Devine Fairytale

a magical lifestyle blog

Categories: Disney, Travel

2021 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival: Top Picks

One of my favorite festivals, Taste of EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival begins March 3, 2021! Spring will be in the air and you can find fresh foods, character topiaries, and beautiful flowers throughout the park until July 5, 2021.

Throughout the World Showcase, there will be more than 20 spots to try the food and drink that’s exclusive to the festival. You can find the complete Foodie Guide on the Disney Parks Blog, and I’ll share some of my favorites! The EPCOT Sunshine Griddle is a new outdoor kitchen featuring brunch items that sounds like a perfect new addition. Not to be missed though, longtime favorites like Violet Lemonade and Frushi will be back.

A great way to work your way through the outdoor kitchens is by following along the Garden Graze. The Festival Passport lists five items and with each purchase of those items, you’ll receive a stamp. Once you have all five, you can show your completed passport page at the Pineapple Promenade for a complimentary gift! This is great if you’ll have multiple trips to the festival because you do not need to complete it all in one day.

For the little ones, Spike’s Pollen Nation Exploration scavenger hunt is a fun activity with a special prize once completed. The cost to purchase the map is $7.99 + tax. The Spike and Orange Bird sippers are back this year too!

In the past, the Flower and Garden Festival featured the Garden Rocks concert series, featuring musical acts like Sister Hazel, Rick Springfield, and more. This year will be a bit different as the stage at the America Gardens Theatre will feature local bands from the Orlando area Friday through Monday evenings.

5 Items on My Must-Try List:

  1. Arancini: Sweet Sausage Fried Risotto Balls with Pomodoro Sauce – Primavera Kitchen in Italy
  2. Seared Scallops with French Green Beans, Butter Potatoes, Brown Butter Vinaigrette and Apple-wood-smoked Bacon – Northern Bloom in Canada
  3. Key Lime Tart with Toasted Meringue – Festival Favorites in World Showplace
  4. Shrimp and Grits: Blackened Shrimp and Cheddar Cheese Grits with Brown Gravy and Sweet Corn Salsa – EPCOT Sunshine Griddle in Future World East
  5. Lavender Honey Mustard-marinated Chicken Flatbread with Whipped Honey-Ricotta Cheese, Marinated Vegetables, and Purple Haze Lavender Goat Cheese – The Honey Bee-stro in Showcase Plaza

Do you need some outfit inspo for your trip to the Flower and Garden Festival? Check out these looks linked below! If you shop on ShopMagicallyMegan on Etsy, you can use code SHANNON15 to save as long as it’s not already on sale.

The festival is included with a regular park ticket to EPCOT, just make sure to make a Park Pass reservation for the day you plan to visit! Let me know what new foodie items you tried in the comments so we can know what’s a hit or miss.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Categories: Disney, Travel

Tips to Get a Boarding Group: Rise of the Resistance

Rise of the Resistance is one of Disney’s most incredible rides and you can find it in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios. It is really more than a ride, it’s a whole experience! If you want to ride it, you’re going to need to be prepared and have a game plan because you cannot just walk up to the ride and get in line to wait. You’ll need to access a Boarding Group in order to get on the ride, so let me give you the best tips I know to ensure you are one of the lucky ones!

First and foremost, make sure that you have the My Disney Experience app downloaded and are familiar with using it. You’ll need to have valid park admission linked and a Park Pass Reservation for Hollywood Studios for the day you are attempting to get a Boarding Group. If you need help making a Park Pass Reservation, check out this blog post with some tips. Also, make sure everyone in your travel party is linked and sharing plans through your Friends & Family list.

You will need to use the My Disney Experience app in order to join a Boarding Group (an on-theme term for a virtual queue) and there is not any standby or FastPass+ line to wait in.

So, how do you join a Boarding Group?

The process has changed a few times, but currently (since January 2021) you will need to join a boarding group on the My Disney Experience app at exactly 7:00 am. Boarding Groups will be gone almost instantly, so don’t wait! You’ll need to be ready early. I would suggest having the app open and refreshing a couple of minutes prior to 7:00 am. You no longer need to be inside the park in order to snag a group, you can be in the hotel room, your car, etc. I have had the most success turning off the WiFi when in the park and using my cellular data, but make the choice that is best for you based on what level of service you have. If you aren’t able to get a boarding group at 7:00 am, you’ll have a second shot when the virtual queue opens again at 1:00 pm — you must be inside Hollywood Studios to try to join a boarding group at 1pm.

Here’s the process…

At 7:00 am, on the dot, open or refresh the My Disney Experience app home page. Select join under the Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance – Request Access with Virtual Queue section. The app will show those who are on your Friends & Family list that have a Hollywood Studios park pass reservation. Make sure everyone is included! Click join.

