Top Ten Hidden Gems at Walt Disney World

As I mentioned yesterday, on Tuesdays this summer, I will be sharing trip tips to make your summer family vacations as great as possible. Today, I'll be writing about one of the most visited vacation spots in the entire world. If you've read my blog since the beginning, you probably know that I am quite obsessed with all things Disney. I love the movies and the parks. To help you plan your magical trip, I decided to share my top 10 hidden gems at Walt Disney World. These are in no particular order, except for number one. :)
10. Chip and Dale's Campfire and Singalong- Every night your family can join the lovable Chipmunks at Fort Wilderness Campground for a free campfire and songs. You can enjoy smores for a small price.
9. Epcot Club Cool- Head to this gift shop in Epcot for free samples of pop (or maybe soda in your neck of the woods). This isn't your everyday pop, though. You can sample a variety of flavors from all over the world. Just a warning: not all of them are tasty!
8. Boat ride from Port Orleans to Downtown Disney- hop on a historic riverboat for a relaxing ride down the beautiful Sassagoula River, surrounded by a cool breeze and lush vegitation. Your driver will offer fun facts about the area, and you'll be at the exciting shopping and entertainment complex in about 15 minutes.
7. Hidden Mickeys- this literally hidden gem is a fun family favorite. All over the property, the Imagineers (that's what they call their designers and construction workers, how cool is that??) have hidden Mickey heads. You know. The big circle with two smaller circles on top. You might find them hidden on signs, within show backgrounds or even etched into the concrete. There are guidebooks that leak the location of every single one of them, but I think it's more fun to find them yourself. I'll never forget the first one I found. It was a very small one (about 2" wide) drawn in the concrete in between the parking lot and Planet Hollywood at Downtown Disney. How many can you find?
6. Magical Express- okay, so this one isn't very hidden. But I had to include it. It's one of the many benefits to staying on property. The Magical Express is a FREE shuttle bus that drives guests from Orlando International Airport to their Disney resort hotel. There is an adorable movie shown on the way there that sets the stage for your special trip, and they even take you back to the airport again at the end of your stay. Then, you'll hear your driver say that famous line from the original Mickey Mouse Clubhouse- "See ya real soon".
5. Kid's Clubs- Simba's Clubhouse. Mouseketeer Club. Neverland Club. Cub's Den. Sandcastle Club. Camp Dolphin. What do all of these have in common? They're all childcare centers located right on the property. Sometimes moms and dads like to have some special time on vacation, too. These centers, most of which are open from about 4:00 or 5:00 PM until midnight, provide a meal, fun crafts and games for kids while the parents are enjoying a more grown up dinner at, say, Victoria and Albert's. They're a little pricey, but rest assured that your kiddos will be well cared for.
4. Best Friends Pet Care- can't bear to travel without Fluffy and Fido? Bring them along! While only service animals are allowed in the parks and hotels, you can leave your furry friends at the Disney location of Best Friends Pet Care. You can trust that these animal lovers will take care of your furbabies. They even read them bedtime stories. I'm not kidding. Hershey and Bella haven't stayed here yet, but I want only the best for them, and from what I've heard and seen, this place makes the cut.
3. British Revoloution- Located in the United Kingdom Pavillion in Epcot, this fun cover band performs tributes to epic British artists, including my personal favorite- The Beatles!
2. Kidcot Fun Stops- Also in Epcot, Kidcot Fun Stops are craft stations located at various country pavillions. Little kids can create a fun craft while learning about the nations of our world from the people who call them home. There is no charge for this short and sweet gem.
1. One Man's Dream- I'm not going to lie. This one made me cry. While you may think that the parks are all about riding rides and getting character autographs, don't pass by this self guided tour, located in Disney's Hollywood Studios. This beautiful and inspiring tribute to the man who started it all is not to be missed. You'll have the chance to see original sketches, interesting facts and more. His life story is amazing. Make sure you add this one to your "must do" list.

"I only hope that we never lose sight of one thing- that it was all started by a mouse."- Walter Elias Disney

Apologies and Redirection

I'm sorry for my absense over the past month. I have been super busy with school. Our classes are over now. I just have an online portfolio and reflection to submit and I am done, done, done. Until summer classes start, that is.

If you're still reading despite my lack of posts, thank you.

Here are some pictures from this spring.

