Gaahh!! I knew that looking at Disney things over the summer would be bad. My obsessive personality and inability to understand anything but [nearly] instant gratification is not a good combination when we are away from things I love/want/do not know how to live without. Yes, Disney World would be one of those things and, yes, I am ready to hop on a plane for a quick trip and Disney fix. Really, we could be back in two days and in the scheme of things what is two days?! Thankfully, I have not looked at any of the info for the Harry Potter expansion at Universal Studios. That could lead to some very impulsive buying and some pretty guild ridden buyer's remorse.
Ok, get it together Jenni. We can go more than two months without visiting Disney or Universal Studios. For any of you who are able to visit Disney World over summer vacations, these are some little extras that I would not pass up doing
Fast Pass+ for Anna and Elsa
If you have children YOU MUST DO THIS. Anna and Elsa are a pretty big deal right now and lines to meet them range from 2-4 hours at both EPCOT and Magic Kingdom. Fast Passes for this means that you will be able to meet them with only waiting 20 minutes. Then, you meet them, your children talk with them, pictures are taken, and you may even cry with happiness at seeing how in awe your kiddos are of these characters. Don't laugh, it has happen many a time before.
If, you are not able to log on to your Disney experience and get Fast Pass+ for this event (they sell out like months in advance), my best advice would either be to not tell your kids they could meet these characters, or, bring an iPad with some movies and games pre-loaded. Perhaps Frozen for some pre-meet and greet fun!
Downtown Disney Co-Op
Go here, go here, go here. This new Downtown Disney store is one of the first stores to open under the new Disney Springs reconstruction. I have not yet been here, but from everything I have been hearing, we will be going when we get back, for sure.
The store is separated into multiple mini stores that change depending on what is popular at that time. Right now there is a tech area with self customized phone covers called D-tech (I need this), accessories at Cherry Tree Lane, (I need this), a clothing area focusing on cute clothing for teen girls called Zoe and Pickles, Beautiful Disney with exclusive Disney make-up, sports memorabilia at The Trophy Room, and theme park themed kitchenware in the center. A family could easily spend all night here or just long enough for your table to be ready at a nearby restaurant.
LeFou's Brew
Let's face it, Orlando gets H-O-T over the summer, it also has torrential downpours that can last anywhere for 2-minutes to 45+. If you are stuck at Magic Kingdom during this time and are either too hot to bear it or ducking from rain drops as big as your fist, stop by Gaston's Tavern in New Fantasyland. LeFou's brew can be found here and is, pretty much, an iced apple cider with mango frosting on the top. I am not personally a fan of the mango bit, but the iced cider is fantastic!
The tavern is also a great place to sit and relax, cool down, and enjoy some off time before hitting the parks all over again.
EPCOT Late Nights
Why EPCOT did not think of this sooner, I simply do not know. Now, instead of heading home promptly at 9:00 PM when the park closes, you can pay a little extra and stay in the parks visiting the different restaurants in the World Showcase. There will be four lounges open in the World Showcase for this Late Night Wind Down. The cost is $35 per person and can be reserved in advance by calling the Disney reservations line.
If you are wanting to go to this, I would highly recommend getting reservations ahead. This EPCOT addition is not super popular yet, but chances are that it will start selling out quite soon. Those who are not crazy interested in alcoholic beverages would probably not get too much out of the extra price since most lounges are catered around drinks. That being said, having the kiddos along would not be super advisable either.
Festival of The Lion King
The Festival of The Lion King show was recently closed down so it could move from the Camp Minnie Mickey location to it's new spot in Animal Kingdom's Africa. Although the show is the same, the theater is different and the setting seems much more fitting. This is also a free show that is ridiculously fun for every age range. Really, what those acrobats do will leave more than your two-year-old awe struck. Be sure to watch the monkeys a bit extra during this show, they are my favorite!
