The Boyfriend and Best Friend Come to Visit

July 8th was a date I had been looking forward too for quite some time. It was the day my boyfriend and best friend were coming to visit! We had booked to stay at pop century resort (more on that in an up-coming post). I managed to get quite a few days off work, traded away shifts ect, so I got to basically have a little holiday in between my program (apart from working the odd days). On the first night after a little explore of the hotel, we popped to downtown Disney for a wander and a meal at the Rainforest Cafe! The food was alright, nothing too mind blowing but it came very quickly which was a nice surprise, as when I last dined at its sister restaurant The T-Rex Cafe, service was shockingly slow.

The next 10 days were definitely some of the best of my summer. Getting to spend time with Craig and Daniel in one of my favourite places on earth made it even more Magical! The first full day we spent in Hollywood Studios and Epcot, riding rides, exploring and meeting a few characters. The second day was Universal Island of Adventures time, day three I was in work then day four Wet’n’Wild and more Island of Adventures (separate post about that). Finally on Saturday we ventured to one of my favourite parks, Animal Kingdom! The Festival of the Lion King, Nemo the Musical, Kilimanjaro Safari and Everest were the main hits with some other bits thrown in before the normal 4pm Florida Thunder Storm hit (although the first of their visit so far!)

At this point Magic Kingdom was blocked out for guests so unfortunately wasn't on the agenda, something we were all pretty bummed about. But, luck struck! It was announced on the Friday that the block was being lifted on Saturday 13th! Initially we didn't plan to go there until Monday as I was working a 9:30am – 22:5pm on the Sunday (ouch). Though my lovely managers, after I told them my boyfriend was in town, let me go at 4pm! Score! After nipping back to the hotel to refresh myself/change, off we went to Magic Kingdom!

The feeling of jubilation, walking through that tunnel into main street with Craig and Daniel nearly rivalled that of when I first entered Magic Kingdom a month before (not quite though!) That evening we watched Celebrate the Magic and Wishes after doing some rides and me basically giving them a tour of my home park haha! Even more lucky, Sunday meant extra magic hours! The park was open until 1am so we did some Tomorrowland rides and ate at Tomorrowland Terrace (the food there actually making all three of us a little nauseous to be honest).

I think we entered Magic Kingdom every single day after that until their departure on Thursday 18th July. Alot of character hunting entailed (a separate post on that will be coming) after that, mostly in Epcot and Magic Kingdom. Daniel was way too excited to fill up his autograph book ahha!

xox

The Four Park Challenge

Something we had planned to do since arriving in America was the four park challenge! So, on a joint day off we rose bright and early to begin our task. We didn't really have a set rules to be honest. The general idea was ride some rides, get an icon photo and get a fast pass. The plan was Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood studios then Magic Kingdom.

They see me vloggin’…
Anyway, i think the challenge was quite a success overall. We ended the evening with dinner at the Plaza Restaurant and watching the 4th July fireworks (by the end of that week long show I couldn't wait for wishes to return!) I gotta admit, the day was exhausting. We were all well and truly dead by the time the fireworks rolled around.
Of course I vlogged most of the day which you can see below!

xox

Be Our Guest Restaurant

One of the things on my bucket list for the summer was to eat dinner at Be Our Guest Restaurant! The only problem, it gets completely booked up for months in advance. Luckily there are often stand by slots available if you head there at 4pm (possibly some later!) so I’ve actually had the pleasure of eating there 3 times in all three dining rooms (they have now opened up the rose dining room for dinner). The prices are decent but the menu isn’t that extensive. There is only one vegetarian main, ratatouille, which I did get on my first time there. In following visits I got a soup starter as my main.

The decor is beautiful! My favourite room is the ballroom, with it stunning chandeliers to the snowfall scene out of the windows. Be Our Guest also just so happens to be the only place where you can also meet the Beast or “master” as the Cast Members like to say!

I would 100% recommend this restaurant, more so for the atmosphere and theming (although I am left dreaming about the amazing deserts). If your celebrating a special occasion you may also be permitted to try “The Grey Stuff”, it really is delicious.

xox

1900 Park Fare - Character Breakfast at the Grand Floridian

A character breakfast was something I wanted to do while being here, so what could be more appropriate than a British themed affair. The Grand Floridian breakfast plays host to classic characters such as Mary Poppins, Pooh, Tigger, Alice and the Mad Hatter. They work their way around the room taking pictures, signing autographs and playfully interacting with guests.

The breakfast isn’t cheap at $25 a head (plus tip) but the food is actually delicious! It’s a buffet style with many choices for all dietary requirements. We also got tea! English breakfast tea! Major bonus points there.

I would 100% recommend doing a character breakfast in Disney, if only for the experience. I’d love to do another one before I leave next week (boo!) but time off and everyone having money is a thing. Ah well. Breakfast is my favourite meal of the day so this was perfection.

xox

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

One of the top hits on my bucket list for this summer was the Wizarding World of Harry Potter! I’ve been a huge fan of the franchise since I started to read the books at 10 years old. When I first heard of the new themed land in Universals Island of Adventure never did I think I would have the chance to visit it, not any time in the near future anyway. Honestly, it’s one of the main reasons I decided to get the annual pass (which is $261 for the preferred pass if you are wondering).

The land did not disappoint. Apart from getting pretty crowded sometimes, they really did a good job. From the castle looming in the distance to Honeydukes sweet interior. I’ve been there about 5 times now and rode the Forbidden Journey (amazing ride!) 7 times, it never gets old. I’ve even braved Dragon Challenge several times, which for me is a big achievement. I hate rollercoasters!

If you haven’t been before I really recommend checking it out. The rest of Universal is just a bonus, although Disney will always be number one. *grumble about express passes* If you get the annual pass going three times makes it worth it, hello Florida Resident discount. My favourite part has to be HoneyDukes and the castle, love love love.

xox

Star Wars Weekend!

Arriving on June 3rd means we got to attend the last Star Wars weekend of the year, lucky us! I for one adore star wars so was pretty excited to meet some characters and of course, ride Star Tours! I especially loved the hoopla event which went on at the hat in the evening. Baddies > Goodies! What an amazing weekend with some amazing people. Darth’s Mall popped up next to rock n roller coaster for the event which housed many star wars goodies plus a meet with some of your favourite members of the rebellion.

Me and my roomies had only spent a couple of days together at that point but it really felt like we had all known each other for years. Actually love them muchlies =]

Also you should know by now that I vlogged it so check that out below. I'm trying to wack out a few of these posts over the next few days so keep your eyes peeled!

xox

The First Visit To Magic Kingdom

Hey! I know I'm pretty behind with blogging out here, so so busy. I am only around a week and half behind with my vlogs though so check them out to see what I’m upto! Anyway, after traditions we had our first visit to magic kingdom! It was pretty late by the time we arrived, so the evening mostly consisted of watching the Electrical Parade and Wishes from behind the castle. I was a little disappointed we watched it from behind, but the crowds were so huge that we couldn't even get to main street. It’s no biggie now as I watch the show practically every night at work anyway!

A few of the guys were starting training early the next morning so they left while me, jenn, hayley, andrew and ashleigh went on the haunted mansion and it’s a small world. I also tried my first Micky Pretzel before the ELP! Omnom.

You can watch my vlog of the first night in Magic Kingdom here ! I had the day after off so me and Jenn headed to Hollywood studios for Starwars weekend! Stay tuned :)

xox