This summer, I decided to do an all-summer-long collection of activities that you can do with your family and friends. On Mondays, I will be featuring favorite summer recipes. On Tuesdays, you can read trip tips to make your vacations as awesome as possible. Wednesdays will be dedicated to fun and games. Thursdays will reflect my inner teacher and will be fun activities you can do with your kiddos this summer to keep those brains ticking and to beat the dreaded "brain drain". Fridays will be a random assortment of all things summer including summer movie reviews, Pinterest ideas and more. There might be some days where I venture off topic, and there might be days when I don't post at all, but I'm going to use this as a basic framework as far as the direction I'll be taking this blog for the next few months.

I'll always welcome guest posts. If you have a fun idea that you'd like to write about for any of the categories, just email me at ak360608@ohio.edu and let me know. I'd love to hear from you!

I'm kicking off today by reposting a yummy summer dessert recipe that I shared last summer. It's a family favorite and a must at all cookouts!

Oreo Pudding Dessert

Ingredients:

• One Regular size package of Oreo Cookies (not Double Stuffed)
• 2 small packages French vanilla pudding mix
• 8oz soft cream cheese
• 8oz Cool Whip
• Milk

What to Do:

1. Make pudding with milk (check pudding box to see how much milk you'll need). The pudding doesn't need to be set up just yet. Add the other ingredients first.
2. Add cream cheese
3. Add Cool Whip
4. Mix with an electric hand mixer until well blended
5. Crush enough cookies to thoroughly cover the bottom of a 9x13" aluminum pan
6. Pour pudding mixture over the cookies
7. Chill in refridgerator for several hours to set it up
8. Prior to serving, crush a few more cookies and sprinkle over the top (just for decoration- don't need to cover it completely)

PS: Did you know that today is Hug Your Cat day? Yep! I didn't know until I read it online, but I had already hugged my sweet girl about a million times before reading it. Go give your little furball a big warm one! :)

Happy SUMMER!

Fun at the Zoo

Last Thursday, I went to the Zoo with my first graders. It was a long and unseasonably hot day, but it was the most fun I've had in a long time. Those kids are the greatest. I walked around with 3 precious little girls and I think they had a blast. I know I did! I wanted to share some of our pictures with you. For obvious privacy reasons, I won't be sharing pictures of the kids, but here are some of the animals we saw. Enjoy! :)

Happy Birthday

Happy TENTH Birthday to the best, most amazing, loyal, loving, cutest, silliest, cuddliest and most special best friend anyone could possibly ask for.

Love you to the moon and back, Hershey girl!

Rainy Saturday (Plus Some Other Thoughts)

It's raining today. A Forks-like drizzle that is making my sinuses hurt. It was so, so beautiful outside yesterday. I actually laid out and got some sun.

The elementary school that I've been doing my partnership in all year has only 5 weeks of school left. It's killing me. When I was little, I couldn't wait for summer and would count the days until it arrived. Now, every time I think about it, I get sad. My sweet little first graders are practically second graders by this point. It makes me so sad every time I think about the fact that I soon won't be seeing them all the time. But, man, oh man, they have come SO far this year. I am SO SO SO proud of each and every one of them.

Fest Season has officially started here at OU. Should be loads of fun.

I've been doing Cardio Dance and Zumba several nights a week at the rec center. I am finally starting to notice a difference in my legs and it feels so good!

I thought I'd end by showing you all some recent pictures. Thanks for reading!

Bella the Kitty watching me while I procrastinate on FB

The sweet face I get to wake up to each morning.

Found this little gem while walking to class. I thought it was pretty clever.

I have recently become obsessed with Draw Something. This is my best creation to date.

Bella likes to bat things under the oven. Every time I clean under there, it's like a treasure hunt. This is from my most recent discovery.

Easter.

This beautiful Easter day was spent....

pet basket filling,

egg coloring,

egg finding and cousins racing,

flower stepping (shh don't tell grandma),

candy counting,

candy stained lips cheesing,

 and just all-around family fun. My cousins are the greatest. Praising God for them, for Jesus' amazing gift to all of us, for life and for you. Hope your Easter was filled with many beautiful memories.

Bucket List, One Year Later

One year ago today, I published THIS post. It's a list that my college's program council made, "100 Things to Do Before You Graduate", or as I like to call it, "The College Version of a Bucket List". Since it's been a year since I originally posted it, I thought it would be fun to do a re-post and check off anything I've done in the past year. Do you have anything extra special on your bucket list?

