WIN this Origami Owl Locket designed with Disney in mind!

We've got another fun contest lined up for you! Have you ever heard of Origami Owl? I hadn't until just recently. Cheney Gadrim is a designer for Origami Owl and is providing a beautiful locket containing 4 charms that will certainly hold some Disney meaning to you ~ a camera, flip-flops, "family" heart, and a pink princess crown! The locket pictured on the red flowers below is the one Cheney has ready to give away to one lucky winner! The other lockets you see are just a few examples of the many lockets Cheney can design for you.

To enter this contest, simply use the Rafflecopter form below. Be sure to check out Cheney's website and facebook page too! This contest begins at 12:01 a.m. Friday, May 17th and ends at 11:59 p.m. Thursday, May 23rd, 2013.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: Cheney Gadrim is willing to work with the winner in exchanging charms or adding on other options. Please be aware that making changes or additions to your prize, may result in a charge - which will be disclosed up front. The current locket is ready to be sent to the winner "as is." Should the winner request changes to be made, this could likely delay the delivery time of the prize (as the additional accessories will need to be ordered.)

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The Key is Under the Mat

Guests visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios know when they have reached the Miss Piggy fountain that the Muppet Vision 3-D show’s entrance is just beyond it. Most guests follow the crowds and wiggle their way into the pre-show holding area. Televisions entertain some guests while others take time to look at all of the Muppet memorabilia that is stored inside this makeshift Muppet storage warehouse. 

However, many guests walk right past the security room just to the right of the entrance turnstile. The guard has left a sign hanging on the door that reads, “Back in 5 minutes. Key is under mat.”

Is there really a key? Guests taking the time to walk around the turn style and lift up the mat will find out if the guard really left the key out for them or not.

Kristin Zarchan is a travel agent for Pixie Vacations. She is the mom to three wonderful children including a special needs son. She has traveled to either Disney World or Disneyland once a year for the past 20 years. She fell in love with Epcot when a friend’s family took her to Disney for the first time when she was 14. Her favorite ride both then and now is the Haunted Mansion. You can follow Kristin on twitter or facebook.

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Off the Map and Behind the Magic: Part Two - The Family Magic Tour (Magic Kingdom)

What could make the Most Magical Place on Earth even more magical? The Family Magic Tour at the Magic Kingdom, of course! The storyline and experiences on this tour may vary depending upon weather, group size, crowd size, refurbishment schedules, tour guide and individual requests. Typically, Captain Hook is trying to take over the park because Peter Pan stole his favorite hook! It is up to you to save the park by finding where Peter has hidden it! To do this you will have to put on your thinking caps. A map helps guide your quest, but you must solve its riddles and participate in its challenges to find a hidden treasure. You have to keep a sharp eye out, you never know where a pirate might be hiding... or who you might run into! Make sure that you keep your cameras ready! There are great photo ops with the children, but there are also little bits of Disney magic everywhere you turn.

This two hour scavenger hunt is available to children of all ages and each child under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. The tour leaves from the Chamber of Commerce Building (next door to City Hall) daily at 10:00 a.m. Advanced reservations are highly suggested but there may be some limited availability on a walk up basis. Tickets are $34 per person, regardless of age and you must have a ticket for entry into the Magic Kingdom Park.

Young children will be engaged by the riddles and activities. Older children and adults should take the opportunity to ask questions of their tour guide. These guides are a wealth of Disney knowledge, history and trivia. Remember, every detail at Disney is intentional, and so there are countless stories to be told. This tour would be the perfect way to start a trip, celebrate a special event, create a special memory with grandparents or simply see “the World” from a different perspective.

Have you and your family ever taken the Family Magic Tour? Share your experiences with us!

Next time we will take a walk on the wild side and explore tour options for Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park!

Maggie Madere has always dreamed of working for Disney. With her travel company, Moments with Mickey Travel, she can do just that! Specializing in travel to and through Disney Destinations she can help you make the most of your Moments with Mickey! Find Maggie on Facebook! Maggie@EnchantedEarsTravel -- an independent agent of Enchanted Ears Travel.

