Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from 2016

Featured Post

Walt Disney World Parks: The Basics

Are you planning a trip to Walt Disney World? Or just want to learn more about the parks and don't know where to start? Disney Darling breaks down the basics for you! Disneyland vs. Walt Disney World Disneyland and Disney World are two different parks, located on opposite sides of the country. As mentioned in this post , it is a common misconception that Disneyland and Disney World are the same thing.  Disneyland is the first Disney theme park ever, opening in 1955. It is located in Anaheim, California, near Los Angeles.  Disneyland has two different parks: Disneyland Park (with the castle), and Disney's California Adventure (or DCA). Disneyland also has three hotels and the Downtown Disney shopping district.  Walt Disney World is located in Bay Lake, Florida, near Orlando. It opened in 1971, after Walt's passing. Walt Disney World has 4 different theme parks, 2 water parks, 28 hotels, and the Disney Springs shopping district.  There are quite a few more differences, but lo

Top 5 Lines Your Child Won't Mind Waiting In

     The only thing more famous than Walt Disney World's attractions are the wait times for the attractions. Wait times for a simple ride can be several hours long during the height of summer, Christmas week and spring break. Children tend to be very impatient. A meltdown halfway to the loading dock is something that no one wants to encounter on their vacation. However, Disney has mastered the art of queues. Waiting is inevitable. But there are things like interactive games and decorations that make the waiting more bearable, especially for kids. Here are Disney Darling's Top 5 lines that your child might not mind waiting in...or at least might not lose their mind waiting in.  5. The Seas with Nemo and Friends The Seas has the best queue line in all of EPCOT. The queue is indoors, meaning you will be shielded from both Florida's hot sun and Florida's rain showers. There is air conditioning. The thememing is really cool, making it seem as if you are venturing deepe

RIP Osborne Lights

The Osborne Family Spectacular of Dancing Lights was the most magical place to be at Walt Disney World during Christmas. It started in the 80's, when a rich business man from Little Rock started decorating his house with Christmas lights, which is what most people do. And every year, the family kept adding more and more lights. After 10 years since they began decorating, the Osborne yard featured over one million lights. Of course, it was a sight to be seen. There were a lot of traffic problems as the lights grew in popularity. The family faced a lawsuit, filed by neighbors. The family responded by adding three million more lights. The case went all the way to the Arkansas state Supreme Court, who eventually shut down the lights. The new traveled from Little Rock to Orlando. Say what you want about the Disney company, but when they're presented with a good opportunity, they take it. In 1995, the Osborne Lights went up on the Residential Streets, part of the Backlot Tour in Ho

5 Disney Movies To Watch During Finals

Finals is the most stressful part of both college and high school. It is important to not stress out too much, though. So, in an effort to retain some sanity during this time, why not relax with some Disney movies after studying? Mulan   If Mulan can save all of China, you can pass your algebra test. The Emperor's New Groove With all the stress finals cause, you'll need a good laugh. The Emperor's New Groove is the perfect Disney movie for when you just need to laugh. The Sword in The Stone "It's up to you how far you go. If you don't try, you'll never know". Who wouldn't want to take lessons with Merlin and Archimedes as their teachers? Peter Pan Because nothing makes you want to fly away to Neverland more than finals week.   Monsters University Because this movie teaches us that failing out of college isn't the end of the world.

Are the Disney Princesses Good Role Models? Part 4: Ariel

     The Little Mermaid has captured hearts of millions from the moment she made a big splash on the silver screen in the legendary year of 1989. She started the Disney Renaissance, amazed critics, and brought home Academy Awards, Golden Globes and a Grammy. She is all over the Disney parks, with her castle in the Magic Kingdom, a fountain in Shanghai, a themed land in Tokyo, and two rides in the USA. Children adore her, boys admire her, millennial women have a strong nostalgia for her. She is funny, outgoing and, according to some, a "feminist's worst nightmare".       Ariel is one of the most adored of all the Disney Princesses, and is also the most heavily criticized. There are so many arguments to be made both for her and against her that I have had spent months trying to conceive this article. So, let's dive right into it. Is Ariel a good role model?      One criticism is that she disobeyed her father, and was rewarded for it in the end. This could be conc

Quick Tips for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

  If seeing the shows are your top priority, camp out in front of the Cinderella Castle. The Castle lighting ceremony, Mikey's Most Merriest Celebration will be on the castle stage. The parade route circles the hub. And of course the castle will be the focal point of the firework show. Grab a spot early on, and have a member of your group go grab snacks for everyone from Starbucks or the Confectionery.  Wait to take pictures until late at night, after the firework show. There will be less of line. And less people in the background of your shots.  Some pictures you may want to take at the party are along Main Street, in front of the Christmas tree, in front of the castle, on the sleigh in front of Ye Old Christmas Shop, and in front of the train station, The second parade at 11:00 is usually a lot less crowded than the first parade.  If character meet and greets are your top priority, make sure to get in line 10-15 minutes before the character's scheduled be

