The 5 Worst People You'll Find in Disney World

I love Walt Disney World so, so much. It's my happy place. But for others, it's the place where nightmares come true. It's crowded, there are giant groups of people (and when people get in groups, there's no telling what can happen), and ya know, it's hot and filled with screaming children. And while this may seem like a mean-spirited idea for a blog post, it's simply my response to one of the most common questions I get regarding my love affair with Disney: "How do you deal with all of those people?" Well, it's a fair question, since I've been known to have small freak-outs when crowded by too many people. For starters, there's a big difference between large groups of vacation-goers, and hordes of drunk people at a bar. I'm not oblivious to the annoyances of the most-traveled vacation spot in the U.S. (it ranks up there in the world, too). As a matter of fact, since my last trip to see The Mouse, I've been thinking about this quite a bit. So, here are the five most annoying types of people you'll find in Disney - and some tips on how to deal with them.

The competitor

The competitor is the person who, for whatever reason, feels the need to push and shove to the front of each and every line. They'll break up your party, get too close for comfort to brush past you, and generally just create moments of tension...all to most likely end up on the same ride vehicle as you anyway. There are a lot of opportunities around Walt Disney World where this can happen. Rock n' Roller Coaster, for example, is a big one. You wait in line for 30-40 minutes only to be grouped in a room where there is no line, and then you move out to another line, before you finally catch your limo. The competitor will make sure to push his or her way through this crowd to be the first in line. What are these people so anxious for? Is it really that big of a deal that they beat everyone? How do you deal? While this clearly gets my blood boiling, and believe me, it does, here's my way of dealing with it: Just hang back. Seriously. Who cares if you're the last person out of the room? What, it's going to take an extra 5-10 minutes out of your day? Enjoy the wait. Have a conversation with your family or whoever you're traveling with. You'll be on the ride soon enough, and it'll be over in 2.5 minutes anyway.

The White Rabbit

I'm late! I'm late! Similar to the competitor, these are the folks who are always in a rush, frantically dashing around each park to get to the next ride. They push, and shove, and sprint, so they can trim 10 minutes off of their next 90 minute wait at Toy Story Mania. Dude, chill. I mean seriously, go with the flow. How can you expect to enjoy one of the greatest places on earth if you're just running all the time? How do you deal? I feel bad for them. Either they couldn't book a long enough vacation, or they just don't know how to enjoy themselves. Going to Disney World isn't about making sure you hit all the big rides (and if you've booked a week, you'll be fine and then some). It's about enjoying the atmosphere, stopping to smell the roses, taking note of the small detail that makes these parks stand apart from the competitors that will never, ever compare. Grab your loved one by the hand, stroll around, and laugh at all the people who look so stressed out. Need a vacation from your vacation? You aren't doing it right.

Parents with strollers

This is a really bad one, and by no means does this mean all parents take part in this. But let's set the scene: You're in Fantasyland. The world has gone mad. Seriously, it's like, every child on the planet is here. It's difficult to wade your way through the crowd. But then, what's this? A crazy person with a stroller coming right at you? Yup, it happens, all too often, I'm afraid. Parents, please don't use your children as weapons. I know you think it seems like no one is going to stand in the way of a stroller, but you're terrifying your child, and you're being reckless. Stop it. How do you deal? I honestly don't have a great suggestion on how to deal with this, because, who the heck wants to get hit by a stroller holding a crying kid? The parents probably fall under categories 1 and 2 above, and think they have a pass because they're pushing around a siren on wheels. Just get the heck out of the way, maybe utter a few curse words under your breath to feel better, and get on with your day. 

The smokers

First of all, ew. Like I know somehow the 1950's made smoking look sexy, but it's been sixty years, and now it's disgusting. Disney has graciously made smoking sections available to those who feel the need to do so. It's really unpleasant for non-smokers to have to walk behind someone puffing away and clogging up your fresh air. Friend, this is a clean shirt. I'm wearing new perfume, and just might be carrying a kid with lungs I'd like to keep clean. Do not stink us up with your habit. You're probably a really lovely person, and I'm sorry for being so rude. Please just do that in your designated spot. How do you deal? Travelers, if you're ever stuck in this situation, you can do one of two things: Move away as fast as possible, or, if you're stuck in a crowd, start coughing. Like, a lot. They can't be mad at you, because they're not supposed to be smoking there anyway. Unless of course you accidentally stumbled into the designated smoking area, and then you'll just feel really bad. 

