Haircare, Skincare, Cosmetics... oh my!

Welcome to the beauty edition of Dazzle Me, Disney! In this post I aim to tell you how to protect your hair and skin while at the parks, the best remedies for cooling down at the end of the day, and how to keep your make-up looking fresh for 12 hours. I've been at this Disney thing for a while and I've made a lot of mistakes along the way - don't be like me! Heed my advice and make sure to keep your body protected while spending long periods of time in the sun!

Without further delay, let's begin. Before you can decide what you'll need for your trip, you need to figure out where to put everything. If you're a member of the ipsy subscription service then you probably already have a bunch of little cosmetic bags that aren't being regularly used. Take this opportunity to pack your cosmetics together based on brand, color, use, etc. Or follow my example and throw everything into one bag (I usually place it all on the vanity counter when I get to the hotel anyway!) Pictured below are my favorite cosmetic bags:

left: ipsy bag (monthly subscription $10), right: plastic cosmetic bag (Gordman's $5)

On the left is the most recent ipsy bag and it's a new favorite because of its size. It can be folded over or packed to the brim and it's so cute! The bag on the right is a cheap option from a discount retailer (I think this one was found at Gordmans). I like it because it's plastic and will protect my clothes in the suitcase from any leaks. It's also somewhat transparent so if TSA decides to search my bag then they won't have to spend an extra five minutes looking through my cosmetic bag to figure out what I've got.

Next, hair supplies. I keep these items separate from my cosmetics because they are in larger bottles. Lush has a fantastic line of shampoo bars and conditioners which are perfect for traveling - I swear by these products! They are all natural and super easy to use. After I get out of the shower, I spray my hair with Kevin Murphy's Staying Alive conditioner and brush it through from root to ends. I've worked a long time to get my hair long and healthy so I can't risk breaking it now! I normally allow my hair to air dry - I know, I'm one of the weird ones that refuses to use a blow dryer. Trust me, my hair and scalp are much happier for it! After my hair is dry, I will use OGX's Orchid Oil before any heat styling products or sometimes swap it out with Kevin Murphy's Shimmer Shine as a finishing spray. Both provide UVA/UVB protection and are great for color treated hair. 

left: Kevin Murphy's Staying Alive Leave-in Conditioner (Blush Studio Salon, $27), center: OGX's Orchid Oil (Ulta Beauty, $7), right: Kevin Murphy's Shimmer Shine (Blush Studio Salon, $23)

Some people swear off make-up while in the parks but I love taking pictures and want at least a little definition to my eyes and face while on vacation. I will stop here and say - I am NOT an expert with make-up! I still don't know if I'm properly contouring my face and only recently bought the correct brush for that purpose. I just do what makes me feel pretty but, most importantly, I try to use products that won't melt off of my face. I've been through plenty of trials and tribulations on this last point and have finally found the combination that works for me. 

left: Neutrogena Healthy Defense Moisturizer (Ulta Beauty, $16), center left: pur-lisse BB Cream (ipsy subscription $10), center right: IpKn BB Cream (ipsy subscription $10), right: The Body Shop Tea Tree BB Cream (The Body Shop, $20)

First up, moisturizer. I am one of those adults with acne-prone skin and I thought for the longest time that moisturizer would make me break out. WRONG. In fact, moisturizer helps in so many ways because it keeps my skin healthy! I like Neutrogena's Healthy Defense with SPF 50. It goes perfectly under primer and foundation and it doesn't make my face feel heavy. I then layer on a primer (pictured below) and I choose between e.l.f.'s Tone Adjusting Face Primer or Smashbox's Photo Finish Primer depending on whether I'm currently experiencing a breakout or redness (e.l.f.'s product is great at evening out skin tone). Once the primer is dry, it's time for foundation. I use a BB cream because it's not as heavy as most liquid foundations and it offers additional SPF protection. Pur-lisse and IpKn are great options for added protection against the sun. If I plan to spray my face with sunscreen throughout the day then I may opt for The Body Shop's Tea Tree BB Cream because it's ideal for blemished skin. The final stage of this application is concealer; I have a few acne scars on my face and I swear by e.l.f.'s HD Lifting concealer. This stuff hides everything and it's only $3! 