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Win a Customized Disney Video Featuring Your Two Favorite Rides and Three Disney Characters

Our friends over at DisneyDose.com are running an awesome new contest where the prize is a customized Disneyland video featuring you. Gavin Doyle, Editor of DisneyDose.com, came up with the idea when he was reading other Disney websites and saw one of their countdown to Disneyland buttons. These buttons counting down the days until a Disneyland trip might be fun for the blog owner, but most readers would simply want to go themselves and forget all about the bloggers upcoming trip. 

With this contest, Gavin wants to make his readers care about his upcoming trip to Disneyland. He is going to bring the winner of the contest with him (in spirit). The winner of the contest will win a video featuring two of their favorite Disneyland attractions and greetings from three Disneyland meet and greet characters. 

For more information and to enter go here. 

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Off the Map and Behind the Magic: Part One - Introduction

So you have done the rope drop, the fireworks, the parades and the character meet and greets. You can tell others where every restroom, water fountain and electrical plug is on the map? You have ridden every ride maybe 100 times and have seen every show there is to see. You even know what time the 3 o’clock parade is held! Maybe it is time for you to put the map aside and step behind the magic into some of the lesser known experiences at the Walt Disney World Resort Parks.

Disney offers more than a dozen ways to experience the parks like never before! In this series of articles I will explain and explore the Backstage Tour Experiences available at the Walt Disney World Resorts to help you decide if you would like to go add them to your next visit! Each experience has a different duration, location and focus. Each also has its own set of rules. Disney is very careful about lifting the magic curtain and letting you see inside.

Magic Kingdom Tour Guide

Because of this, most experiences have restrictions on age and on photography. But even without a picture, the memories can last a lifetime!

Look for discussions of these tours throughout the series:

• Family Magic
• The Magic Behind Our Steam Trains
• Keys to the Kingdom
• Walt Disney: Marceline to Magic Kingdom
• Behind the Seeds  
• Dolphins in Depth
• DiveQuest
• Seas Aqua
• Gardens of the World
• Backstage Safari
• The UnDISCOVERed Futureworld
• Wild Africa Trek
• Wild by Design
• Backstage Magic
• Holiday D-Lights (seasonal)
• Joy from the World (seasonal)

First up will be one for the whole family. Disney’s Family Magic Tour!

Maggie Madere has always dreamed of working for Disney. With her travel company, Moments with Mickey Travel, she can do just that! Specializing in travel to and through Disney Destinations she can help you make the most of your Moments with Mickey! Find Maggie on Facebook! Maggie@EnchantedEarsTravel -- an independent agent of Enchanted Ears Travel.

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Fun (and Unique!) Photo Ideas

After travelling to WDW a few times you will have collected a very impressive collection of awesome photos of your adventures. Photos in front of the castle, photos with Mickey and Minnie, photos in front of the Tree of Life...there is no lack of beautiful images to capture but if you're looking for some different ideas, look no further! Check out these unique photo ops to enhance your next Disney album.

1. Almost every area at WDW has unique garbage cans. Next time you visit, take special notice of the details that are put into the design. Each will match the area you are in so well that you hardly notice they are there, until you need one, of course! While you are stopping to admire the details don't forget to get a little photo evidence while you're at it!

 2. Garbage cans not your thing? Why not try benches instead! When you take note of benches you will find that the detail in the design is very unique. Each area at WDW boasts it's own themed benches so why not take a break (have a Mickey bar?) and snap a photo while you're at it. You can also play a fun game of "where am I sitting" upon your return since most benches have no signage. You'll need to rely on your memory and Disney Trivia prowess to win.

3. If you visit WDW with kids frequently, a fun way to document their growth and change is by taking the same photo every year. Have your kids strike a funny pose and then recreate it during each visit. What you will get is a funny progression of photos that are sure to make you smile. You can also do this as a family!