The unsupervised children

This one doesn't bother me personally as much, but I've seen many a parent roll their eyes. Let's face it, kids tend to get a little rambunctious when they're with a group of friends, and they're feeling independent and ballsy. Disney may have actually taken care of this one for you. It was recently announced that all children under the age of 14 cannot enter the park without a parent or guardian. This probably won't solve the problem of kids getting rowdy and acting like punks, but it's a step in the right direction. How do you deal? It's kind of annoying yes, but didn't you ever act like that? These kids want to cut loose and hang with their friends, away from their parents. If they've recently picked up some choice words from the English language and they're touting them around your 5-year-old, we've got a problem. But in most cases, they're harmless kids. Annoying, harmless kids. Unless they're wearing Heelys. Then permission to bring the pain granted. 

How do you deal with crowd-created frustrations in Disney World? Have you ever had a bad experience? Would love to hear from you.

Happy, stress-free traveling! 

Disney on the Web, Week of March 31

Hit the links with this week's Disney happenings on the Web.

Buzzfeed gives us a look inside what it's like to be the luckiest person in the world.

This one's perfect because it mixes elements of my day job with my obsession love of Disney. Looking for a ring to match your favorite Disney princess?

Disney Parks Blog give us a first look at Stars Wars Weekend moichandise. I like the hat.

Longtime Disney editor Norman Palmer has died at 94.

First sightings of the Iron Man 3 monorail, branded with Stark Industries.

Did you know that all of these 90's sitcoms went to Disney World? T.G.I.F.

Excuse me, parents, but Mickey Mouse is not your damn babysitter.

In other somewhat creepy news, VHI has ranked the top 20 sexiest Disney animals.

On the human front, here are 11 stars who shed their Disney image.

Buzzfeed poses the question: Are these Disney movies racist? Does anyone care?

Great article from PR Daily: 3 Types of Content That Drive Disney's Blog.

Selena and Vanessa who? This Spring Breakers stars the Disney Princesses, and it's so wrong.

Now-married couple in the same Disney World photo 15 years before they met. Disney destiny?

Buzzfeed's 12 questions for Beauty and the Beast will poke holes in your favorite movie.

Minnie Mouse gets a Lanvin makeover and she is fabulous!

Man's annoyance with It's a Small World elevated to medical meltdown, Disney pays $8,000.

Well, here's one way to teach anatomy to your kids. No seriously, do not show this to them.

And finally, can anyone please confirm if this amazingness is true?

The 5 Best Dishes From the 2012 Food & Wine Festival (The Better Late Than Never Edition)

A note on the new year: I know the dangers of declaring New Year's resolutions on January 1, but in an effort to maintain a happier, better me, I've decided that, along with the traditional "I will work out and lose 20 pounds this year" spiel, I will also make more of an effort to fill my life with more Disney, hence the reason I started this blog in the first place. I make excuses since my professional life has been so fulfilling, I don't find much need to come home and write more after a long day. But darnit, it's what I love. And as you may have noticed, I always have plenty to say. So, now that I've gotten that out of the way, a happy and healthy new year to all, and here we go!

This is painfully late, somewhat embarrassingly so, but having had an amazing experience at the Epcot Food & Wine Festival this year (or last year, my goodness it's 2013!) I just had to tell you about it. Take a look at what I think were the 5 best eats from the gorge-fest that is the Food & Wine Festival.

Grilled lamb chop with mint pesto and potato crunchies, Australia

I'd hardly consider myself a meat person. In fact, if you had asked me before digging into this dish if I liked lamb, I probably would have said no way. The lamb dish from the Australia booth changed all that in just a few bites. The combination of the salty, crispy potato crunchies (read: crumbled up chips) paired with the zest of the mint pesto was enough to make my taste buds dance. And the lamb itself was cooked perfectly, and not at all fatty or too "meaty," as my sometimes-vegetarian self would say. It was just so perfectly yum.