left: e.l.f. Tone Adjusting Primer (elfcosmetics.com, $6), back: Smashbox Photo Finish Primer (Ulta Beauty, travel size $16), front: e.l.f. HD Lifting Concealer (elfcosmetics.com, $3)

Once my face appears like a blank canvas and I'm happy with the coverage of my make-up, I turn my attention to my eyes. The biggest complaint I had about make-up is that eyeliner and eyeshadow always seem to crease or get wiped off throughout the course of a hot day at Disney. Behold, eye primers! Put a dab of Hard Candy's Eye Shadow Primer or Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion on your lids, let dry, then apply your favorite colors and let the primers work their magic! I'm also a fan of Hard Candy's 1,000 Lashes mascara primer because it makes my lashes look incredibly long and holds the mascara more firmly.

left: Hard Candy Eye Shadow Primer (Walmart, $5), center: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion (Ulta Beauty, $20), right: Hard Candy 1,000 Lashes mascara primer (Amazon.com, $12)

But what about eyeliner? Sometimes the soft self-sharpening pens melt and make your face look like a racoon! I've long since ditched my drugstore favorites and I am exclusively hooked on the eyeliner pens I've received from my ipsy bags. These pens are easy to control and, best of all, they last all day without any smudges!

top: Mary Kay Lash Intensity mascara (Mary Kay, $18), second: (Ulta Amped Lashes mascara (Ulta Beauty, $10.50), third: Eyeko liquid eyeliner pen (ipsy subscription $10), fourth: Ciate eyeliner pen (ipsy subscription $10), bottom: Hikari eyeliner pen (ipsy subscription $10)

I'm not a mascara snob at all - in fact, I think the Hard Candy mascara primer could make any brand look fantastic - but the Mary Kay Lash Intensity and Ulta Amped Lashes mascaras are my favorites and usually reach for these when I want my lashes to stay perfect all day.

I know we've skipped some things like contouring, eyeshadow, and blush but these items are completely up to you and should stick all day if you've used the face and eye primers as explained above. The final step to my beauty routine is deserving of its own picture because it's really THAT important! Drum roll.....

left: Blistex Deep Renewal SPF chapstick (Walmart, $2), right: e.l.f. Makeup Mist & Set (elfcosmetics.com, $3)

Makeup setting spray and SPF chapstick! Trust me, you'll want these items in your bag for sure because if you do nothing else in this blog, at least try to set your makeup with a specialized product that will do its best to keep your foundation from streaking and running. Go ahead and pack that SPF chapstick in your park bag, as well, because you will need to reapply it at least every hour to keep your lips from getting sunburned. These items are only $5 total and that, in my opinion, is a small price to pay to keep your face looking brilliant all day long. 

Let's say you've followed every bit of advice here and you still arrive at your hotel with a sunburn and tired feet - I've got a remedy for that! These aren't part of the beauty routine but they will definitely save your sanity before heading back to the parks the next day. Aloe Vera is a great solution for sunburned skin and it feels even better if you put it in the refrigerator to chill before applying it! I've been a fan of peppermint leg cream and foot spray for years, but I think The Body Shop has the best version of this item. Shower or soak in the bath, dry off, then spray the peppermint goodness on your legs and feet before relaxing into bed. You'll wake up the next morning invigorated and ready to start a new day!

left: Aloe Vera body gel (Walgreens, $3), right: The Body Shop Peppermint Cooling Foot Spray (The Body Shop, $10)

That's it for today's post! Let me know if these tips work for you or share your own secrets - we owe it ourselves to take care of our bodies!

What's in Your Park Bag?

Part of the planning process for any amusement park is deciding which bag/purse to carry and what to put in it. Most parks feature thrill rides that require the use of a locker for stowing belongings but Disney has a unique solution on most rides that will allow you to put your bag at your feet or in a mesh pouch attached to the ride itself. The mesh pouch is closed by velcro and is usually quite trustworthy. The only situations that require a little extra planning are the rides where your belongings may get wet (Splash Mountain, Kali River Rapids, etc) and those that go upside down (Rock n' Rollercoaster, California Screamin').