100. Attend International Street Fair
99. Go ice-skating at Bird Arena
98. Meet with your advisor and declare a major
97. Slip on ice during winter quarter
96. Join a student organization
95. Play a game on an intramural sports team
94. Bowl at Rollerbowl Lanes
93. Dress up and attend OU Halloween
92. Participate in Homecoming Weekend
91. Walk into the wrong classroom on accident
90. Go to a UPC meeting on Tuesdays, at 7:30 p.m.
89. Cook and eat at a vegan workshop
88. Watch a UPCinema Movie
87. Become a member of O-Zone
86. Grab dinner at slice night at Courtside Pizza & Sports Bar
85. Find a seat at Shively Dining Hall … Good luck!
84. Go to an open mic night at Donkey Coffee & Espresso
83. Go to at least one event for each sports team
82. Experience Walmart late at night
81. Bring sibs for Sibs Weekend
80. Try Miller’s Chicken79. Hang out on Radar Hill
78. Play golf at the OU golf course
77. Watch an independent film at the Athena Cinema
76. Get involved with the Campus Involvement Center
75. Create a resume
74. Find out about Greek Life and decide if it's for you
73. Play with puppies at Petland!
72. Sing your heart out at a late-night karaoke
71. Stand up and cheer with The Marching 110
70. Chow down on mango salsa from Big Mamma's Burritos
69. Network at a career fair
68. Ride a CATS bus
67. Order D.P. Dough
66. Be a participant in a psychology experiment
65. Attend a Performing Arts Series event
64. Wake up to early morning construction on ANY green
63. Get creative at Beads & Things
62. Do your laundry in one of the residence hall’s laundry facilities
61. Befriend your landlord and sign your lease early
60. Witness the pickle eating contest at Bagel Street Deli
59. Play in a sand volleyball game on South Beach
58. Climb the rock wall at Ping
57. Walk/run/rollerblade/bike on the bike path
56. Apply for an internship or a job!
55. Take a tumble down Morton Hill and count every step up Jeff Hill
54. Rock out at a school concert... For free!
53. Walk in the annual Mom’s Walk for a Cure
52. Experience a dining hall brunch and themed dinner
51. Pull an all-nighter at Alden Library
50. Get serenaded by Singing Men of Ohio and Woman’s Chorale at a concert
49. Be a pool shark at the bottom of Baker Center
48. Complete the crossword puzzle in Friday’s Post without cheating!
47. Find a mentor on the Bobcat Mentor Network
46. Eat Naan at Star of India
45. Read the wall under the art building
44. Check out Galbreath Chapel
43. Go to Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant
42. Smoke hookah at Athens Pyramids Café
41. Say hi to students and parents on a campus tour
40. Go to an art show in Baker Center and visit the art galleries
39. Go on a trip with Outdoor Pursuits
38. Eat lunch on the monument and on the Athens City Courthouse steps
37. Buy some fruits and vegetables at the farmers market
36. Do crafts at The Dairy Barn
35. Hear yourself echo in the middle of the 4th floor of Baker Center
34. Get a huge slice of Good Fellas Pizza
33. Go to Taco Tuesdays at Taco John’s
32. Swim laps in the Aquatic Center
31. Take pictures of the cherry blossoms during spring
30. Soak up the sun at Stroud’s Run
29. Read the literature on the Ellis lavatory walls
28. Kiss someone in the kissing circle
27. Sled down Jeff Hill
26. Experience the history of The Ridges and The Kennedy Art Museum
25. Spray paint the graffiti wall
24. Eat at all the uptown establishments
23. Choose to dance at Dance or Die
22. Visit the Athens Mall
21. Participate in a community service project
20. Explore Old Mans Cave in the Hocking Hills State Park
19. Play a game of putt-putt at The Ridges
18. Take a late-night trip to a buggy
17. Break a sweat in an exercise class at Ping
16. Revisit your younger years and check out 90’s Night on the Green
15. Rent a movie from the library
14. Go to the Fun Barn in Nelsonville
13. Utilize 594-RIDE
12. See a show at The Union Bar and Grill
11. Enjoy all of the Senior Week events
10. Relax during finals with a massage at Ping
9. Be amazed at the Senior Dance Concert8. Leave with an Athens brick
7. Introduce yourself to President McDavis when you see him on campus
6. Walk through the College Green Campus Gate
5. Groove with the piano player on Court Street
4. Trip on the bricks
3. Make the Dean’s List
2. Visit your Alumni Association
1. DON'T STEP ON THE OHIO UNIVERSITY SEAL