Mongolian beef in a steamed bun, China

Any way you slice it, one of the dishes from China was bound to be a favorite. Of the three, it just so happened to be the Mongolian beef bun. Here we go again with the meat - but this was tender, and it wasn't the main ingredient that had our tongues wagging. It was the tangy spicy sauce, the crunchy noodles that I rarely eat a salad without, and the slightly sweet bun that made this dish. This paired with China's Happy Lychee vodka concoction, and we were pretty happy indeed. 

Kahlua pork slider with pineapple chutney and spicy mayonnaise, Hawaii

All of the hub-bub about Hawaii's famous pork sliders was 100 percent accurate. The pairing of spicy mayo and sweet pineapple was enough to make me forget I was eating pork (which I could have sworn I didn't love, though I'm starting to notice a pattern here). It's obvious why they brought this back, and I hope it will continue to be a festival mainstay for years to come. 

Belgian waffle with berry compote and whipped cream, Belgium

You might be thinking, "So what? It's just a waffle." Well, that may be. But it was one darn good waffle. These babies were served fresh, and piping hot, with a delectable compote sauce and perfect dollop of whipped cream. And after eating all of those meat dishes, this is just what we needed. Just wonderful.

Beef empanada, Argentina

Here in D.C., we have a place called Julia's Empanadas. It's most often frequented at 3am, when one wants to fill one's tummy with a fried concoction to balance out the night's surplus of cocktails. This was not one of those empanadas. This was an amazing, melt-in-your-mouth dish, with a warm filling and light crispy crust. Muy bien.

Stay tuned for what I thought were the worst dishes from the Food & Wine Festival, if you can forgive my tardiness on the subject!

Happy eating!

Listen: Snow White Gets Remixed

I came across this song while listening to one of my indie playlists. I thought it was just another dance remix, but imagine my surprise when I listened to the words...

Disney Detox: Eating Healthy in the World

I was a pig this weekend. A no holds barred, never ever full, kind of pig. Ever have one of those weekends? It was rainy, so we were stuck inside. We had just stocked up on some chips and dip (never a great idea, even if it is for preseason football), and the temptation was just too much. So while I sit here watching the season finale of Falling Skies, and contemplate how I can get back on the nutrition track this week, I got to thinking of the healthiest ways to eat in Disney World.
There are so many food options throughout the Disney resort: After the first couple of days, it's easy to get sick of the chicken fingers and french fries that you grab on the go (unless you have the power to stay healthy the whole time, in which case I envy you). J and I always end up hitting our limit on the fried foods, and opt for the fresher, cleaner options about halfway through our vacation. Now, if we could just avoid the junk in the first place, we'd be off to a much better start. So my goal for this October (minus the Food and Wine Festival goodies, naturally), is to make a valid attempt at a healthier, fresher Disney diet. And here are some of my favorite food and snack spots that are going to make this goal a heck of a lot easier.

Harambe Fruit Market

Source: flickr.com via b on Pinterest

Aside from the soft pretzels, which are always a favorite snack of ours, Animal Kingdom's Harambe Fruit Market offers trail mix, pineapple, and - one of the most delicious autumn snacks - apples and caramel.

Columbia Harbour House

Source: flickr.com via b on Pinterest

Pleasantly tucked away in Magic Kingdom's Liberty Square, Columbia Harbour House is my favorite spot for a fresh-tasting lunch. You can have your chicken nuggets and eat them too, but I'd recommend opting for the Lighthouse sandwich (hummus and slaw), and the Anchors Aweigh (tuna). Plus, if you can snag a window seat upstairs, you've got a great view of park visitors venturing in and out of the Haunted Mansion.

Anaheim Produce

Another typical fruit strand a la Disney, but this one resides on one of my favorite fictional streets: Sunset Boulevard. Grab a hot soft pretzel if you must, but the gems here are the frozen lemonade and decent selection of fresh fruit. This is a great spot for a mid-afternoon snack in Hollywood Studios.


What are your favorite spots for a fried-free nosh? Do share!