First, we'll explore the type of park bags we like to use. If you're going to be pushing a stroller then you will have a lot more room to store things than the rest of us so go ahead and take as much as you can pack. Anyone without a stroller will need to consider the size of the bag they want to carry and the absolute necessities for a day at the park(s). We consider ourselves minimalists but there are some super efficient people out there that put our good planning to shame. These are the fanny-pack-toting people of the world, and most have upgraded to the new running belts. No idea what I'm talking about? Take a look:

These handy belts can be found at a lot of stores now - even Groupon and Walmart. Prices start at $10-$15 and they appear to be a good solution for someone that just needs the basics. I have not tried them myself yet but it's a very attractive solution! The best part is that these belts can hide under your shirt so nobody has to know you're wearing one, which may mean that you don't have to go through bag check at security (the same as putting these items inside cargo pockets on your pants) and it may keep you safer in the parks by not advertising your belongings.

Another minimalist solution is the cross-body bag. This often functions as a purse but is small in size and is meant to wear across the body for comfort and security. These bags aren't designed to hold huge wallets so be sure to plan accordingly and only take what you'll need. I will often use the cross-body bag on days when I don't feel like reaching for Patrick's backpack every 10 seconds to grab my phone or chapstick.

Similar to the cross-body bag, Disney also has a few options available in their souvenir stores and online. My favorite is this Haunted Mansion-inspired cross-body smartphone bag that is big enough for a phone, an ID, and a credit card or two. I tried to fit my phone in this case on my last Disneyland trip and I am sorry to report that my iPhone 7 was too big. There were plenty of other options, though!

And finally, we arrive at my final suggestion: the trusty backpack. A lot of families take backpacks into the parks and stuff them full of snacks, wet wipes, hand sanitizer, and sunscreen but the person tasked with carrying those heavy bags often appears worn out by midday. As mentioned, Patrick carries our backpack most of the day but we never pack our bag full and we try to utilize a small daypack whenever possible. The only time we upgrade the size of our bag is when we need to carry an extra pair of shoes (planning for water rides, usually). Remember, if you have a MagicBand then your room key, credit card, park tickets, and fastpasses are already on your wrist and that takes a lot of the necessary items off of your park bag list!

Next let's talk about securing your bags on certain rides. I'll keep this brief because you'll have to find what works best for you but we've found that keeping your bag completely dry on a water ride is nearly impossible. You would have to hold your bag on your lap and be completely covered by a poncho to accomplish this feat but most Disney castmembers won't give you enough time to make it happen before sending you to your watery doom. Disney parks have lockers available so if you are carrying something that absolutely can't get wet and can't be placed in a plastic bag inside your park bag (medication, important documents, etc.), then you may want to consider stowing your belongings for a short time. 

Rides with inverted loops are another concern and I mostly mention them because I nearly lost my bag on Rock n' Rollercoaster my first trip. Since then, I've learned to either keep my cross-body bag on my person (if the cast member doesn't find it unsafe) or loop the straps of the bag around my feet. Make sure all zippers are closed, too!

Now we'll move on to the main topic of this post - the packing list for a park bag. For this purpose, we'll consider the options that everyone could use and then move on to more customized suggestions. Here is what we take in our bag on an average day:

• chapstick with spf
• sunscreen (usually a spray bottle for easier application)
• band-aids
• sunglasses (worn most of the day)
• allergy, headache, routine medication
• park maps
• phones
• identification (especially if planning to partake in adult beverages)
• backup credit card in case MagicBand doesn't work or systems go down
• snacks, water, gum
• plastic ziploc bags to keep phones dry on water rides

Families may also consider taking the aforementioned wet wipes and hand sanitizer, necessary baby or toddler items, souvenirs that have been purchased ahead of time (to save money from not buying them in the parks), and tissues. I'm sure there are items I've missed but please let us know what you take to the parks so we can all benefit from this learning experience! I'm always looking for a more efficient way to carry my stuff in the parks and I would love to get your feedback :-) 

Disney World May 2017 Trip Update

countdown courtesy of timeanddate.com

I promise to provide more general information about Disney planning but I've received a lot of feedback that suggests my personalized planning posts are helpful, as well. Please let me know if this approach gets old or boring!