Top 5 Sweet Treats at WDW

5. Mickey Ice Cream Bar  4. Strawberry Waffles at Sleepy Hallow  3. Mickey Rice Krispie Treats 2. Dole Whip 1. Cinnamon Roll at Gaston's Tavern

Top 5 Rides That Are Better At Night

5. Test Track This ride is mostly indoors, but everyone's favorite part where the car tests speed goes outside. And zooming over guest's heads at night with the track all lit up in neon is very cool experience. 4. The Jungle Cruise I have ridden the Jungle Cruise at all times of the day: first thing in the morning, at sunset, at night, in the afternoon...and nighttime is my favorite. The atmosphere is very different and adds to the feeling that you really are in the middle of a jungle. The dark may make it more difficult to see what your boat will encounter next, but that just adds to the surprise and excitement. 3. The People Mover All of Tommorrowland is just better at nighttime. The neon lights and stars overhead can make you feel like you are in outterspace. All of Tomorrowland becomes more vibrant and exciting at night. The People Mover takes you all around that land to see just how stellar it is. 2. Dumbo Why would you ride Dumbo during any other

What Should You Do If Your Child Gets Lost At Walt Disney World?

The thought of losing a child at Walt Disney World is a terrifying one. The parks are so big, and there are so many people. Luckily, park employees are trained on how to safely handle the situation. There are also some things you can do as a parent to help prepare your child.  Tips for Parents: Stay Calm I know, losing your child in such a crowded, big, unfamiliar place is terrifying. But please try to remain calm. I once encountered a woman who lost her child in the Magic Kingdom. She was hysterically crying and screaming. Guests and Cast Members were trying to help her out, but she just kept screaming at them. This is helping no one. Crying and screaming will not help you find your child. So take a deep breath. Cast Members are specially trained to handle this exact situation. They know exactly what to do and will help you out. You will find your child. Find the Nearest CM Go into the nearest gift shop and find a Cast Member. I suggest gift shops because usually gift s

Eating Healthy at WDW

Grab a snack at a produce stand There is at least one produce stand in every park. Here you will find fresh fruits, granola bars, juice, carrot sticks, sweet potato chips among other healthy options.  Anaheim Produce - Sunset Boulevard, near the Tower of Terror Harambe Fruit Market - in Africa, near Kilimanjaro Safaris Liberty Square Market - by the Hall of Presidents Prince Eric's Village Market - across from Ariel's castle The Land Cart - between the Land Pavilion and the Imagination Pavilion Substitute water for soda You should be doing this anyways at Walt Disney World to avoid dehydration from the Florida humidity. Soda will dehydrate you. And water i s cheaper than soda.  It's a win-win-win. Check menus before visiting The My Disney Experience App and Walt Disney World's website have menus to all the restaurants and food stands on property. Use this technology to inform yourself on what places serves what food. Make decisions where to eat based o

My Disney Parks Adventure List

This is a list of all the things I wish to do at the Disney Parks around the world. Walt Disney World Animal Kingdom Ride Kali River Rapids See DAK at night Ride the sunset safari Watch Rivers of Light Watch Awakens Eat at Yak and Yeti Full Service Eat at Tusker House Explore Pandora Try an alcoholic Dole Whip EPCOT Ride the new Soarin' Around the World Experience Turtle Talk with Crush Ride Journey Into Imagination Eat at Coral Reef Explore Innoventions Drink around the world Experience Flower and Garden Festival Eat at San Angel Full Service Ride the new Frozen Ever After Ride Meet Anna and Elsa Meet Aladdin and Jasmine Meet Baymax Ride Test Track with my boyfriend Eat at Le Cellier Steakhouse (again) Eat at Rose and Crown Pub Hollywood Studios Explore Toy Story Land Explore Star Wars Land See Fantasmic as much as possible See Beauty and the Beast Live Ride Toy Story Midway Mania with my dad See the Indiana Jones show Eat at Sci-Fi

Ranking of Starbucks

Please note that this is not to knock Starbucks or Walt Disney World or the Cast Members that work in the Starbucks. All of these locations are wonderful. This is just an opinion piece, and is meant in light hearted nature. 6. Marketplace - Disney Springs This is meant as a "grab and go" place, so I will not be taking off points for no seating. The Starbucks is in a good location as it is right next to the stage where music and games are played. However, lines can build rather quickly and it is a bit of a walk from both the parking garage and the bus drop-off.  It is located between World of Disney, the biggest shop on property so this location can become very crowded. There is no themeing to this location - it just looks like a regular Starbucks kiosk.  5. Fountain View - EPCOT EPCOT's Starbucks location is ranked low mostly because of theming. It's a gray and white colors are less futuristic and more boring. There is some seating outside, but it is