Modern Family and High Heels in Disneyland

Did you catch last week's episode of Modern Family? The whole gang took a day trip to the Happiest Place on Earth. We learned that even Gloria can't wear heels to the Magic Kingdom (though they do seem to solve an issue for a certain toddler), how Abe Lincoln prolonged Jay's marriage, and even had a laugh about the child  "leash." It was great - I recommend it to anyone who loves Disney, even if you don't watch Modern Family. I guarantee you'll be hooked on the show with one episode, though. It's always a funny and heartwarming treat.





Happy watching!

(Let's Hear it for the Boys)

We've seen multiple instances of our favorite Disney Princesses as cover girls, and now, their heroic better halves are getting a turn. Take a look at these magazine covers, created by Petite Tiara. Each is more swoon-worthy than the last.

Best headline: "How to Deal with Crazy Sister-In-Laws"

How many of you knew that Snow White's Prince Charming was named Ferdinand? 

The always-handsome Prince Eric looks uber-cool on the cover of Men's Journal

I find Prince Philip to look a bit on the femmy side. Thoughts?

Pocahontas' man looks ruggedly handsome of the cover of Details

Could Aladdin be a candidate for Time's Person of the Year?

Perhaps the coolest of all the covers, The Beast shows his split personality on National Geographic

My personal favorite, the handsome Prince Naveen shines on the cover of Best Life. Jazz music!

To see more and to check out Petite Tiara's blog, visit petitetiaras.tumblr.


Happy Swooning!

(Hats Off to You)

What is it about an Orlando vacation that drives us to try on all manner of hats? Even as a typical germaphobe, I lose all sense of how many heads each hat has undoubtedly graced, just to get that one photo that will forever live on my Facebook page. I, with the courage that typically only comes with the help of a liquid libation, run straight to the nearest, most wonderful hat and instantly throw it atop my head. It is from that point that I shout to my husband, "look at me, take my photo!" And, if I come to the conclusion that there are too many "hat photos" of yours truly, poor J must step in, and honor those vows that we spoke on our wedding day: "I promise to love and cherish you, and to take ridiculous, embarrassing pictures in Florida." Come to think of it, I wish that had really happened. Vow or not, he does manage to humor me on every trip. So without further ado, take a look at one fabulous hat photo collection:

2006, from left: then-MGM Studios; Epcot's Olympic chapeau; Mickey's Philharmagic; Epcot, again; Rainforest Cafe, Downtown Disney; Stitch's Great Escape! Magic Kingdom 

2007, from left: Team Mickey Athletic Club, Downtown Disney; Rainforest Cafe, Animal Kingdom; "Mexico," Epcot; Raglan Road, Downtown Disney

2008, both at Mickey's Star Traders

2009, from left: Epcot's Mexico; "Morocco," Epcot; Animal Kingdom

2010, top to bottom: World of Disney, Downtown Disney; Brown Derby Hat Shop, Universal Studios Orlando

2011, Disney Cruise Line, Mediterranean 

Do you have any fantastic and/or embarrassing hat photos? Send them on!

Happy chapeau-ing,

(Eli's Going to Disney World!)

My beloved NY Giants have gone and done it again! Today, Eli Manning will be cruising right down the middle of Main Street, U.S.A. in grand style.

This celebratory parade has been a tradition since Disney first started airing commercials featuring the popular phrase, "I'm going to Disney World!" Spoken after winning the big game, these players have not only been from the wonderful game of football, but also from other sports and American Idol.

The series was launched in 1987 with none other than NY Giants quarterback Phil Simms, after winning Super Bowl XXI.

While I have yet to find this year's commercial online, I am sure it won't be long before it blows up YouTube (to be posted here later). What's funny to note is that I saw the commercial for this first time while writing this blog entry only a few moments ago. I can't help but tear up just a bit when I hear those wonderful words.

Happy Celebrating!

(What to do with no Picnik?)

I'm a little late to the game here as many bloggers and photography fiends have done their fare share of venting about this, but a few weeks ago, I received the most disturbing news to my inbox:

I can't describe how terrible I felt when I read this. As someone who really loves her camera, this is an awful shame. Picnik really held its own among the best of editing programs, and was a joy to use -- incredibly user friendly and equally inexpensive (a premium membership cost $24.95/year).

