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Dine and Dish

Food blog with family recipes

October 14, 2017

5 Ways to Rock Your Happy at Walt Disney World

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 It’s no secret that Walt Disney World is the happiest place on earth. After a recent trip, I’m sharing 5 Ways to really Rock Your Happy when visiting.

5 Ways to ROCK YOUR HAPPY AT WALT DISNEY WORLD
Last month I had the opportunity to be a guest of Walt Disney World with a group of talented friends and bloggers. It’s no secret that Walt Disney World is considered the happiest place on earth, but to some people it can be somewhat overwhelming. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of my 5 most favorite ways to Rock Your Happy when visiting Walt Disney World. Of course there are way more than 5 ways to find happiness at Disney, but I wanted to share some of my most favorite. Let me know what you would add!

Magic Kingdom Happily Ever After Dessert Party

Happily Ever After Dessert Party and Fireworks

The Happily Ever After Dessert Party and Fireworks spectacular is a special add on event at Magic Kingdom that is definitely worth it for dessert lovers. For the Happily Ever After Dessert Party, you are given a special wrist band and led into a room with an all you can eat buffet of every kind of dessert imaginable. From gourmet ice cream sandwiches to cheesecake bites to an array of beautiful cupcakes, you’ll find everything to curb your sweet cravings at this event. The best part is, with the price of your dessert party wristband, you get special, exclusive seating for the most amazing fireworks and animation display I have ever seen.

Happily Ever After Dessert Party

Disney has outdone themselves with a full on spectacular show of fireworks, music, and colorful castle projections. This was seriously the most beautiful show of this type I have seen and the entire evening at the Happily Ever After Dessert Party and Fireworks Show was truly magical. In fact, there’s a possibility I may have cried I was so happy. All happy tears, of course!

The cost for the dessert party is $59 for Plaza Garden viewing ($35 ages 3 to 9); Tomorrowland Terrace is $79, $47 ages 3 to 9 and you do need to reserve your spot ahead of time.

Animal Kingdom Lodge Safari Room

Stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge

You know that your hotel is a good one when you are at Walt Disney World and you don’t even want to leave your room! Friends, I had the awesome luxury of staying in a Savanna view room at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and I cannot recommend this experience enough. Waking up to giraffes, zebras and all kinds of other wildlife right outside your balcony door is a pretty amazing thing.

Giraffe at Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge

I was a bit obsessed with the giraffes that liked to hang out by my room. In fact, one evening they were out and I just couldn’t force myself to go to bed because they were right outside my balcony. Seriously, how could I sleep when these precious animals were right there? Eventually they had mercy on me and went to bed which means I eventually got some sleep.Animal Kingdom Lodge at Night

Animal Kingdom Lodge was a truly “rock your happy” experience for me. I can’t recommend it enough.

Epcot International Food and Wine Festival

Visit the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

This was my second year visiting Epcot during the International Food & Wine Festival. As a food lover there is no better definition of Rock Your Happy than being exposed to hundreds of foods from around the world in one spot. Whoa.  –> Click here to read about my Epcot Food and Wine Festival experience last year. 

Cronut from Epcot Food and Wine Festival

This year some of my favorites were the Cronut, Creme Brûlée,  New England Lobster Roll, Spicy Chicken Bao Bun, Kalua Pork Slider, Brazilian Cheese Bread and the shaved ice (it was so hot and this was so refreshing). These selections are only a tip of the iceberg of what you’ll fine at the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. Check out a full list of the foods you can experience, here.

The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival runs for several weeks each year during the late summer and early fall. The 2017 season goes every day from August 31st until November 13th (a record 75 days!). It’s definitely a must experience to rock your happy!

Tower of Terror

Ride the Happiest Rides

Everyone is going to have different opinions of this but for the ultimate Rock Your Happy experience, make sure to ride the following rides.

Hollywood Studios: This park has two of my all time favorite rides. One is the Tower of Terror…a ride I was truly terrified to ride the first time – but ended up laughing the entire way through. There is just something about this ride that makes me so happy (even though it is a tad bit terrifying). Also, The Rock ‘n Roller Coaster. If you love fast coasters and Aerosmith, this is one of the BEST! Finally, a bonus Hollywood Studios ride that’s not fast or scary but is just so darn fun is Toy Story Mania. If you get through this ride without cracking a smile, something is wrong with you. Just saying.

Animal Kingdom: If you are a Disney fan, you’ve probably heard about the newest addition to Animal Kingdom… The World of Avatar. This new area includes two incredible new rides, but the one I was in absolute awe over was Avatar Flight of Passage. This 3D ride is an incredible experience, virtually riding on the back of a mountain banshee while soaring above the world of Avatar. This is a fast pass must, as the ride is really popular (but worth the wait, I promise). As long as you’re in Animal Kingdom, make sure to head over to Expedition Everest for a thrilling coaster experience!