You will see a confirmation screen that will show you a boarding group number along with an estimated wait time. This wait time is not set in stone as sometimes there are delays, so be sure to check in on it.

It’s not overly complicated, however, you just need to have quick fingers to click the join button at exactly the right time.

You will receive a notification once your Boarding Group is called, but you can also see which groups are able to ride on the app and on signs near Galaxy’s Edge. You will have an hour from the time your group is called to scan into the line for the ride.

When your group is called, make your way over to the ride entrance and they will scan everyone in so that you can enter the queue.

About the ride…

Like I mentioned before, this is more than just a ride…it’s an experience. And a pretty amazing one at that! Once your group is called and you go through the line, the attraction in its entirety takes about 25 minutes. There are several different parts of this, but the ride portion is around 5 minutes. This ride has a height requirement of 40″. The ride portion is trackless and is a mostly smooth ride. There is a small drop that you may need to prepare yourself or kids for ahead of time, but it’s over very quickly.

This is definitely a favorite ride of ours. Have you ridden it yet?

You can see all of the latest Disney and Universal updates and my personal adventures over on Instagram @shannondevinetravel. Come say hi!

Make sure to pin this post for later!

Categories: Disney, Travel

How to Make a Walt Disney World Park Pass Reservation

To help manage capacity numbers and ensure that guests are able to social distance, there is a new step you will need to take when planning your vacation to Walt Disney World at least for the foreseeable future.

After you’ve booked your vacation package and have your park tickets (pssst…if you haven’t done this part yet, send me an email and we’ll get you set up!), make sure you have it all linked to your My Disney Experience account. This will allow you to make a theme park reservation through the Disney Park Pass system. This is something that is new and began when the parks reopened in June 2020. All guests over the age of 3 must have both valid admission and a park reservation for the same park on the same date. This is limited to one park per day (park hopping did just become available after 2pm with a valid ticket, but you don’t need a park reservation for a second park at this time). These reservations are limited and subject to availability. If you have multi-day tickets, you will need to make a park reservation for each day. This is something you will need to do in advance and certain parks on certain days DO fill up (Hollywood Studios has been filling up the quickest), I recommend doing this as soon as you purchase your tickets. Also note, this currently can only be done on a website browser and not on the My Disney Experience app on a phone.

There are three tiers of available dates: Walt Disney World Resort Guests, Ticket Holders, and Annual Passholders. You can check the availability calendar, just make sure to select which calendar applies to you!

When you’re ready to make your reservation, here are the four steps to follow:

  1. Make sure you have set up an account on My Disney Experience and confirm your admission is linked to your account.
  2. Create your travel party. Select the family and friends you’d like to include if they’re already on your Family & Friends list or select the option to add a guest if needed. Keep in mind…if you are making park reservations for multiple people, everyone in that party must have the same type of park admission. For example, reservations for Annual Passholders and theme park ticket holders cannot be booked at the same time. Depending on your admission type, you may need to make more than one theme park reservation to include all members of your party.
  3. Select a date and a park. View the calendar and select one of the available dates for your visit. Then select the theme park. It will show the park hours for the day, but you are able to enter the theme park at any time during the day of your reservation. After you select your date and theme park, you can confirm your reservation.
  4. Review and confirm your plans. If you need to make any changes, select “Back” to revise your selections. Before confirming, you’ll have to agree to the Terms & Conditions, including an updated COVID-19 liability waiver. After you’ve done that, select “Confirm” to complete your park reservation. It will then show under “My Plans.” If you need to make another park reservation, you can just select “Make Another Reservation” to continue planning.

While this may not be an ideal situation, especially for spur of the moment trips, it does seem to be working. Let me know if you have any questions I can help answer in the comments or send me an email and we can chat more!

Categories: Disney, Travel

Dinner at Wine Bar George in Disney Springs

Wine Bar George Disney Springs
Wine Bar George

Wine Bar George should be at the top of your list if you’re visiting Disney Springs!

Disney Springs is an entertainment district featuring a variety of restaurants, shops, and activities. It’s a great spot to spend a day off from the parks on your vacation or head to in the evening for dinner and drinks. There is something for everyone! A favorite spot of ours is Wine Bar George. You are able to make a dining reservation on their website as well through your My Disney Experience account or app.

During our most recent Disney trip earlier this month, I was able to celebrate my birthday here with a special dinner. I cannot say enough good things about our experience at the restaurant, from the food to the service, everything was exceptional!

Mask: ShopDisney

The inside features industrial decor with a large bar on the first floor. The perfect spot to sit a grab a drink and small plate because the atmosphere is great! We sat upstairs for this meal. We were seated indoors, but there is also a small patio area overlooking walkway out front and the lake. This restaurant is a go-to spot for adults at Disney.