I try to be as transparent as possible about my planning strategy and pass along as much information about discounts as I can. Our next trip to Orlando was decided in haste, which has provided me with less time to track pricing trends and keep up with discount codes. I think we're still getting a pretty decent deal on most of our plans but I'll let you be the judge of that.

Without further delay, here are the details of our next Disney World trip...

Dates

We chose the first week of May (2nd - 9th) because it's late enough to miss spring breakers, early enough to miss the summer breakers, and still falls within the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival timeline (our main objective for this trip). You may remember that I made a similar trip in 2015 when I traveled to Orlando May 1-10th and we had a fabulous time! I don't recall heavy crowds then and I'm hoping that holds true this year.

Airfare

We booked our flights through American Airlines on October 18, 2016 and paid $387 per person roundtrip between SGF and MCO. We had to fly a major airline because we are not utilizing a rental car on this trip and Disney's Magical Express only retrieves passengers from the MCO airport. I don't think $774 was a terrible price to pay considering our origin airport is a tiny blip on American Airlines' radar.

Ground Transportation

I hope to provide a more thorough review of Disney's Magical Express ("DME") once our trip is complete but we are very excited to utilize this option in May because we've heard mixed reactions and want to finally see what all the hoopla is about. On the one hand, DME will get our checked luggage and deliver it to the room for us but they have also caught flack for taking several hours to do so. It's a free service, though, and I don't think anything beats "free" at Disney.

Hotel

The lovely BoardWalk Inn is where we will rest our pretty little heads in May. We have a few other Disney resorts on our shortlist of places to stay but this one had the best travel agent rate available at the time of booking. We paid $1856 for seven nights in a standard room (roughly $265/night for a deluxe resort). This is very nearly the same price that we paid for the Contemporary Resort last year and it was worth every penny. There were a few things we had to consider when deciding where to stay this time: proximity to parks, transportation options, dining variety. We won't have a rental car for this trip so we wanted to make sure we would be close enough to the parks - or at least a variety of transportation options available - so we won't be stuck taking the resort bus everywhere. Also, the lack of a rental car means we can't go offsite for cheap food so we need to have lots of options near the hotel to accommodate our cravings. We narrowed the choices down to BoardWalk Inn and the Cabins at Ft Wilderness but ultimately decided to stay at BoardWalk Inn due to its ease of access to Epcot - which is where we will be spending a lot of time on this trip. I think we'll fare nicely in a room this size:

photo courtesy of Mickey World Travel

Tickets

I've said it time and again but we don't buy parkhoppers and that works just fine for us. We like to immerse ourselves in one park per day and the transportation between places takes too long. For this trip, we've decided on a 6-day ticket for one park per day ($735 total on undercovertourist.com using the MouseSavers.com discount link) and a 1-day water park ticket ($115 on Disney's website). We bought the park tickets and water park tickets separately because we couldn't find a third-party site that offered the blackout date pricing and they also didn't guarantee we could get into both Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon on the same day. Erring on the side of caution, we decided to get these tickets from Disney directly and it actually saved us some money. The standard park tickets were cheaper through a third-party, though, and that's primarily because Disney charges sales tax on top of the base price, which drives the total up. 

Itinerary

This is always subject to change but I'm fairly certain this will be our itinerary for the trip:

• Tuesday May 2 - Arrive 12:30pm, Epcot, Via Napoli dinner
• Wednesday May 3 - Animal Kingdom, Boma breakfast, Tiffins dinner (Rivers of Light package)
• Thursday May 4 - Hollywood Studios, quick service dining all day
• Friday May 5 - Water parks, Yachtsman dinner
• Saturday May 6 - Kona Cafe brunch, Epcot, Tokyo Dining dinner
• Sunday May 7 - Magic Kingdom, Be Our Guest lunch, Liberty Tree Tavern dinner
• Monday May 8 - Epcot, San Angel Inn lunch, Via Napoli dinner
• Tuesday May 9 - departure 6:00am

We've also assigned a host of FastPass options for the park days but we used the tactic that works best for us - picking popular rides early in the morning so we can assign more FastPasses while we're in the parks. Most of our choices closely mirror the options we selected on our last trip, which can be found in this post. 

