We Are ‘Going’ to Walt Disney World: Disney at Home Style
When the whole world is shut down due to a global pandemic, you find yourself making the impossible, possible. For us that looked like bring the Most Magical Place on Earth to our very own home.
We are so happy you’ve decided to join along on our ‘Disney at Home’ adventure! So, buckle up, sit back, kick your feet up, and relax. It’s time to experience some magic!
First Stop Detroit-Metro Airport
Before jet setting off to Walt Disney World, we had to head through TSA at the Detroit-Metro airport. Thankfully, we had our super cool Mickey Mouse luggage all packed and tagged with our homemade Mickey Premium Bar Luggage tags.
The tags were handcrafted at home and are something you can make at home as well! Take a look at this post here to download the free template.
Disney at Home Stop 1: Epcot
We didn’t waste any time after hopping off of Disney’s Magical Express. The parks were our mission and we headed straight there!
Epcot became our first stop on our adventure. The Seas with Nemo and Friends is also a family friend favorite and is perfect for little ones.
The closest we could get to underwater adventure at home is in our bathroom (darn cold Michigan weather and no real pool!). Making that bathroom magical was a snap with the use of bathtub paint and few watercolor handmade decorations.
Add in bubbles and a giant seashell, and, baby, it’s a ‘Big Blue World’.
Mickey Pretzels: Disney Snacks are the Best
After our adventures on The Seas with Finding Nemo and Friends we had to grab a quick snack. We went with a classic option and devoured a few Mickey pretzels. The best part? These extra special pretzels were vegan, chocolate and covered in sprinkles! Plus, you can make them at home as well if you follow this link.
Epcot’s Jammitors: A Musical Tradition
If you’ve been to Epcot in the past, there is a good chance that you’ve run into the Jammitors. The Jammitors are a percussion group that plays in Future World West.
The trio whips up some sick beats on, get this, trash cans, and other random cleaning items. Their talent is obvious, even if their drum kits are a little bit off from the norm. If you ever have the chance to see them in the future, be sure to stop and watch the action unfold.
Lucky for us, the Jammitors were playing on the day we were at Epcot and the show, as usual, did not disappoint. The drum kits were even more unique, being made of recyclable items and random garden and garage tools.
Epcot Forever: A Nighttime Spectacular
After our ride, snack, and quick show, we settled in to watch the new Epcot Forever show. It was the perfect way to cap our first day at Walt Disney World.
If you’ve never been to a Walt Disney World show, be sure to arrive early. Even though there are a plethora of seats to watch around the World Showcase Lagoon at Epcot, it doesn’t hurt to get a seat closer up.
Plus, if you show up early and can snag a seat near the exit to the park, you might beat some of the crowd leaving at closing time.
Disney at Home Stop 2: Disney’s Animal Kingdom
As in classic Walt Disney World vacation fashion, there was no rest for the wicked here. After a quick (but restful) night at our hotel, we hopped back into action at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
First stop, Kilimanjaro Safari rides!
It was definitely a safari to remember as we were joined by an elephant and a rhinoceros on our safari truck! Initial freakouts aside, we discovered they were pretty chill. (If not a bit crabby from the Florida heat.) Plus, they really just wanted to see the lions sunbathing in the savannah. The Kilimanjaro Safari ride lets them do that safely!
Bugs ‘n’ Grubs Ice Cream Cone
Turns out the elephant and rhinoceros were correct, that Florida heat is intense. Best way to beat it? With ice cream of course!
Coming off of the Kilimanjaro Safari ride, we made a beeline for the Anadapur Ice Cream truck. Full of ice cream glory, it stands like an oasis of refreshment in one jungle of a park. After asking the cast member present at the counter if we could grab the (now) retro Bugs ‘n’ Grubs cone (which they graciously obliged), we dug in and cooled off.
Good news, even though this ice cream treat is technically off of the menu at Walt Disney World, you can make it at home. Check out this post here for all the (easy) details.
Disney at Home Stop 3: Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
Whew!
After two super busy days at two great Walt Disney World parks, we were ready for a little R ‘n’ R. With plans of a split stay, our first Disney World resort was Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort. Full of great photo opportunities, like the giant TV outside of the 101 Dalmatians section and larger than life characters, it’s a sure win for kids young (and old).