We were extremely impressed with their COVID-19 safety measures. The menus were contactless and easily accessible by scanning a code with our smartphone’s camera. We saw regular and active cleaning and sanitizing of surfaces as well as socially distant open tables. Our server provided paper bags to place our face masks in once we sat down at our table and were able to remove them. What a great idea! If you’re interested, you can view all of the menu options here.

Wine Bar George Disney Springs Adults Disney Date Night


We started off our celebration by trying the latest venture from George Miliotes (one of only 268 Master Sommeliers in the world), The Hoot featuring Hooten Young American Whiskey.

Former Special Operations Soldier Master Sgt. Norm Hooten and Tim Young have partnered with their closest friends, which includes George Miliotes, to create an American Whiskey that honors the brave men and women of the armed forces. Rare distillation and barrel aging practices, coupled with over a decade’s rest, have produced an American Whiskey with notes of maple, vanilla, ripe apple and a long smooth finish. The Hoot also includes G.E. Massenez Creme de Cassis and a splash of Ginger Beer ($15). This was a great combination that had a hint of sweetness. Although the two of us are not typically whiskey drinkers, we were impressed.

Wine Bar George Disney Springs The Hoot Hooten Young Whiskey
The Hoot

The menu features several options for small plates. Always get the Crispy Mac & Cheese Bites ($12) because they are our favorite! I promise that this option will not disappoint. If you are dining with a group of friends, these starters are perfect to share.

Wine Bar George Disney Springs Crispy Mac & Cheese Bites Small Plate
Crispy Mac & Cheese Bites

We also tried the House-Made Meatballs served with cheesy polenta ($14). This plate was delicious as well. Two thumbs up!

Wine Bar George Disney Springs Housemade Meatballs Small Plate
House-Made Meatballs

Before entrees, we ordered another round of drinks. This time I opted for one of their specialty frozen cocktails, the Friezling ($13) made with Dole Whip Lime, riesling, and vodka. This was my first time trying this and I loved it! Because of the lime, this drink had the perfect amount of tart. I already knew I was a fan of the Frozcato ($13) from a previous visit, a similar frozen drink made with Dole Whip Pineapple, moscato, and vodka. If you love Dole Whip, then these cocktails are a must try. Definitely unique!

Wine Bar George Disney Springs Friezling Frozen Cocktail
Friezling Frozen Cocktail

Wine Bar George (and The Basket next door) sell different variations of branded stemless wine Corkcicles ($35 + tax and includes a complimentary frozen cocktail). If you bring your Corkcicle back, you can get a small discount on a refill! Additionally, these are a great souvenier from your trip and are useful for drinks back home.

Wine Bar George Disney Springs Neon Pink Corkcicle
Neon Pink Corkcicle

The dinner menu features two individual entrees and two family-style plates. We opted for one of each of the individual entrees. One is the Bell & Evans Chicken Breast. This was my husband’s absolute favorite, evidenced by a completely clean plate at the end of the meal.

Wine Bar George Disney Springs Bell & Evans Chicken Breast
Bell & Evans Chicken Breasts

The other option was Santa Carota Short Ribs. The meat literally fell off the bone because these ribs were so tender. I thought that the flavor was incredible and the vegetables and potatoes were the perfect compliment. I could have easily shared this with someone else because this was a huge meal!

Wine Bar George Disney Springs Santa Carota Short Ribs Dinner Entree
Santa Carota Short Ribs


Finally, I was brought out the Key Lime Pie dessert ($7) with a special piece of “Happy Birthday” chocolate and a candle. This was the perfect ending to a wonderful night!

Wine Bar George Key Lime Pie Birthday Dessert
Key Lime Pie

Additionally, Wine Bar George features a Wine Country Brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. They offer some brunch classics, such as Eggs Benedict ($22), Sausage Gravy & Biscuits ($17), and the popular Burrata ($22). We have been previously and will definitely be back!

Make sure to stop by Wine Bar George at Disney Springs on your next visit! Without a doubt, I know you will enjoy your experience.

This blog post features a hosted meal by Wine Bar George; all opinions are my own.

If you’re wondering what a Disney trip is like right now, you can read about our afternoon at Magic Kingdom here.

xoxo Shannon

Wine Bar George Disney Springs Dinner Adults in Disney Date Night

Categories: Disney, Travel

What It’s Like to Go to Walt Disney World Right Now

Walt Disney World in Orlando certainly looks different compared to a few months ago in March of this year.  The four theme parks opened up again in mid-July since closing due to COVID-19.  My husband and I are Annual Passholders and since we were already going to be in town, we decided to try a short visit to the Magic Kingdom a week after its reopening.