Epcot: OK I’ll be honest… I love Epcot but it’s less about the rides and more about the food and culture experiences. However, you cannot go to Walt Disney World without riding Soarin’. This is a 3D experience like no other, full of the sites, sounds and views of major scenic attractions across the world. Do not miss this ride!

Magic Kingdom: There are so many fantastic rides over at Magic Kingdom, but when I’m on a limited time schedule, my absolute must hits are Space Mountain, 7 Dwarfs Mine Train, It’s a Small World and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

Gingerbread S'Mores

Experience the Holidays at Walt Disney World

While visiting Walt Disney World this time around, we got a sneak peak at all the happy plans in the works for the holiday season. There are so many awesome things, but here are a few I think will rock your happy.

Ganachery

First of all, all throughout each of the parks, chefs are hard at work developing the most delicious desserts and menu items for the holiday season. Some of my favorite items are coming out of Disney Springs this year, including Gingerbread S’Mores, peppermint macarons, hazelnut star trees and more. In addition, if you are over at Disney Springs during the holiday season, make sure to check out the expanded Christmas Tree Trail. We got a sneak peak of the decorated trees being featured this year and I promise, they will rock your happy indeed!

In addition to all the great holiday themed food, the merchandising department at Disney is hard at work bringing us some really cute Disney themed items for the holidays. Look for the new pom pom Mickey ears (as seen on my friend Kristan), as well as Minnie purse ornaments, ceramic Disney themed Christmas trees, customized stockings and more. I can’t wait to visit Walt Disney World sometime over the holidays to see the magic of Christmas merged with the magic of Disney. What a rock your happy experience that would be!

Disney Bloggers at Hollywood Studios

Walt Disney World truly is one of the best places to “Rock Your Happy”, especially when experienced with friends (Kristan, Stephanie, Deborah, Julie, Shelly, Amanda and Jenny pictured above). Tell me, what are some of your favorite happy experiences at Walt Disney World? I’d love to know what you’d add to my list!

Disclosure: Thank you so much to Walt Disney World for sponsoring this trip and for providing food, lodging, as well as unique park experiences. All opinions expressed are my own.

 

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Filed Under: Previous, Travel Tagged With: animal kingdom lodge, disney, disney springs, epcot, epcot food and wine, magic kingdom, pandora, travel, walt disney world

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says

    October 15, 2017 at 9:15 pm

    How incredible that you were able to see giraffes right from your room! Amazing! The firework show sounds super fun!

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      October 15, 2017 at 9:25 pm

      Isn’t that incredible? Would it be weird to say that was one of my favorite parts of this trip? And everything we did was amazing, but it’s impossible to beat out waking up to giraffes outside your balcony! I was so happy!

      Reply
  2. Robin says

    October 16, 2017 at 11:33 am

    We are supposed to go to Disney next year. I can’t wait. I haven’t been since my Senior trip in high school.

    Looks like fun.

    Robin

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      October 16, 2017 at 12:12 pm

      Awwww it’s changed so much! I hadn’t been since 6 grade until this past year and have now been 4 times in a year. Crazy, right? I can’t wait to hear about all the fun you’ll have!

      Reply
  3. Aggie says

    October 19, 2017 at 12:59 pm

    The fireworks show is my favorite. I need to go back and see it again soon.
    I also need to go eat some more at Food & Wine!!

    Reply
    • Kristen Doyle says

      October 19, 2017 at 10:34 pm

      Tinkerbell at the end was everything!!

      Reply
  4. Jane |OilDoffuserZone| says

    December 10, 2017 at 3:49 pm

    Oh, I have the same red ears, my daughter is crazy about them

    Reply

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Kristen-125Hi friends, I'm Kristen! Mom of 4, Ambassador of Happiness, Coffee Lover and Connection Seeker. Come say hi! Read More…
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I believe that in order to live a happy life, you have to make happiness happen through implementing simple things that make you happy into every day. Here are a few of the things that bring me happiness - I hope they do you too.