4. If you are using the Disney Photopass photographers to capture some of your memories, don't forget to ask them for a "picture surprise." The photographer will have you stand and pose in a specific way and when you view your photo later it will have a surprise waiting for you!

5. Have you noticed that each merchandise shop has an assortment of hats just waiting for you to try them on? Next time, don't pass this photo opportunity by! Throw on a hat, take a picture and don't forget to invite your family and friends in on the fun! Sometimes the most memorable photos are the ones where Grandad is wearing the Goofy hat!

6. Another neat "collection" photo idea is to take a photo of you and your friends wearing the varied assortment of 3D glasses you get at attractions throughout the park. The "It's Tough to be a Bug" attraction, for instance, has "bug eyes" instead of regular glasses ~ A fun twist that makes for a great photo! Don't forget your camera at Disney Quest for this task! This indoor "park" has several 3D attractions.

So there you have it! Some fun and unique photo ideas to try on your next vacation. Have you ever taken some fun, unique, silly or crazy shots on your Disney vacation? Tell us about them in the comments below!
~Kati

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Dining Review: The Good, the Not-so-Bad and the Ugly - Part Six, More Not-so-Bad and the Ugly

As much as I want to love each and every dining experience in my favorite place, Walt Disney World, reality slaps my face in the form of medicore sushi, salty British food and a sad buffet. But the good news is that all three make my list that border "Not-so-Bad" and "Ugly." Sadly though, all three are at Epcot, which I consider the dining mecca in WDW. Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy ride!

First up, the "Not-so-Bad...."

Katsura Grill, Japan - Japan is one of my favorite counties in World Showcase at Epcot. It’s tranquil and beautifully detailed. Tucked away in a back corner through winding garden paths and a koi pond is a quick service restaurant. We stopped here for a quick bite of sushi. I’ve been here before and knew that the sushi is pretty tame here compared to your typical sushi place. However, I felt this trip the sushi was modified even more for the less-than-adventurous palate. We shared a spicy tuna roll with matcha (green tea) cheesecake. I am very sensitive to spicy foods and often ask my local sushi place to make it less spicy for me but Disney’s version of spicy was nonexistent. As for the cheesecake, besides a slight hue of green, there was no trace of matcha in there. I want to love it here because it the surroundings are so beautiful but the food just doesn’t cut if for this sushi lover. This is coming from someone who could eat sushi daily if it wasn't so expensive AND keeps a jar of matcha in her cupboard.  Rating C+

Rose & Crown Pub, United Kingdom – It had been several years since my last visit that I enjoyed dining here. I had timed the reservation close to Illuminations, Epcot’s night time firework show. When I checked in I requested a patio seat to view the show but it was a 45 minute wait that wasn’t guaranteed. The hostess noted that many people already seated would probably not leave those seats (this was an hour and a half before the show). We still sat outside under the covered patio and had limited viewing for Illuminations. Take note there is a separate viewing area for Rose & Crown guests that has a great view and you will be escorted to if asked.

We started with a Scotch Egg, a fried hard-boiled egg wrapped in sausage meat, which was pretty tasty, even the baby liked it. We also tried a side order as an appetizer, Bubble and Squeak. Bubble and Squeak is a concoction of potatoes and cabbage covered in a brown sauce. The veggies were bland and the brown sauce was too salty. We all passed on it. For our main courses we had the Grilled Salmon with veggies and the Grilled Tenderloin and Fried Fish, served with Yorkshire pudding, potatoes and veggies. The general consensus was that everything was extremely salty here. The highlight of the meal was the fried fish, it was light, crispy and delicious. Everything else was better left on the plate. For dessert we tried the Sticky Toffee Pudding, which I know is a fan favorite. It is essentially sponge cake covered in a toffee sauce and is incredibly sweet. We all agreed it was just ok, just overwhelmingly sweet. (This coming from someone who eats chocolate for breakfast – sometimes….).