Things are changing constantly, so for the most accurate and up-to-date information make sure to check out this website: Know Before You Go

The first step to planning a Disney trip now is checking the new Park Pass Reservation availability calendar to see if you are able to go to the certain park you want to visit on a certain day. Currently, there is no park hopping so you get one park per day. You can leave and come back to the same park on the same day if you want to take a break though. Make sure you select the correct view for the type of tickets you have (or will have)…tickets only, tickets with a resort reservation, or annual passes. You can learn how to make your Park Pass Reservations here.

So, what is it like going to the theme parks with all of the new health and safety measures in place? I’ll admit…it was a little strange, but there is still magic there. I may or may not have teared up when we walked down (an almost empty) Main Street USA to see the new paint job on Cinderella’s Castle.  

To get here though, we parked at the Transportation and Ticket Center, masked up, and went through our first temperature check. It took a couple seconds and we were both good to go on the first check. If you (or anyone in your party) has a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher, you will be asked to wait under a tent and they will check your temperature again. If your temperature is still too high, you will not be able to enter the parks.  

Next was the security screening, which was relatively similar to how it’s been in the past. 

We rode the monorail to the park. Only one family was in each section of the monorail with new dividers in between each normally open section. 


(Note: My husband’s face mask with the valve is no longer acceptable at Walt Disney World.)

To get through the park entrance, all you need to do is scan your Magic Band or ticket. They are not using the fingerprint scanners.

Our first stop was Starbucks and the line had two groups ahead of us. If you frequent this spot, you know this was a huge shock for us! 

We got to see our first Character Cavalcade after we got our drinks with Winnie the Pooh and Friends. They are not currently doing any parades, but instead are doing different cavalcades around the park (basically a small parade but not at a particular time, they just happen randomly throughout the day as to not draw a large crowd).  

Y’all Florida is hot in the summer, so wearing a mask all day outdoors is not fun. Trust me when I say, no one enjoys it. I definitely think if we continue to have park days with these restrictions, they will be short days where we can also enjoy the resort we’re staying at. I would recommend bringing multiple masks for everyone in your party to change out throughout the day. We got some of the Disney face masks (size large for adults) and they were comfortable and not too hot. There are cast members enforcing the new safety measures, as well as announcements every so often over the speakers. 

Here’s Cinderella’s Castle in all of her new pink and blue glory! I’ll admit, I wasn’t sure how I felt about this but it is starting to grow on me.

Mask: shopDisney

Shirt: For the Love of Pixie Dust

We did one of the Magic Shots with a PhotoPass Photographer and I couldn’t believe how empty the park looked once we saw the photos on the My Disney Experience app.

We were able to ride several rides with minimal wait times. Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train with a 10 minute wait??!  There are no Fastpasses, so you’ll need to check wait times in the app and wait in the line with everyone else. Make sure everyone in your party (and ride vehicle if another group is with you – spaced out) wear their masks for the entire ride or you will not get your ride photos on your account. They also did a great job sanitizing all of the ride vehicles on the ones we rode. Some of the queues have plexiglass dividers to block interaction with others in the line, as well as social distancing markers. There are hand sanitizing stands at the entrance and exit of each rides and also throughout the park.

There are several options for mobile ordering. We got lunch from Pinocchio’s Village Haus and it was ready quickly. Tables are blocked off inside to keep everyone spread out. You can also mobile order Dole Whip which was a win in my book!

There are a few relaxation stations where you are able to sit (spaced out) and remove your masks both indoors and outdoors. We checked out the one inside Pete’s Silly Sideshow by Storybook Circus and it was relatively empty and freezing cold. This is definitely a great spot to cool down!

So there aren’t any parades, fireworks, shows, character meet and greets…but Disney has found some fun ways to spread some magic safely. We got to wave goodbye to Goofy, Max, and some other friends over the train station on our way out!

I have seen several people say they felt “safer at Disney than the grocery store,” and while I don’t know that I would go that far, I did feel like the correct safety measures were in place and neither my husband or myself ever felt like we were in a situation that made us uncomfortable.

I’m not here to tell you whether you should or should not go to Disney right now, you need to make the decision based on what’s best for you and your family. I will say though, that I would not recommend taking your (or someone in your party’s) first trip right now. It just isn’t quite the same and you won’t understand what everyone thinks is so magical. If you’re an experienced park goer who has done all (or almost all) there is to do, you are more able to enjoy and appreciate the current situation and still get your Disney fix.

Stay tuned for a post on what items are currently in my park bag!

Have questions? Or would like to plan your own Disney vacation? Shoot me an email & I can help you out: devinefairytale@gmail.com or just complete this form for a free, no obligation quote.

xoxo Shannon

 

Blog Archive