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Have you ever been creatively stuck?
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December 2019 my absolute favorite camera lens fell out of the cabinet I keep it in and shattered in a million pieces. I cried for days and days. I barely picked up my DSLR in 2020 because I just felt so uninspired. I couldn’t get the shots I was visualizing in my head with the lenses I had. 
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Nick and the kids replaced my favorite lens as a Christmas gift and I’m ecstatic to be shooting again! I joined my incredibly talented friend @kimklassen creative photography Inner Circle for extra inspiration this year. Assignment 1 out of the gate and I already feel eager and excited about photography again! (You can see my “tell a story through multiples” in my Instagram story.)
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Three cheers for bursting with inspiration again, after all this time.
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@kimklassen_innercircle #monthofmultiples #meyerlemon #foodphotography #photoinspiration #createeveryday #thesmallthings #everydaybeauty
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Last year I couldn’t believe I was old enough to have an 18 year old. This year I look in the mirror and see someone old enough to have a 19 year old. This past year has been a lot and man, it has physically aged me! But one things solid and firm...I love my kids and am so proud of them! The resilience Jacob has shown this past year has impressed me...”graduating” high school, starting college, all when things have been so up in the air and unsure. And never once complaining about it. My kids haven’t lost a thing this year...instead they’ve gained so much they wouldn’t have gained without this experience. I’m so proud to be their mom. Happy 19th birthday @jacobdoyle02 We are fiercely proud of you and love you so much!
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#happybirthday #thisis19 #gotchaday
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I always read so much in the last couple weeks of the year, I could never have my “best of” choices finalized. Christmas break is my favorite time to read read read!
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I’m finishing up All About Us and The Prettiest Star, and then have this awesome stack to tackle! What should I read next? So many good ones to choose from! Will any of these make my 2020 top ten? 
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Feeling festive with @ella.r.doyle & @kelly_k_doyle ! 🌲 
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This is the recipe my sister-in-law uses and it is the BEST tasting, no fail sugar cookie recipe. It’s from a really old issue of @tasteofhome magazine with a frosting recipe she wrote down in the margin. I could eat so many of these and never get tired of them! If you want the recipe let me know and I’ll dm you the picture! Is making decorated cut out cookies one of your Christmas traditions?
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It’s a book giveaway! I often get people asking me for book recommendations. Talking books is one of my favorite things to do! So when @librofm gave me the opportunity to give away three audio copies of any audiobook I wanted to, I knew immediately which book I wanted to share.
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@roblowe book, Stories I Only Tell My Friends is the audiobook I recommend to EVERYONE. It is a book I listened to years ago, not expecting to love it, but I absolutely did. First of all, Rob Lowe narrates...so there’s that lovely bonus. But Stories I Only Tell My Friends is a funny, raw, emotional, informative, peek inside of the life of a really fascinating celebrity.
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I wasn’t a Rob Lowe super fan before. I haven’t watched West Wing (I know, I know), Brothers & Sisters, Parks & Rec, or any of his TV shows, but I have always been a HUGE Brat Pack fan. Well, after listening to this audiobook I am a big fan (and his other audiobook, Love Life, is great too).
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Long story short, I have three codes through @librofm to give to 3 people. To enter, leave a comment on this post by midnight CST on 12/16 telling me what your favorite audiobook is and why! Also, definitely check out Libro.fm - the best audiobook platform that also gives back to local bookstores!
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“I can’t wait for my seasonal depression to meet my year 2020 depression.” 😩
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If S.A.D is something you worry about each year, but especially this year, let me introduce you to my seasonal affective disorder game changer, the @sunrisesensations light therapy lamp. I ordered one of these lamps last year at the recommendation of my friend @leslieradams and it is the best (& most stylish) light therapy lamp I’ve ever used. I absolutely love it and highly recommend it...it’s well worth the money.
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@sunrisesensations has a new, smaller lamp called Bright Box. The size snd functionality is perfect for a nightstand or office desk. Let me know if you have any questions about how these lamps continue to help me fight those pesky winter blues! Check out Sunrise Sensations to find the right UV free light therapy box for you!
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Ella did a thing today!
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@ella.r.doyle #shorthairstyle #shorthair #haircutsforwomen #teenstyle @naughtyouraveragecurl @thewarehouzsalonshawnee  @tijneyewear
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Alright, alright, alright! It’s time to talk about how we can support our local bookstore during the holidays and beyond! As you consider buying gifts this year, make sure you shop local for all the book people on your list! One unique and super easy way you can support your favorite local bookstores is with an audiobook subscription to @librofm Yes! Audiobooks! With Libro.fm you can financially support your local bookstore AND buy audiobooks all at the same time. Each audiobook purchase supports the independent book store of your choice! Do it for yourself and buy some audiobooks for friends too!
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If you need audiobook ideas, hit me up. I’ve listened to so many great books this year that will make it on my top favorites list, including Greenlights by @officiallymcconaughey It’s narrated by the author and is so worth the listen! Your ears will thank you!
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PS my favorite #localbookstore @rainydaybooks is under renovation which makes it even better that I can still safely support them from the comfort of my own home! 
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#ShopLocalBookstores #librofm #LibrofmListeningSquad, #shopsmallbusinesses #bookpeople #greenlightsbook #matthewmcconaughey #bookstores #bookstoresofinstagram #audiobookstagram #goodreadschallenge
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