So...what now? Google+ users will have some features of Picnik available to them, it appears.I don't mind sharing photos with friends on the social media platform, but I would like the option to edit them and download them to my computer as I could with the previous version of Picnik. It isn't immediately clear to me how this new option is going to work.

I would love to hear your suggestions on a great replacement. We have until April 19, 2012 to take advantage of Picnik - I urge you to do so!

And here's hoping that my dramatic sound-off is all for naught - Google did promise bigger and better things, didn't they? Let's hope that they deliver in time for my October 2012 trip to Disney World!

Happy editing (while you still can!),

(Why Can't We Be Friends?)

I found these great photos on Trendhunter.com - illustrated by Ingrid Aspock, they show long-time enemies putting aside their differences and spreading the love. Which is your favorite? I bet you can guess mine!

This illustration makes me long for this to come back.

Happy Hugging!

(Happy New Year!)

photo courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

It has certainly been a while since I've made my last update, and time seems to have gotten away from me. What with the holiday season taking up more than enough time, there have been parties and travelling back to North Carolina and New York - and I got the most amazing new job, filled with great people and tremendous opportunity. If the first few weeks have been any indication, it's going to keep me busier than I have been in a long time, and I welcome the work. Of course, this doesn't mean that Disney isn't ever at the forefront of my mind. As a matter of fact, when I have a moment to spare, I find my mind drifting off to a special place in the Magic Kingdom, or a memory of our last Disney Cruise. It's a steadfast part of my life, no matter where we end up moving or what we happen to be doing. My moments of Zen will have to be reserved for weekends, when restaurant reviews, style guides and trip updates will be made from now on. But for now, take a look at some of my favorite news updates that happened while I was gone:

•  Some big changes are coming to Downtown Disney
• The renewal of Disney and GM's alliance will bring us a re-imagined Test Track
• 2012 is a leap year, meaning an extra day in the Disney Parks
• Updates on the Disney Fantasy
• The Little Mermaid celebrates 20 years
• Heather Marks wears Mickey ears on the cover of Elle France

Happy New Year!

(Happy Holidays!)

Wishing a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of my favorite Disney fanatics out there! May you enjoy your families and get everything that you wished for this year...including a chance to see that gorgeous castle all lit up in lights! Here's hoping that we make it there soon!

Happy Holidays,

(Extracurricular Activities: Water Park Fun & More)

B & MOM, May 2007.

When planning your Disney vacation, you have the glorious opportunity to add the Water Park Fun & More option to your base park ticket. I suggest you take that opportunity. For ages 10+, a 7-day Park Hopper ticket will run you $322 (current Dec 2011 prices). With the aforementioned option, the price increases to $377. That's merely a $55 difference that you have to pay to experience a whole other world of Disney. 

The Water Park Fun & More ticket option allows to to experience two water parks, DisneyQuest and admission to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. It also used to include admission to Pleasure Island (le sigh). That's a whole lot of extra for 55 bucks. If you're planning on staying 7 nights in Disney (or 8 or 10, which is always recommended), it's suitable to say that time will allow you to explore a bit outside of the 4 main theme parks. My suggestion, coming from someone who isn't super crazy about water parks, is to start with DisneyQuest.

With friends, March 2006.

DisneyQuest, billed as an indoor, interactive theme park, is fantastically fun for all ages. We have always enjoyed going at night to coincide with a trip to Pleasure Island, but DisneyQuest opens at 11:30am daily. The fun starts right when you enter - this is probably one of the coolest elevator rides I have ever taken (not counting the Tower of Terror, obviously). No spoilers here - I trust that you will take the opportunity to try it for yourself! 

DisneyQuest's Virtual Jungle Cruise

The most popular attractions here are without a doubt CyberSpace Mountain and Pirates of the Caribbean - Battle for Buccaneer Gold. I will never try CyberSpace Mountain simply because my body just can't take an overload of motion simulators, but the line is always pretty long for this one. Guests get to build their own rollercoaster (make it as scary as you want - they insist!) and then proceed to "ride" their design. I have heard pretty good things about it, but like I said...no way will I ever do this. Pirates of the Caribbean is a different story - this attraction is phenomenal! In a photo above, J and I are wearing some crazy looking goggles - be prepared to do the same when you participate in Pirates. Your team must decide who does what - someone steers the ship, another mans the cannon, and yet another must ward off evil pirates! What I love about DisneyQuest is that this really is a place for families to play together. Working as a team is a big theme here and I really appreciate the underlying values that DisneyQuest promotes (whether intentionally or not). 