Special Events

We are very excited to return to Epcot's Flower & Garden Festival; we loved the Food & Wine Festival last fall but it seemed to offer a lot of food at a lower quality level than what I have experienced at Flower & Garden Festival....it also didn't help that I have been craving Beijing candied strawberries and Frushi (fruit sushi) since 2015. You can probably already guess, but these are the reasons why we booked the May 2017 trip with such haste. I'm sure I'll devote a future post to Flower & Garden Festival plans but we are planning to eat, walk, and eat some more! We're also looking forward to the new Rivers of Light show at Animal Kingdom and crossing our fingers that Pandora will have a soft opening while we're there.

Total Cost

And now the information you've probably been waiting to hear; this all sounds great but how much is it going to break the bank? I've calculated a total of about $4,700 for two adults, including food and beverages. Normally we would spend 10 days in Orlando but this trip is seven days and will count as our honeymoon, as well. Keep in mind, I've been to Disney on a much smaller budget and enjoyed it just as much! The biggest expense for this trip is the hotel because we're trying to stay in deluxe properties while we have the means to do so.

Upcoming posts include a glimpse into our backpack for park days and a discussion on make-up/skincare/hair care in the humid Florida heat. You won't want to miss this information!

Tips for Room Requests and Pixie Dust

I've had a lot of questions over the past few years but the one that keeps popping up is this: "how do you get so much cool stuff for free when you visit Disney?!" Pull up a chair because I'm about to share all of my tips and tricks for finding pixie dust on your next vacation!

Step 1: Preparation

The first step for any organized trip is to make sure you've got your ducks in a row. This means picking the perfect dates and, if you want freebies, find something to celebrate! We all have a great reason to celebrate each day because we've been blessed with another morning to wake up and enjoy life but push that enthusiasm to the max at Disney and you're bound to be noticed by a cast member! Try combining your next trip with a birthday, anniversary, graduation, pregnancy/adoption announcement, or any other special event and plan accordingly! There are lots of ways to fit Disney into life's celebrations!

Whatever you do - whether you're pairing a special event with your Disney trip or not - I absolutely recommend a TouringPlans subscription. For about $15/year, you'll have access to itinerary and fastpass recommendations, a stellar crowd calendar, dining reservation finder, and their exclusive room reservation fax service. TouringPlans has photos of the view from almost every room/angle at each Disney resort and they can help you find exactly the location you want to request through their user-friendly virtual maps. Once you've got your perfect room or location selected, TouringPlans will allow you to customize a fax message that they'll automatically send to the resort for you about three days before check-in. This service is amazing because it guarantees that a cast member will physically retrieve your request and increases your odds of snagging the perfect room.

Here's what it looks like from the TouringPlans dashboard:

Select "configure fax"

Add your message - the room will be auto-populated if you select it from the map

We aren't picky people when it comes to room locations but we've had a few requests over the years and they have almost always been accommodated. A request for a king bed turned into an upgrade to a signature suite on our last trip!

Even if you don't use TouringPlans, you can still fax your own room request to your resort and make sure to mention your special event. You can also bring it up at the front desk if you prefer to chat with the cast members face-to-face.

Step 2: Advertisement

The cast members won't know you're celebrating if you don't make it known! There are plenty of ways to draw attention to yourself at Disney and potentially snag free stuff. Customized, matching shirts are a fun way to let cast members know that you're part of a group or visiting for a special occasion. Family reunions, school trips, annual vacation - you can pick any reason to make a shirt and let the world know you're happy to be at Disney! Pro tip: matching shirts also make it easier to find your group if you lose anyone in a crowd.