Bedtime Snack: Edible Cookie Dough
Considering this is vacation, there is no wrong time to have a sweet treat. Especially when it is accessible to you at basically all hours of the day. Super especially when it is formed into the shape of a hidden Mickey Mouse.
If you’ve never had edible cookie dough, let me be the first to tell you that you need to try it. Initially, I thought any cookie dough in mass quantity was going to be too sweet. I was wrong! It’s simply delicious and also another way you can make ‘Disney at Home’ happen.
Be sure to check out this post here for all the details.
Disney at Home Stop 4: Magic Kingdom and a Pirates League Makeover
Arghhh!! A pirates life for me and my crew! Our first stop in the Magic Kingdom was to Adventureland where we stopped at the Pirate League ride and experience.
We’ve never actually had the opportunity to experience a Pirate League Makeover in (actual) Walt Disney World so we knew we had to bring the magic home. It didn’t disappoint and we’ve been searching for treasures ever since.
Check out this post here to see how you can bring all the magic home as well.
Disney Snack Attack: Dole Whip and Dole Whip Float
Of course, y’all know we had to grab a Dole Whip on our trip. It’s become just a staple on our Walt Disney World vacations, so no trip would be complete without it!
Disney at Home Stop 5: Disney’s Grand Floridian
After our stay at Disney’s All-Star Movie Resort, we moved onto our stay at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort.
If you’re looking for a great resort to stay at that is near the Magic Kingdom, this is the resort for you. Located on the monorail line and within walking distance of Dole Whips (at the Poly), it basically has everything you would need to make your trip memorable!
If that’s not enough though, they have a great Disney Spa on the property and you can catch the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the beaches at night!
Breakfast at Disney’s Gasparilla Island Grill at Disney’s Grand Floridian
After a late evening of catching the fireworks from the beaches of the Grand Floridian, we had a slow-moving morning. (See how you can bring some fireworks home too right here.)
That’s okay though! We are all about the park hopping and the moving from one exciting adventure from the next, but it’s all about balance when you take a Walt Disney World vacation. Resort days are just as important as park days!
We grabbed our refillable Disney mugs and a few Mickey-shaped treats and eased into our day with happy hearts (and full bellies)!
Disney at Home Stop 6: Disney’s Hollywood Studios
No Disney vacation is complete with character meet-and-greets. Naturally, since we reside in a Star Wars loving family, we scheduled our meet-and-greet for Star Wars land.
I have to tell you though, I always thought Darth Vader was going to be a little bit taller than he was. Nothing against is height or anything, but it just seemed so much shorter in person than he was in the movies!
Capturing the Magic at Disney
Now, if you know me, you know I love taking a billion (not an exaggeration) photos at Walt Disney World. I just can’t (also won’t) be stopped!
Did you know there are a few photo spots that can’t be missed at Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Learn them all here.
Disney at Home Stop 7: Goofy’s Candy Co. at Disney Springs
No trip at Walt Disney World is complete without a stop at Goofy’s Candy Co. in Disney Springs.
Not only are the candy makers at Goofy’s Candy Co. truly artists, but they make the creations they whip up look completely effortless!
Let me tell you, with our Disney at Home adventures, the candy creations are not effortless. They, in fact, take a lot of work!
However, the work paid off and the treats were delicious!
Peace Out Walt Disney World: Disney’s Minnie Vans Transportation
Thank you, Walt Disney World for a magical adventure (with Disney at home). The weather was perfect, the crowds were non-existent (like seriously, there were no other people around), and the cast members made the vacation.
We will return again! For now, however, we will ride off into the sunset (back to the Orlando International Airport) in our own personal Minnie Van!
See ya real soon, Mickey!
***DISCLAIMER***
None of these adventures really took place at Walt Disney World, but all, as a matter of fact, took place in (the much less sunny state of) Michigan.
Obviously, you all knew that. Just wanted to make sure we were all back to reality.
Our adventures definitely brought the magic home while the parks are closed and help cure some of the ‘missing Disney’ blues. You should give it a try and let us know how you’ve brought the magic home during quarantine as well.
While you’re waiting for the magic to come back to Central Florida, be sure to check out these posts (and this one and this one) on capturing the best pictures at Walt Disney World. This way once you are in the parks again, you’ll know just how to capture the magic.
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