Wonderland Cafe, 2007.

Be sure not to miss my two favorite DisneyQuest attractions; Virtual Jungle Cruise and Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters. Remember, if lines appear long, they move just as fast. I've never really had an issue with queue times. If you're looking for something a bit more low-key, DisneyQuest has an entire floor dedicated to some good old-fashioned Arcade Games, including my personal favorite, AIR HOCKEY! If you've played yourself silly until the point of starvation, fear not - Wonderland Cafe and Food Quest are two fantastic dining options that DisneyQuest has for you. OK, enough with the information overload. I could really go on about this place for a very long time. JUST GO! For more information on DisneyQuest and to add the option to your park ticket, visit here.

Blizzard Beach

The next stop on your glorious adventure beyond the Disney theme parks is a just-as-fabulous water park. You have two options: Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon - or both. When I was 7, on my very first trip to Disney World, I was bowled over by a giant wave at Typhoon Lagoon. I required a trip to the park's first aid center, and while I may have been a very dramatic seven-year-old, the park has since been ruined forever. So...that leaves Blizzard Beach for me! How could you not love this place - snow in Florida? In the summer?! Fantastic. The legend of Blizzard Beach is as follows:

      "It was a meteorological phenomenon of the strangest order. One balmy day, a freak winter storm developed 

       over the western end of Walt Disney World Resort and covered the area with a thick blanket of powdery 

       white snow. Before you could say "hot cocoa," plans were underway for Florida's first ski resort.

      Ski lifts were put up, toboggan runs were laid down and an entire resort area blossomed around the mountain 

      of snow. Yet before the first skier could strap on a pair of boots and stick his poles into the snow, the 

     temperatures returned to their normal Florida levels, and the powdery snow quickly turned into slippery 

     slush. The ski resort operators saw their dream melting down the hillside. Yet that's not all they saw.

     As the slush began cascading down and pools of water began to form, an echoing "yahoo" was heard from 

     the summit of the mountain. Everyone looked up to see a playful alligator careening down the melting hillside.

     He slid to the base of the mountain and landed in a pool of water with a thunderous splash. They knew at 

     once that they were back in business.

     Slalom courses, bobsled and toboggan runs became downhill waterslides. The creek of melted snow that 

     formed at the base of the mountain became a relaxing tube ride. The chairlift carried swimmers instead of 

     skiers. The ski jump became the tallest and fastest water slide in the world. The ski resort became known as 

     Disney's Blizzard Beach, the most slushy, slippery, exhilarating water park anywhere!" (All Ears)

And what a delight it is. As water parks go, Blizzard Beach is the cream of the crop. With attractions like Summit Plummet (a living nightmare of a waterslide), Downhill Double Dipper and my personal favorite, Teamboat Springs, you have a whole day's worth of fun. I mean, how many other water parks have chair lifts? There is also a good variety of food options here - nachos (what else?) at the Cooling Hut, a Blizzard Dog at Avalunch, a Grand Margarita from Polar Pub and some mini donuts from a place called..Mini Donuts, the possibilities are endless. All you need is your bathing suit, some sunblock and a waterproof camera for those memories, and you've got yourself a great family day and some fun in the sun.

J says" Spend a day at Blizzard Beach!"

Adult admission for a day at DisneyQuest is $43.67. A day at Blizzard Beach will cost you $52.19. So, you do the math...the solution is clear that it's worth your money to add the Water Park Fun & More option to your ticket. Even if you don't use all of the options, or you don't spend the entire day at one of the water parks, it just makes good sense. Some people don't realize that Disney has so much more to offer than just the four main theme parks. There are even some people who think that the Magic Kingdom IS Disney World. Yikes. We know better than that, don't we? :)

What is your favorite extracurricular activity at Walt Disney World? Your favorite DisneyQuest attraction? Send me your comments!

Happy Exploring!