Disney Bucket List- Fall 2014

This is our second trip to Disney World in 2014 and the shortest trip we have made as a family.  We will be at the parks for just FOUR days.  I used to think that four days was the perfect amount of time... 4 days/4 parks it should be plenty of time boy was I WRONG.  We plan to pack a ton of stuff into our four days before heading off for a 5 night Disney cruise.  Just as the rest of my Disney bucket lists this is not a Disney "must do" list, this is a list of new things that our family plans to enjoy while we are there.  I don't stress over the list and I have yet to complete everything on one of my lists.  As a Disney Vacation Club owner I plan to visit often and eventually I will cross them all off.  I choose my list by selecting a mix of items that are there for a limited time, the resort that we are staying at, and new things for us to try.

1. Festival of the Fantasy Parade- Earlier this year Disney World started a new afternoon parade called Festival of the Fantasy.  The parade celebrates many of the Fantasy Land characters such as Peter Pan, Captain Hook, Flynn Ryder, Rapunzel, Ariel, Cinderella, Bella, Minnie, Mickey, and many others.

2.  Attend Hollywood Studios FROZEN Summer- I was excited to hear that this limited time only event had been extended that included dates of our vacation.  It includes special events such as a Frozen Sing-a-long, ice skating, treats, parade, and an evening fireworks spectacular.

3.  Bay Lake Tower-  This is our "home" DVC resort, but we have never stayed there as a family.  I stayed there with the kiddos a few years ago and I am excited for all of us to stay.  The proximity to Magic Kingdom make it one of my top places to stay.  Something about being able to walk there makes everything so much easier.

4.  Moma Melrose's Ristaurante Italiano -  I like to try at least one new (to us) table service restaurant while visiting the parks.  This restaurant is located in Hollywood Studios so we have decided to to the Fantasmic Lunch package to guarantee a see for the show with out using a fastpass for it.  Italian food is one that that my kids will definitely eat so it is a perfect choice for my family.

5.  Enchanted Stories with Belle-  Since I have two boys you are probably wondering why I have included this on my list.  I am taking a recommendation from a friend.  She said that it is very interactive and her children LOVED it.  I hear it represents the magic of Disney to the fullest and I want to know more!

6.  Seven Dwarfs Mine Train-  This is the newest ride addition to Magic Kingdom's Fantasyland.  It is a rollercoaster designed for everyone over 38 inches tall that is themed around the beloved Snow White.  It is extremely popular right now since it just opened in the spring so make sure you schedule a fastpass.

7.  Silhouettes of Kids- I am always looking for the perfect souvenir to take home from WDW.  My go to items are a Christmas ornament and lots of great pictures.  This time I plan to have the kids sit for a few minutes at Magic Kingdom to get this keepsake completed.  I am not sure of the price but from what I have read it should be less than $30 for both kids.  I will be sure to update with details like price and location when we return.

8.  Go on a Disney Cruise-  This has been on my BIG bucket list for A LONG TIME!  We actually booked this cruise 18 months ago and the fact that it is so close is giving me butterflies in my stomach.  We chose to do 4 days in the parks and then take a relaxing cruise after.  I am prepared to be WOWed!

9.  Family Picture on the Monorail-  We love all forms of Disney transportation because it means that we are in our happy place, however, the Monorail holds the top spot.  It is a ride all in itself.  I have pictures of my kids on the Monorail but none of the whole family.  Believe it or not, this might be the toughest item on my list.

10.  Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party-  This is a special ticket event that is held select dates in September and October.  It is a Halloween party complete with costumes, trick-or-treating, special character appearances, parades, dance parties, and fireworks.  We are currently working on our costumes and I will share them later.

11.  Mickey Kitchen Sink- Last year we tackled the challenge of the Kitchen Sink at Beaches and Cream at the Boardwalk resort.  This version of the kitchen sink is available at the Magic Kingdom and is is slightly smaller so maybe just maybe we will be able to finish it!

12.  Country Bear Jamboree- There are still 15 of the original attractions from opening day at Walt Disney World.  The Country Bear Jamboree is the last one of the 15 that our family has to do to have completed all of them.  Technically I saw the animatronic show as a kid, but I plan to officially check it off the list with my family.  It is an any height attraction that is one of the last attractions that was actually developed by Walt himself.

