (2013)
• Night of Joy (September 6-7, 2013  7:30pm-1:00am) Separate Ticketed Event
• Unleash the Villains (September 13, 2013)
• Dapper Day  (September 21, 2013)
• Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Mile Run (October 5, 2013) Separate Ticketed Event
• Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party  (September 10, 13, 17, 20, 24, 27, 29, October 3, 4, 6, 10, 11, 14, 17, 18, 20, 22, 24, 25, 27, 29, 31, November 1, 2013)  Separate Ticketed Event
  
   Epcot International Food & Wine Festival  (September 27-November 11, 2013)
• Wine & Dine Half Marathon  (November 8-9, 2013)  Separate Ticketed Event
• Festival of the Masters   (November 8-10, 2013)
• Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party  (November 8, 11, 14, 15, 17, 21, 22, December 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 2013  7:00pm-Midnight) Separate Ticketed Event
  
• Candlelight Processional  (November 29-December 30, 2013)
• Holidays Around the World   (November 29-December 30, 2013)
• The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights  (Late November-December 2013)

     Whenever you decide to come, we will definitely have fun things to do!     

 

2013 Projected Crowds

If that Christmas magic is important to you (and it really is worth seeing), then try to come during November or late December** to avoid the crazy crowds.  There are also lots of other special things that go on during the holidays, such as festive parades, shows, dining, carriage rides, etc.  Disney really goes all out for the most wonderful time of the year!
For more information on crowds during my program, click HERE. 

Hope to see your smiling faces at Disney!

xoxo 



*  If I am able/choose to extend my program, this will change, and I could potentially stay through either May or August 2014.  Updates will be shared!      
  
**  EDIT 9/3:  Blackout Dates for Parks
Magic Kingdom
October: 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26
November: 1,, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22-30
December: 6, 7, 13, 14, 20-31
Epcot
November: 2, 9
December: December: 23-31
Hollywood Studios
November: 25-27, 29
December: 23-31
Animal Kingdom
December 23-30