This is another place, in my opinion, you go for the experience, not the food. It probably has the best views of Illuminations anywhere in Epcot. As an added bonus, don't forget the Hat Lady singing and playing the piano indoors. She treated my daugther to a song while we were there! Rating  C+

Ok, brace yourselves - it's time for the "Ugly." Just one restaurant the entire trip earned this categorization. I want to like this place, really I do, I even had a awesome experience once before. But this time the food just killed it. I'm hoping it was an off night since I know it's a fan favorite. Drum roll please....

Biergarten, Germany – I’m throwing up my white peace flag here but perhaps our biggest dining disappointment was the Biergarten on this trip. I thought it would be a lot of fun to experience German food and the Oompah band, having had a great visit once before. All of us, including myself, my fiancé, his 12 year old son and my fiancé’s father visiting us for the night, did not enjoy the food at all. Between the four of us we tried pretty much everything. We found the food to be tough, over-salted and sitting under the heaters for too long. The oompah band played for only about ten minutes for the hour plus we were there so that was a big disappointment as well. The setting is beautiful but I’d really love to forget that meal. There was not one item I can say any of us enjoyed. Rating D

There you have it, that concludes my dining experience, the good, the not-so-bad and the ugly. This trip was a learning experience for me and opened my eyes to some great new dishes and places. It also knocked Le Cellier out of my first place spot as my favorite restaurant and Be Our Guest took over. I hope you enjoyed the reviews as much as I enjoyed writing them. Bon Appetit!

View more articles from The Good, the Not-so-Bad and the Ugly Dining Series by Danielle:

Part One: Introduction

Part Two: The Good (at Magic Kingdom)

Part Three: More Good (at EPCOT)

Part Four: The Rest of the Good
Part Five: Not-so Bad...

Part Six: More Not-so-Bad and the Ugly

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Book Review: Lots To Do In Line: Walt Disney World

This weekend I was lucky enough to review a brand new book, Lots To Do In Line: Walt Disney World written by Meredith Lyn Pierce. This isn't just an ordinary Walt Disney World guidebook. It is a guide designed to help parents (and grown ups!) survive all of the lines at Walt Disney World. When I first saw the title of this book, I assumed this was a book written for parents of small children to offer advice for how to deal with cranky children. I was wrong! This book is filled with fun activities to bring Disney magic to kids and adults throughout their Disney vacation.

Lots To Do In Line is broken down by park and offers a variety of games to keep you entertained at most of the attractions at the park.

1. Challenging Questions - As you walk through each line, you'll be give multiple choice questions to answer about items that can be seen in the line. Questions are presented in the order you will see items in the park. (She even notes which things can be seen from FastPass lines.)
2. Treasure Hunts - Treasure Hunts give you a list of items specific to each attraction to look for while waiting in line.
3. Collections - Collections are great for any time at Disney World. Pierce suggests looking for items like crazy backpacks, waterfalls or clock towers. See how many you can find throughout the day or for a specific amount of time.
4. Pop Quizzes - Pop quizzes direct you to look at a specific item (like a sign) before getting in line. While waiting in line you answer as many questions about that item as you can remember.

Pierce turns all of these questions and treasure hunts into a game by giving points for each item you find or each question they answer correctly. There is even a space in the book to keep track of points.

I was incredibly impressed with Lots To Do In Line: Walt Disney World and think it will be a great addition to any trip to Walt Disney World. Adults and children will enjoy the games and will see things that even the biggest Disney fan may not have noticed. I highly recommend it! For those Disneyland fans, there is also Lots To Do In Line: Disneyland.  

How do you keep entertained while waiting at Walt Disney World? I'll be playing games the next time we visit Disney!

Amy

Disclaimer: We received a free review copy of Lots To Do In Line: Walt Disney World. Our reviews are not influenced by receiving a review copy, nor are we compensated any other way for reviewing books. We may provide affiliate links where books can be purchased, but do this of our own volition.

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