13.  Dole Whip-  Many people have a long list of their favorite snacks at WDW.  I bet most lists include this delicious treat.  I have tasted fellow Magical Mom Sherrie's Dole Whip, but this time I plan to enjoy my own.  It has even been suggested to me that I add some rum.  Shhh... don't tell.

I know that this list may seem long and ambitious for a short trip, but I plan to try my best.  I will update you when I return from the world!

Best Place for Ice Cream at Disney World- Beaches and Cream

Mickey Ice Cream Bars and Mickey Ice Cream Sandwiches are available at many vendor kiosks throughout the Disney World Parks, but there is only one place where you can get The Kitchen Sink- Beaches and Cream Soda Shop.  Beaches and Cream Soda Shop is located at the Beach Club Resort near Storm-A-Long Bay Pool.  It is a cute 50's style ice cream shop.  The menu includes items like burgers and fries, milkshakes, and signature sundaes.  The Kitchen Sink is their featured menu item.  My children refer to it as the "Ice Cream Challenge."  It is 8 oversized scoops of ice cream and all the fixins.  The toppings included cake, brownies, Oreos, candy bar pieces, hot fudge, caramel, cherries, bananas, strawberries, and a few others.  And if that isn't enough... A WHOLE CAN OF WHIPPED CREAM!!!!  You can get the giant sundae exactly as the menu describes or you can customize it.  We didn't get the mint chocolate chip ice cream, instead we substituted the flavor of the month- chocolate fudge brownie.  Before the waitress brought the sundae to our table, she turned down the lights and turned on a bright revolving light.  She then proceeded to parade our GIANT sundae around the diner, while exclaiming exactly how much goodness was included in the sundae.  When she shouted and "and a whole can of whipped cream!" the entire place repeated it back to her.  She presented the monstrosity to our table with a large serving spoon and individual bowls and spoons for each of us.

My kids were amazed at the size of the sundae and shocked that we let them eat as much as they wanted.  We didn't finish it, but we had fun trying.  I made it clear that I didn't want anyone to get sick and that we did NOT have to finish it.

Just recently Beaches and Cream started accepting Advanced Dining Reservations.  It is a popular place in the evening for a late night ice cream treat after the Illuminations Fireworks.  The place is relatively small.  It has about a dozen tables and counter seating.  There is an arcade right next door if you find yourself having to wait.  Don't forget to try one of their delicious fountain sodas with the flavor of your choice.  My recommendation- the Cherry Coke!

The cost of the Kitchen Sink was $29.99, which isn't exactly cheap but it could feed at least 6 ice cream lovers! (1/2014)  Some items on the menu are eligible for certain Disney Dining Plans.

This is the perfect place to add some additional fun to your Disney World Vacation.  The atmosphere was adorable, the service was great, and the Ice Cream was AMAZING!  I can't wait to go back again.... with a few more mouths to help us eat all the ice cream.

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Snow Cream

This is the weather that we have been waiting for all winter! Today was the day, the Lewis Family FINALLY had snow (and a snow day).  The weather man has been teasing us for the last few months saying that we would get a few inches here or there, but he was always wrong.  Today we got a little more than a few inches so we are celebrating with ICE CREAM!  A few months ago, a friend of mine was telling me about how her children LOVE to make Snow Cream.  I had never heard of it before.  I grew up in Ohio with LOTS of snow, so I figured I knew everything about snow.  I guess I was wrong.  How could I not know about the super fun kid friendly activity?

Evan catching snow flakes on his tongue

Nathan and Daddy making the base for our snowman

Nathan taking a break from shoveling

Ingredients:

• A Bowl of Snow (make sure it's clean snow!)
• Vanilla Extract
• Milk or Cream- I used a combo of Milk and Heavy Cream
• Sugar
• Sprinkles, Mini Chocolate Chips, Crushed Oreos, or whatever Mix In you would like

I actually used our ice cream makers, but I think next time I would either not freeze the bowls for the ice cream maker or just use my electric hand mixer.  Nathan could not stop talking about what flavor he was going to make next time.  I didn't know how to tell him that he was going to have to wait until next winter because spring is right around the corner.