What better way to drum up interest in your event than to plan it at Disney?! Retirement party, engagement proposal, girls' trip - you name it, Disney can help you celebrate it! Make a restaurant reservation or ask for a PhotoPass photographer's help in capturing your special moment and you never know who might notice - a cast member might just offer you free dessert or souvenirs!

I'm saving the best advertisement for last: buttons. I'm such a huge fan of buttons that I don't think I'll ever go to Disney without one! 

Disney offers their own buttons for free but there is a limited selection and you may not find a message that perfectly fits your special occasion. In those instances, you would want to grab the generic "I'm Celebrating" button and use a permanent marker to add your own message at the bottom. Another cool idea is to browse Etsy or other online shops to find custom buttons or Disney's retired designs to find something that matches your style. Check out these buttons for examples:

Disney offers a 'Happily Ever After' button for romantic occasions but my fiance found these more specific engagement buttons on Etsy for a few dollars each

Disneyland retired the "Just Married!" buttons in 2016 but I found a pair on eBay for about $15

We received free souvenir lantern mugs at Animal Kingdom while wearing our Just Engaged! buttons and free beignets at Disneyland by sporting the Just Married! buttons. It really works!

The most important thing to remember is that a trip to Disney is magic in itself; anything extra is pixie dust and it won't happen every time. Savor the fun moments when you get the room you requested, get upgraded to nicer accommodations, or receive an item for free because that means a cast member went out of their way to make your experience extra magical. And, as always, be sure to write up a nice compliment card for any cast member that makes your visit special because it's always nice to pay it forward!

Disneyland Review Feb/Mar 2017

Introducing Mr. & Mrs. Ramsey!

It's so good to be home! We don't have the professional photos from our wedding yet but I've included a snapshot that my dear friend's husband captured while we were exchanging rings. Table Rock Beach in Laguna Beach, CA is beautiful and you should definitely stop there if you're ever in the area!

In other fun news, Disney upgraded our standard room to a signature suite at check-in! We got a heaping cup of pixie dust on this trip and it won't soon be forgotten. The cast member that assisted us at check-in, Dalton, was a really great guy and super funny and helpful. He likely noticed that we had bags under our eyes from our 3am alarm to catch our flight that morning, but he treated us like VIPs the whole time. I've included a few pictures of the room for your viewing pleasure:

According to Disneyland's hotel reservation site, a standard one-bedroom suite runs about $735/night and this was the Newport Suite, which is considered a signature accommodation. Signature accommodations require booking via phone because price and availability are not provided online. We probably got at least a $3,000 upgrade all thanks to Dalton's compassion and kindness.

As for the hotel itself, Paradise Pier was pretty great. We especially loved the smell of suntan lotion every time we entered the lobby and the digital elevator system was super efficient! Each bank of elevators includes a screen where you select your destination and it directs you to a specific elevator. It took the guesswork out of finding which elevator would open for us and it usually decreased our wait time by quite a bit. The layout of the hotel is a bit confusing; we were on the third floor but couldn't find a consistent set of stairs anywhere. One set would lead us outside but left us at a pair of locked doors. I'm sure we could have searched a little more if we had some extra time but for now I'll just say that the layout was not friendly for first-timers. We only dined at the Surfside Lounge for breakfast but the cast members were extremely friendly and the food was delicious. We paid about $20 total for a hefty breakfast burrito and croissant sandwich (a steal by Disney's standards!)

Dining throughout our stay was certainly a major focus for us and we weren't disappointed. Unfortunately, I don't have many pictures from Steakhouse 55 but it was an excellent experience with the best service I've ever received! Our group of six ordered the pork belly and mushroom ravioli appetizers; wagyu beef, filet, chicken, and lamb entrees; and scalloped potatoes, truffle macaroni and cheese, and asparagus side dishes. Patrick and I ordered the wagyu beef, which was cooked perfectly to order and literally melted in my mouth. The best steak I've ever had! And the kitchen provided us with these little samplers before our appetizers arrived:

So cute and fancy! 

The Steakhouse 55 experience was hard to beat, but we stopped by the limited-time-only Red Rose Taverne to check out the new menu and take pictures of the Beauty and the Beast-inspired interior. 

We ordered the pulled pork flatbread and grey stuff to share - both of which totally blew us away! The pulled pork is in a vinegar-based barbecue sauce, which was slightly spicy but incredibly flavorful. They grey stuff had a slightly sweet biscuit on the bottom which wasn't exactly delicious but the grey stuff was most definitely the star of the dessert show.

We joined a couple of friends for dinner at Cafe Orleans and ate to our Cajun hearts' content. The Monte Cristo sandwich was a hit, as always, but the chicken gumbo crepe, fried green tomato sandwich, and vegetable ragout also did not disappoint. We shared our meals across the table and got a good taste of everything. I ordered the fried green tomato sandwich and it delivered a huge burst of flavor with each bite. The remoulade used on the sandwich pulled all of the ingredients together like magic. Patrick ordered the vegetable ragout and he noticed that the bell pepper notes stood out the most. The corn cake in the center of the dish was delightfully sweet and contrasted nicely with the peppers.

Our server at Cafe Orleans delivered even more Disney magic with a surprise order of Mickey and Minnie beignets for the newlywed couple to share!

The beignets are a very special treat - you can get them at New Orleans Square in Disneyland or Port Orleans French Quarter resort at Disney World. During the holiday season, Disneyland will often serve special beignet flavors like peppermint or gingerbread, too!

Our final dining experience was lunch at Carthay Circle Restaurant in Disney's California Adventure. This was our first time visiting this restaurant, and I am certain that we will return again and again. The first floor is a replica of the original Carthay Circle Theatre, which is where Snow White debuted in 1937. The ceiling of the restaurant depicts the forest from Snow White:

Service was a little shaky but our server was very friendly and helpful. The food took more than the anticipated time to arrive, however the restaurant provided more than enough detail for us to enjoy looking around while we waited. We started with the signature fried biscuits, which oozed white cheddar, bacon, and a hint of jalapeno! They were served with an apricot-honey butter that was definitely not needed. For our entrees, Patrick ordered the Grilled Angus Tri-Tip and I played it safe with the Carthay 8oz Angus Burger. Patrick insisted that the Tri-Tip meal rivaled Steakhouse 55 with its blue cheese risotto and generous mushrooms portions. My burger was pretty average (I definitely should have ordered something else!) We also enjoyed a couple signature non-alcoholic drinks, Twin Bill and Wildberry Lemonade. The Twin Bill (lemonade, iced tea, and agave nectar) was a sweet drink but very refreshing. The Wildberry Lemonade was slightly tart and defied all standards of lemonade with edible garnishes and superior presentation.

The parks were probably less crowded than usual but the ongoing construction for Star Wars Land has restricted access to several walking paths, which funneled a large number of guests to one area. We generally tried to avoid the construction zone and found that the rest of Disneyland was quite enjoyable. Disney's California Adventure, however, was a different story. We checked the refurbishment schedule about two weeks in advance and realized that a lot of attractions would be closed - namely, Grizzly River Run, Tower of Terror, and Mickey's Fun Wheel. What we did not know is that Disney updated the refurbishment schedule a day before our arrival to add that World of Color would ALSO be cancelled for refurbishment. Anyone that has heard my tales of Disneyland knows that World of Color is my absolute favorite and I would return to California just to see this fantastic presentation of water and lights. Unfortunately, that didn't happen on this trip and I was devastated. With so many attractions closed, most of the interest in California Adventure turned to Cars Land and its main ride, Radiator Springs Racers, had fastpasses sold out just an hour after park opening. The line to get a fastpass was nearly two hours long on its own! This is the first negative experience I've ever witnessed at Disneyland and hope that it's just a reflection of poor planning and not an indicator of a bigger issue with park management.

Overall, our trip was fantastic and the Disney experience was delightful. We turned our short California Adventure day into time spent at our resort, which was the perfect opportunity to enjoy our suite. We're sold on the idea of staying onsite at Disneyland and can't wait to book our next trip at Grand Californian or the Disneyland Hotel!